18 Jun 2026 09:31:20
Straight from the book of Fabinho and Gakpo this one.
Accelerated through the early hours due to USA time difference.
Before my '40 winks' last night, I had absolutely no word on us moving for Munoz.
It goes to show, the club are ready to react when needed.
This was Edwards and new Head coach Iraola's choice to activate the release clause after a relatively brief conversation.
Personal terms never an issue. Nice to see Andoni getting a say on players.
Ta.
18 Jun 2026 10:39:27
That's the type of deal that excites me, under the radar, the clips I've seen, he looks fast, skilful, two footed n has a bit of fight about him.
18 Jun 2026 10:47:41
Cheers, Carra. Don't know much about the lad, but from the few YouTube clips I've managed to watch since the news broke, he does look like a talent and a good rotational option on the left alongside Rio.
Now, keeping in the spirit of surprise deals, although not much of a surprise, if we could announce Diomande and Ayyoub Bouaddi as done deals out of nowhere, that would be fantastic.
I know, I'm not asking for much.
18 Jun 2026 10:47:55
We don't begrudge you 40 winks, Carra. Thanks for posting.
18 Jun 2026 10:48:53
Thanks Carra. By all accounts, it did seem like we moved very quickly for him. Reminds me of the Diaz deal a bit as well.
18 Jun 2026 10:52:26
Thanks, Carra - appreciate you as always!
I noticed you didn't mention Richard Hughes. Does that mean he wasn't involved in the process or that he was not for this signing?
18 Jun 2026 10:54:22
Carra, you are our prophet on the hill!
Allowed your 40 winks, bud.
18 Jun 2026 10:58:27
Apologies AZ, I meant Hughes not Edwards.
Ta.
18 Jun 2026 11:02:39
Love reading the rumours.
But nothing beats an out of the blue signing!
Cheers, Carra!
18 Jun 2026 11:11:41
Cheers for the insight, Carra, was totally out of the blue that signing. He looks an exciting prospect.
18 Jun 2026 11:22:27
Disappointing transfer if it means we're no longer in for Barcola. I was hoping for extreme speed on the wings with Barcola and Diomande (Mane and Salah 2.0).
I don't think this kid is better than Gakpo or any faster than Rio. Not sure what he brings to our attack that we don't already have.
18 Jun 2026 10:43:25
Cheers Carra, is it true that we have sent members of the medical team to the US to complete medicals during the world cup whilst there so we aren't waiting till after to get this done and bringing them back to England and then the players are able to meet up with the squad for the pre season tour in USA?
Would this then mean Diomande if he does happen would be possible to be completed just as quick as Munoz as the team will be there anyway to sort it out?
18 Jun 2026 11:31:13
Thanks Carra, love a left field signing!
Do your sources indicate that Barcola is still being pursued?
And I presume that Diomande is still promising, just a matter of time?
18 Jun 2026 11:42:51
Jovanaldinho, you don't think he looks faster than Rio? To me he looks like he's built like Shaqiri, as in he's impossible to knock off the ball, but he's also incredibly explosive, he can weather a challenge from a defender, or simply muscle them out of the way, and burst forward into space, or have them bite on a feint or fake, and then leave them in the dust with a change of direction.
He looks very strong, and physicality is a huge part of his game, holding defenders off, entirely a different kind of player to Rio. Whatever happens it doesn't look to me like he's a player that's going to be shrugged off the ball in the Prem.
18 Jun 2026 11:47:14
Great news, cheers, Carra. I think he and Diomande on the wings will certainly give us some unbelievable young talent on the wings. I don't mind Barcola, but at the price being touted I'm more than happy with Munoz at half the price.
Nice to see us move quickly too.
Newcastle must be screwing!!
18 Jun 2026 11:51:15
You get it right more often than not, Carra, so you can't be expected to know everything.
18 Jun 2026 12:00:38
Thank you for the information, Cara.
I'm curious.
Who are the next targets for Diomande in this transfer market?
18 Jun 2026 12:11:59
@J10, We can now have the option of offloading Gakpo & significantly reducing the wage bill & likely still run a prophet?
18 Jun 2026 12:14:17
Thanks for your input, Carra.
18 Jun 2026 12:32:00
PB, I don't think he is more explosive than Rio and I don't think he has the extreme pace to just knock the ball behind the defender and outpace them like what Salah and Mane used to do, and what Diomande did against Ecuador, this is what I think we are desperately missing. Ultimately, I don't think he improves our attack, being able to hold off a player is not really what I would say we are in need of.
WalkieTalkie, I don't think it makes sense to sell Gakpo (what would we realistically get for him? 40m?) and I don't think Munoz can lace his boots anyway. Gakpo had a stinker this season but so did everyone and he was played out of position for most of the season. Gakpo is a great 2nd choice LW.
18 Jun 2026 12:41:18
Jovanaldinho10, Harry? Is that you again? Asking for a friend so he can add your new username to the ignore list.
18 Jun 2026 12:42:33
On a video I watched about him they said he's rapid and could be the fastest player in the Premier League this season.
18 Jun 2026 12:43:56
@J10, What is Gakpo's greatest strength? Even when he was playing 'well' 2 seasons ago he still is the same one trick pony. He spends his time cutting inside and shooting. Nothing changed last season; the only difference was more defenders caught onto it and managed it in game. Yes, the whole team was poor, but it was noticeable how poor Gakpo was. No doubt he has talent, but he doesn't take on his man and cross, which is what we need. Munoz takes on his man, has pace, has some tricks, and likes to play as a team player.
Gakpo, even with Holland against Japan, had the chance at 2-1 to square the ball for a potential 3-1, and he cut inside, cut again, and shot from a stupid angle because he is more greedy than team orientated.
I am not saying Munoz is the answer to all of our problems, but he is a better option as a winger than Gakpo, who is more a left forward who is more about goals than both G/A, which is what we need.
18 Jun 2026 12:53:28
Maybe now we can put to bed the idea that Iraola doesn't get involved in buying players?
18 Jun 2026 16:37:57
That Munoz looks really quick, lads.... even quicker than Nicola Sturgeon running to a camper van.
18 Jun 2026 18:33:42
Cheers Carra, appreciated as always.