17 Aug 2026 09:30:53
Morning gents,
Club had a very very busy weekend, expect a lot of movement this coming week.
I mentioned earlier that Palace enquired about Jones and willing to offer him higher wages than Inter. Over the weekend Jones has officially rejected Palace, he wants CL football so obviously he'll have a better chance for CL + silverware at Inter.
Pedri's negotiations have halted, trust me when I say the club threw everything but the kitchen sink at him, for now he has rejected us but keep an eye out for this next summer, Iraola is a big big fan.
A verbal agreement with PSG has been reached for Barcola over the weekend, Mbaye negotiations still on going, but the club is wary of his agency demands.
My source is still confident that both deals will go through. Gakpo will stay despite recent reports, Iraola knows his versatility will be crucial for the squad, maybe a January sale to Spurs is more realistic, depending on Ekitike's recovery.
I was told Wharton is someone we would explore next summer, Nyonyi will take Jones' place in the squad for the time being but a few on here are very adamant Wharton is a serious target this summer. Can't see it happening myself especially with less than 2 weeks left in the window.
Signing out,
Iraola's areola.
17 Aug 2026 09:52:13
Makes the most sense about Gakpo as he covers striker.
Thanks, great post.
17 Aug 2026 10:01:27
Why would Pedri move to Liverpool from Barcelona? Total b*******.
17 Aug 2026 10:03:38
Always felt Gakpo needed to stay and cover Ekitike, never expected Wharton to come in unless Macca went out, clubs not going to spend 100m on a replacement for Jones. Sensible decisions.
17 Aug 2026 10:14:35
What's the lot of movement to expect, Andoni?
Reading your post, it seems to say Barcola will come in this week, but nothing else. Jones will go out. Both of these deals have been on the cusp of completion since the beginning of the window, so it's unclear what the activity of the weekend has changed.
17 Aug 2026 10:25:55
To be honest I thought Gakpo played at his best for us in the games he played as a CF. He's too predictable on the left but I can see him, like Munoz playing across the front three for us.
17 Aug 2026 10:32:10
"Expect a lot of movement this coming week."
Sure, this has been said 3 or 4 times this window.
17 Aug 2026 10:40:09
After the curry I had last night, it was only to be expected.
17 Aug 2026 10:43:35
Think you're right, WDW, on Gakpo. It looks very much like he's leaving though, to help fund the Barcola deal. We haven't raised any funds yet this summer.
Personally think it would have been better to offload Harvey, Endo and Chiesa and keep Gakpo, but maybe no one will buy them.
17 Aug 2026 10:46:33
Aside from the fact, Pedri isn't going to leave Barca, what would be the point of signing another box to box midfielder when it's blatantly obvious we need a midfielder who can actually defend.
17 Aug 2026 10:54:06
I thought it was Gavi we were going for.
17 Aug 2026 11:09:10
So "a lot of movement" is 1, maybe 2 in? In the last week before PL start? Jesus.
17 Aug 2026 11:12:08
Realistically Harvey, Endo and Chiesa are bringing in no more than £40m though. Also, Pedri, c'mon lads, that's Arsenal with Vini Jnr levels of lunacy.
17 Aug 2026 11:27:42
Cheers, AA.
Regarding Gakpo - from a business perspective, if you are having to buy in an inflated market, you should balance that against selling in an inflated market. From a player perspective, why would he want to hang around to be second choice and possibly even third choice when Hugo returns?
Not bringing in a midfielder this summer would be negligence.
Let's be honest, Endo's contract is probably worth less than £3m. You could terminate it early and tell him to move on if the excuse is squad size.
17 Aug 2026 12:51:11
Harvey Elliot's career at Liverpool looks to be over. Everyone seemed to get a fresh chance under AI, and Harvey seems to have blown it. I would also add Chiesa to that list. Got lots of opportunities last season and just seems a bit like a headless chicken. I remember him clearing one off the line during a match where we were being completely embarrassed by some team.
I liked his attitude and seems like a nice guy, but these two for me should be the first out the door. Then Scottish right back (can't remember name) and the big back up goalkeeper. I think he is very suspect.
We look so much more solid with Allison in nets. I hope we can go out and find a proper replacement because imo Marmadashvili is a Mignolet mark 2.
17 Aug 2026 14:07:11
Agree, Inbeta, never been convinced in Marma, and he's had plenrlty of chances to improve but failed.
Surely Alison can carry on for a good few years yet, he's not that old for a goalie, give him a raise and keep him, save splashing out.
He's the best for me.
17 Aug 2026 14:48:12
There will be a lot of movement with players both coming and going. Not all transfers are for players arriving, and the club still has to negotiate a price when a player leaves, or am I missing something?
17 Aug 2026 15:14:29
Pelican, if Endo is indeed worth only 3 million, doesn't it make more sense to keep him as backup for DM and CB? Even if he's at the bottom end of the squad of 25, he has enough experience and ability to do a better job than any of the kids at the academy, in case of injury.