12 Aug 2023 09:21:57
Ed001, who would you now go for considering we'll most probably miss out on MC and Lavia?

{Ed001's Note - Doucoure would probably be the next best option. Though Florentino Luis and maybe Koopmeiners are probably worth a look at. Zubimendi might be an option too. Or possibly asking Madrid about Tchouameni as they need to raise funds for Mbappe?}

1.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 10:41:28
You think Palace is open to sell him Ed? Zubimendi remind me of Alonso, not the way they play because I've never seen him play but because of Sociedad link. You really ok with Tchouameni Ed? He is probably the best option out of all out there even including MC and Lavia. But he has reject us once before.

{Ed001's Note - Palace will sell if the offer is high enough I am sure.

He rejected us to go to Madrid but it has not worked out, no harm in asking if he is ready to make another step in his career to try and restart it.}

2.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 11:02:33
I like the look of Yusuf Fofana too ed. And even though I don't quite see it myself, my Spanish buddies think think we should be all over Valverde to play DM. They think he can be an outstanding DM. Haven't seen enough of him in that position to make that kind of a call and seems an odd one but maybe. Thuram could be developed there.

Add to all the options, I also personally have a hunch Chelsea pull out of Lavia deal after Caicedo if they get him.

Stand the ground until Chelsea out in their improved offer and the asses quickly and go hard for next target.

I hope in the meantime we are working hard on Ignacio deal. Would love him and we still need a CB.

{Ed002's Note - Youssouf Fofana (CM/DM) An apprach from Crystal Palace was rejected by Monaco who told them they will be negotiating a new contract. A potential Houssem Aouar replacement for Lyon. Chelsea have strong ties with Monaco and the clubs have discussed him but he is not first choice for Chelsea. Nottingham Forest interest was turned away with a bid being rejected. West Ham have now replaced Rice so there interest has likely gone unless they lose Soucek or plan to use him exclusively as a CM player. I am not aware of Liverpool interest. Wages might be an issue for some clubs.

Federico Valverde (CM) Real Madrid are ideally not looking to sell the player, previously of interest to Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester United, as they expect him to settle in as a regular as Modric and Kroos are coming to the end of their RM careers. That was explained to Chelsea who enquired when discussing another player. Manchester City have sent scouts to look at him as they look to add to their Central Midfield options. Liverpool interest could return after losing out on Bellingham but right now they seem to have other targets. Player does not want to move on but perhaps an option for Real Madrid to look into selling if they want to push for Mbappe this summer - so he could well leave this summer.

Why would Chelsea walk away from the Lavia agreement?}

3.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 11:13:37
Agreed, start by knocking on RM’s door they are stacked in midfield.

4.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 12:12:01
Ed002, I doubt Chelsea will walk away from Lavia, but if (and it’s a big if! ) we are able to present an acceptable bid to Southampton, I would presume that Lavia would prefer to come to us and have more chances of starts than be behind Caicedo and Enzo at Chelsea, especially as Chelsea don’t have Europe this season and therefore lack those additional games.

Just my opinion, though.

{Ed002's Note - There is nothing to stop Liverpool making an offer for Lavia.}

5.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 13:06:00
Manu Kone is presumably still available and I think has recovered from his injury he got in the U21 Euros. He’d still be a good option if we can’t get Caicedo or Lavia.

6.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 13:06:00
Manu Kone is presumably still available and I think has recovered from his injury he got in the U21 Euros. He’d still be a good option if we can’t get Caicedo or Lavia.

7.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 16:41:19
I’m calling this the American stand off.

8.) 12 Aug 2023
12 Aug 2023 18:21:23
Dhfc, indeed. Both owners are MLB team owners so this may have gotten personal.

As for the options we can get, their out there as we can see and we can get Andre in Jan but hopefully, we can get a Doucoure from Palace cos we looked at him and has better value that Caicedo, imo.