2016/17 rumourmill and confirmed transfers

[DungBeetle]

So I would buy or sell?

Think with the signings we have/are about to make, we should be looking about 12th-14th place realistically.

Valdes, Subotic, Negredo, de Roon, Ramirez are all players that would get into the first team of most of the clubs I mentioned above, along with some cracking young talent too, I think we are being massively underrated, or the markets will shift a lot once the signings are confirmed.

Boro probably are a buy at the price imo but Sporting are well aware of transfer activity so confirmation of the signings mentioned will change little.  Already in the price.

[hhyftrftdr]

Kante to Chelsea for £30m. Great signing, Chelsea going to be strong again this year.

Homesick, so I guess this gets him a bit closer to France.

Chelsea concern me more than anyone this season; Conte, no Euro football, some good new additions....

Makes little sense to me. A superb player for Leicester and loved by the supporters. Of all the clubs chasing him Chelsea weren't even on my radar. No Champions League etc etc.

Maybe just didn't fancy all the extra games this year. Will be sorely missed.

Makes more sense to join a team who is going to be competitive at the top for the foreseeable future than stay at Leicester surely? Don't think it matters that much for teams who are going to be out of it for 1 year max.

Chelsea top four next season? A tough call me thinks but we'll see. Of course all those who were writing Leicester off every month last season are already starting now. Hilarious

You're not writing Leicester off for the title? Or top 4?

Don't really see why you should tbh. Their stats for the last 18 months are there for all to see. Yes it will be tough, very tough, but current form suggests to write them off just because "it's Leicester" is a bit harsh. After all you don't win the Prem by ten clear points without something about you, do you?

Deserving champions and the best team in the league, there for everyone to see last season.

As has been said before, it was a perfect storm; the previous champions Chelsea sinking like a stone, others not stepping up like City/Arsenal, the lack of injuries, no Euro football, early exits in both cups etc etc

Seems inevitable with more games you'll pick up more injuries, simply can't breeze through the season again with no significant injuries. Key player about to depart. Significant improvement from the main title contenders, both in players and management. Playing weekend - midweek - weekend will take its toll on the squad.

Do I think Leicester will win or come close to the title again this season? No.
Do I think they will still have a decent season? Yes.
Should you dine out on last season for as long as possible? Absolutely!

[TightEnd]

Eddie Howe could be Sam Allardyce's No 2 for England as the FA move for Bournemouth boss http://dailym.ai/2a0rpgD

[Rod Paradise]

Didn't know where to post this, but thought it would be of a bit of interest...

St Pauli's new kit manufacturer sponsored a bit of a refurb at the Millerntor, with the players' tunnel getting a complete revamp:

Click to see full-size image.

Imagine going down that to AC/DC's Hells Bells booming out (that's what St Pauli run out too). A bit more intimidating than a 'This is Anfield' sign... 

[TightEnd]

Watford sign Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga on season-long loan from Napoli http://dailym.ai/29WjMtu

[DungBeetle]

Rod - Probably ruins the impact when you get to the end of the tunnel and see St Pauli in those skin tight skimpy Under Armour shirts though!?

[Rod Paradise]

Rod - Probably ruins the impact when you get to the end of the tunnel and see St Pauli in those skin tight skimpy Under Armour shirts though!?

I quite like them, the black one with the shadow totenkopf particularly.

[kp24]

Who do we fancy to finish Top Championship scorer?

Gayle 8/1, McCormack 12/1, Gestede 14/1, Assombalonga 16/1, Martin 25/1

is the head of the market.

Like the look of ayoze perez myself if he stops

[TightEnd]

Newcastle want £27million for Tottenham and Everton target Georginio Wijnaldum http://dailym.ai/29MiRJF

[DungBeetle]

Must be worrying times for Hull fans.  A few weeks before the big kickoff and their state of play is:

- Manager being courted by England
- Odubajo out for 6 months
- 14 fit senior outfield players
- Just taken 35 year old Odemwingie on trial.

Meanwhile it's not looking much better at Burnley.  They failed to get Hendrick and Stephens and have now settled on Gudmundsson and Pope from relegated Championship team Charlton as their first signings of the summer.

This is not to say being frugal isn't a good strategy, but this pair haven't thrown anything at it so far!  4 weeks to go though I suppose.

[horseplayer]

Are there still worries over the owners health at Hull dung?

Wonder if that is holding things up? Him and Bruce are very close and if either go or can't do the job anymore could be a mess a while longer?

Pope in as a back up presumably?  Quite like the winger but hardly going to set the league alight agreed

[horseplayer]

Looks like negredo is coming in on a season long loan.

Makes sense really not sure he is quite sharp enough to score 15 plus for boro but not going to get many/any better strikers in on loan

[DungBeetle]

We have a Hull forumite so who will know better than me - I think he said the ownership issue was resolved now.  I only have an outsiders view but it looks pretty chaotic especially if Bruce gets the England job - new man would have a couple of weeks maximum to assess a depleted squad and add to it.

Guess Burnley are going for their usual approach, yep I'm sure Pope will be backup unless they lose Heaton to someone else which would be a disaster for them.

[DungBeetle]

Looks like negredo is coming in on a season long loan.

Makes sense really not sure he is quite sharp enough to score 15 plus for boro but not going to get many/any better strikers in on loan

I can't work out whether to be really impressed by Boro's activity or whether it reminds me of that Mark Hughes summer at QPR!

[DungBeetle]

Watford continue to reshape their squad to 3-5-2 by being close to bringing in full back Brice Dja Djedje from Marseille for £4million and centre back Nicolas Lombaerts from Zenit for £6 million.  Anyone seen anything of the Marseille chap?  Never heard of him, but that might just be my French League ignorance.

Watford are going to have some tough decisions on who to ship out - this would bring the overseas over 21 players to about 24 by my calculations.  There are 3/4 easy choices to get rid of (Belkalem, one of the back up keepers, Paredes, Pudil) but it gets much harder after that.  The like of Vydra, Amrabat, Guedioura, Nyom, Suarez and even Abdi/Prodl must be all at risk.