OTF

Off-brand Florian Lejeune.

Saudi Hawaybia

Exactly, it's always money but the club has to be a fit for the player's ambition when that player is highly regarded as Tonali is.

He's a bit too tall and skinny for the midfield if you ask me. Long head also.

These days the authorities have to line everything up before they so much as make.an accusation. Of course it all just ends up petering away in a prolonged legal battle.

Spending big money is really the only way to improve your status dramatically in the short term. I don't think it will be financially effective, but there should at least be a resulting improvement in the domestic players as they are exposed to a higher calibre of footballer. Of course, if those players don't give a toss and are there entirely for the money (rather than 95% for the money) it may end up just taking the piss out of the league. The truth will probably be somewhere in between. They're seemingly willing to throw big bikkies away to have a shot. Not like they have to answer to FFP or anything like that. I actually feel that this is going to make our process a much more fulfilling one. We can't just be Chelsea or Man City spending without limit.

This bloke is much more in the Howe physicality mould as compared to Tonali or Barella. Not to say that our future is only full of tall and physical players. Howe knows that's what we've built our success on, but that as we aim to maintain and improve our standing we'll need to improve our attacking versatility especially as teams are likely to become more and more defensively staunch against us. So someone like Nemcha can slot straight into our team, someone like Barella can evolve and improve the way we play.

Far from being simply used to "revamp and re-market Saudi Arabia" we're part of the diversification of their wealth away from the source of it; oil. It's part of a broader strategy under which divestment from oil and traditional streams of renevue are or will soon be occurring. I'm not suggesting you don't know any of this, just pointing out that they're not throwing money away in a marketing campaign for the country, but rather will be operating the club as part of a broader portfolio that is ultimately designed to maintain and increase their wealth over the long term.

If it means we commit to Szoboszlai this is a goog thing IMO. But the waters have been muddied and my affection diverted my the mention of Barella. Maddison's value IMO has decreased though this season.

Was expecting Dean Windass

Did you see the goal?

Paging Dr. @Monkeys Fist

Wages would be the biggest and most succinct reason. Szoboszlai's wages would fit in our structure, Maddison's would be high but balanced against his proven prem experience. Bruno, Isak and Botman were all younger when they came here. For me Barella is on the next step in his career progression, the move where he will go to his peak wages (in the big 5 leagues anyway).

Quality player but this stinks of no chance of coming off.

The state of Matt Targett's (and I use this term loosely) facial hair.... like a pimply 15 year old.

Release clause is reportedly peanuts

SKWRL

"Involuntary fart was a bit wet in the dark". Modern day Shakespeare. Thanks for the laugh, hope your.. shit.. gets sorted soon!

This on the back:

You can't not post it. Just ask @Monkeys Fist

I don't see the need, seeing as our academy has such a proud history. The Magpies have a proud history of rearing top-class starlets – with Sean Longstaff, Matty Longstaff and Elliot Anderson among the current stars to make the grade after coming through the club’s academy.

I'm on the edge of my Oceanian seat waiting to see whom I should be betting with.