13 Apr 2023 13:33:05
Rumour has it Manchester United are about to become much more interested in Bellingham. Money still an issue though with sale still dragging on.

1.) 13 Apr 2023
13 Apr 2023 16:28:47
Haven't seen you online in a while, next would be Fresh and finally ronnie asking about a supposed 9 year old wonderkid. :D.

2.) 13 Apr 2023
13 Apr 2023 18:55:25
Ronnie's favourite wonderkid is a soon to be 26 year old free agent?.

3.) 15 Apr 2023
15 Apr 2023 02:47:28
Tielemans (spelling) get him. now while he's free.

4.) 15 Apr 2023
15 Apr 2023 10:20:15
To be fair Tielemans on a free would be a great bit of business. On form potentially one of the best midfielders in the league, good age, well rounded, capable of playing as a 6, 8 or 10, great technique, good engine, rarely injured, and EPL proven.

Would give EtH a quality, tactically flexible player and wouldn't eat into the budget, allowing more focus and potentially more money to be spent on other areas that need improvement.

{Ed002's Note - Youri Tielemans (CM) right now he will not sign a new contract so will be available as a Free Agent in the summer. His agent confirmed that there was interest from Real Madrid who are looking for a Luka Modric replacement, but they have turned their attention elsewhere and may well extend Modric in any case. Interest from Spurs may remain. Arsenal remain keen and are in talks with his agent, but are considering others ahead of him and he has been approached by a third party representing Newcastle, who also cannot be discounted. Interest of Manchester United may have gone as they are looking at other midfield options but they will be back if they cannot get their first choice players. I suspect that Arsenal and Newcastle will continue to work on a transfer whilst Leicester continue to try and persuade him to sign a new contract. Wildcard will be Borussia Dortmund dropping interest in others to move for him. He is aware that other clubs, including Liverpool, have scouted the player but not declared an interest.}

5.) 15 Apr 2023
15 Apr 2023 11:37:27
Love seeing the old posters getting a shout out.
I would be happy with Tielemans on a free. With all the positions we need extra support in he could be a cheap option with good upside similar to Erikson.
Would allow us to still bring another midfielder that EtH wants.

6.) 16 Apr 2023
16 Apr 2023 11:23:41
Sabitzer and Tielemans would be smart additions to boost the midfield. That being said I don’t think we will go for 2 in that position given priorities are elsewhere, unless we see one of McFred moving on.

7.) 16 Apr 2023
16 Apr 2023 13:07:53
Eric, we could bring in Sabitzer and Tielemans for less than the 25m or so we would get from selling McTominay.

We'd then go into next season with midfield options of Casemiro, Bruno, Eriksen, Fred, Sabitzer and Tielemans, which would be awesome squad depth in that area.

8.) 17 Apr 2023
16 Apr 2023 22:14:43
I don’t disagree Shappy. But it largely depends on how much work we need to do up front. We’re crying out for at least one striker, who is going to be very expensive whoever it is.

A new full back seems likely (albeit both today were excellent), Sabitzer feels a no brainer to buy, and a new centre back and GK won’t come cheap (ETH might fancy Henderson though) .

Again, I know Ed2 has kindly shared the targets, but so much up in the air. The squad is bloated but not strong in depth, so I’d expect to see a few out this summer first to make some room.

9.) 17 Apr 2023
17 Apr 2023 15:22:43
At the risk of being contentious, I wouldn't touch Tielemans, not even as a back up.

10.) 17 Apr 2023
17 Apr 2023 16:12:57
AJH, ever since Ed001 pointed out his flaws, when i see him play now, It becomes so obvious and I wonder why didn't i see it before. As a friend of mine once said, 'he is an affordable Pogba'

11.) 17 Apr 2023
17 Apr 2023 17:25:05
I wouldn't go near Tielemans.
He's done absolutely nothing for 2 seasons.

12.) 18 Apr 2023
18 Apr 2023 17:46:33
Ed02 do United have a no1 midfield target?

{Ed002's Note - They have a number of options and would move for Bellingham but he will head elsewhere.}

13.) 18 Apr 2023
18 Apr 2023 17:58:25
Such a shame isn’t it. He’s such a talent.
Are the club looking to a player as back up to Casemiro in the defensive midfield role?

{Ed002's Note - Not a back up.}

14.) 18 Apr 2023
18 Apr 2023 20:53:59
Ed02 you’re teasing me. Surely Casemiro isn’t being replaced mate?

15.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 10:59:43
We should be buying players to compete for positions. Not to be sat on a cushy wedge on the bench eating 100k+ a week. I don’t think some understand how to create a winning hungry side do they?
We can’t offend their favourite players now can we.

16.) 24 Apr 2023
24 Apr 2023 01:38:41
Ed, Where is Bellingham heading? Any chance of us outbidding them? Or is it down to the players choice?

{Ed002's Note - Jude Bellingham (CM) Manchester United and Chelsea were keen before he moved to Germany and may both be interested if he comes up for sale. Expect serious interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid as well after Liverpool stepped back. PSG can no longer be discounted as they will now have the funds in the summer and have indicated their interest to the agent handling a potential sale. It is unclear how any club would get on with an offer if not in the Champions League. Dortmund will not be forced in to selling him and will seek a huge fee when he is sold but ideally they would like a new contract to be agreed. I do expect Real Madrid to press for him but may they want to include a player or two in the deal, as they do not value him at anything near what the asking price will be if Dortmund decide to sell. They have held discussions with Dortmund and Real Madrid have set their cap at €100M plus €30M add ons. Else Madrid will prioritorise Gvardiol - but he won't be available this summer. Real Madrid cannot afford Gvardiol and JB and I expect them to prioritise Bellingham initially, but even that will require departures. Four clubs, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Madrid, have declared an interest and perhaps serious talks will begin soon - but don't rule out a significant offer from PSG. Three clubs have been reported for meeting with his father to try and influence a move - leading to Real Madrid and Liverpool formally declaring an interest. However Liverpool can likely now be discounted. Dortmund will probably force a written request from the player (costing Bellingham 5% of any transfer fee). His “representative” wants the player to move to Madrid; his family, apparently, want Liverpool or Manchester City but have also been courted by Madrid. Right now Real Madrid and Manchester City would be the leading contenders if he does not sign a new contract. Liverpool are looking at other more financially more viable options, but need to figure out a strategy for the summer which still seems to be missing. I would discount him joining Manchester United or Chelsea, particularly given Chelsea have a concern over the player and may step back regardless.}

17.) 25 Apr 2023
24 Apr 2023 23:31:29
Thanks for the detailed reply Ed. I imagined he’d be top of Real Madrid’s shopping list to replace Kroos/ Modric instead of going to city, but looks like we’re definitely out of the running. Cheers.