09 Jul 2021 14:28:53
Question for Ed001 (as I know you are a big fan of Niguez) .

Who would you pick out of him and Milinkovic-Savic for us?

{Ed001's Note - Saul, it is not even a contest for me.}

09 Jul 2021 14:33:41
Thanks Ed001, thought that would be your answer, but M-S hasn't been mentioned for a while.

As mentioned below, there's a lot of chatter suddenly springing up in the last 24-48 hours about Saul. Fingers crossed, and that he can rediscover his form of a year or two ago under Klopp.

Him and Malen, with Konate, would be a fantastic window!

{Ed001's Note - that would be the dream, getting Saul, but I won't hold my breath.}

09 Jul 2021 15:30:26
What’s your own thoughts on our interest in him Ed001?

{Ed001's Note - in what way mate?}

09 Jul 2021 16:24:01
Do you have player profile on him ed?

{Ed001's Note - there is one: Saul Niguez profile but it is over 2 years old so I have added him to the list for a new one.}

09 Jul 2021 16:52:01
I think he is a top player. I wonder why he didn't play much last year. He is not getting a look in with Spain either.

{Ed001's Note - because Atleti can't afford his wages and the appearance fees. He won't get in the Spain squad without playing for his club.}

09 Jul 2021 17:20:43
Sorry Ed001 I meant do you believe we are interested in him mate?

{Ed001's Note - I am quite sure Klopp would love to sign him, Atleti would love to get his wages off their bill but they need cash and we need to pay on tick, so it seems to be a fantasy.}

09 Jul 2021 17:39:06
Are you in favour of using our loan facility at low interest to fund a transfer like Saul. On the understanding that next years transfer budget will be lower and if needed a big player would need to be sold. It’s a tricky balancing act but if we got Saul the midfield is sorted.

{Ed001's Note - no, not while the world is in such a strange situation with this pandemic thingy. It is too much of a risk right now. We should be looking to reduce risk right now. We are already sailing close to the wind, it wouldn't take much for this to be a Ridsdale-like problem.}

09 Jul 2021 17:47:14
Ignoring the wage n financial stuff, who would choose between bissouma n saul ed for our team?

{Ed001's Note - Saul mate. Always would choose him, he is one of the best midfielders in the world and doesn't go to the AFCON.}

09 Jul 2021 18:02:01
Let’s hope we get a move on and shift some of the 10 surplus players. I also understand the issues atm with the world as it is. But we can’t afford to be out of the top 4 that would be even more damaging.

If we borrowed £40m over 3 years it would cost £10m in interest. Athletico would accept £40m cash or £50m instalments. It obviously can’t work like that.

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure not buying Saul would mean we finish outside the top 4.}

09 Jul 2021 18:29:09
Lol Ed I can just imagine Edwards ringing athletico and asking for Saul on tick 😅.

{Ed001's Note - it would be an interesting convo that one!}

09 Jul 2021 18:32:31
Ed001 appreciate your insight into this mate. I’m a little confused why we flirt with players like Saul, Insigne and the likes when they are clearly out of our financial reach. If it’s obvious from the off then why do we waste our time mate? A bit like me looking at Ferraris and settling for a Mondeo.

{Ed001's Note - a Ferrari has a set price, you know what you have to pay to get one new. But this is not a new one, this is more like going to the auctions and checking it out just in case no one there is looking for a Ferrari because the running costs are too high for them.}

09 Jul 2021 18:46:38
I don’t think that either but the world we live in now I rule nothing out. I am sure most of us agree signing Saul gives us more chance of being successful.