⚽ Football Transfers Speculation, Odds and Predictions

[Oluwa-btc]

🚨 Manchester United and Brighton have exchanged all documents as signed it all for Carlos Baleba deal.

£65m plus £5m and sell-on clause agreement, 100% confirmed.

I can't really place it on how Manchester United are getting players I mean desperately getting players, is C. Baleba the missing piece at the club? I mean they have midfielders already without letting any of the old ones go and still they are going for this player, if you ask me I'd say they need to work on their defense and someone who can play that DM very well like Casemiro. Maino hasn't been like he used to be, his form is off the book to consider him starting at least for now and they went for the former Chelsea player Santos and he isn't ready yet,, still trying to fix himself into the game, so why add another player that needs time to adapt if they really want to boost himself up? Your take on this.

I love the idea of a destroyer but who will you get to do that now amd not pay extravagantly? Tchouaméni was the perfect replacement for Casemiro I had up in my head but he couldn't join, I don't know the reasons, but I thought Manchester United management would make a move for him. Baleba can bring energy, pace and experience in our midfield, he was actually the person Ruben Amorim wanted in midfield but Manchester United management failed to get him. He will form a formidable pair with  Tielemans, and Mainno or even Bruno Fernandes in the midfield trio. I think he starts ahead of Santos in my opinion.

A solid addition but I don't deem Michael Carrick a worthy tactician to handle all these qualities. The confusion comes from the management and manager. The player? Top top and special.

[Alonso_]

🚨 Manchester United and Brighton have exchanged all documents as signed it all for Carlos Baleba deal.

£65m plus £5m and sell-on clause agreement, 100% confirmed.

I can't really place it on how Manchester United are getting players I mean desperately getting players, is C. Baleba the missing piece at the club? I mean they have midfielders already without letting any of the old ones go and still they are going for this player, if you ask me I'd say they need to work on their defense and someone who can play that DM very well like Casemiro. Maino hasn't been like he used to be, his form is off the book to consider him starting at least for now and they went for the former Chelsea player Santos and he isn't ready yet,, still trying to fix himself into the game, so why add another player that needs time to adapt if they really want to boost himself up? Your take on this.

My question is, Can we assume that Carlos Baleba is better than Kobbie Mainoo, because I don’t really know the reason behind signing Carlos Baleba, I don’t think Manchester United sold many players in midfield, Casemiro left after this contract expired, Mason Mount is injured as well, I think the only reason why they’re signing Carlos Baleba should be because of squad depth, after signing Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, now Baleba all midfielders, I’m going to believe that Carrick knows what he is doing, Carlos Baleba have been struggling with match fitness after getting injured some months ago, he lost his place in the Brighton Team to Hinshelwood, so his not been in a very good form, which is why I’m asking if Carlos Baleba is better than Kobbie Mainoo.

[shinratensei_]

Spurs is pursuing Gakpo from Liverpool, but they have Mudryk as an alternative if they fail to get Gakpo from Liverpool. I have a big hope that Liverpool to block Gakpo's transfer to the their rival. So Zerby can move to sign Mudryk from Chelsea.
It seems Zerby is not even feeling satisfied with the massive lost to the Brentford, yet he's planning to add more circus player to their squad.

Imagine they have Mudryk in their team. It's gonna be amazing to see a club with so many circus players in the same squad. Savinho, Mudryjk, Mamoush. They're gonna be the best team in EPL.

Other than it an open letter for Liverpool fans to tell your club not to sell Gakpo to Spurs.

[Zaguru12]

My question is, Can we assume that Carlos Baleba is better than Kobbie Mainoo, because I don’t really know the reason behind signing Carlos Baleba, I don’t think Manchester United sold many players in midfield, Casemiro left after this contract expired, Mason Mount is injured as well, I think the only reason why they’re signing Carlos Baleba should be because of squad depth, after signing Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, now Baleba all midfielders, I’m going to believe that Carrick knows what he is doing, Carlos Baleba have been struggling with match fitness after getting injured some months ago, he lost his place in the Brighton Team to Hinshelwood, so his not been in a very good form, which is why I’m asking if Carlos Baleba is better than Kobbie Mainoo.

Overall I don’t actually get the kind of comparison you’re doing but let me assume you’re not aware of why Carlos Baleba is been signed by Manchester United, Baleba is defensive midfielder and sometimes a central midfielder that means he can play both a 6 and an 8 in a double pivot system. Now to the comparison with Mainoo. Mainoo is not an out to out defensive midfielder rather he is central midfielder who simply plays double pivot and looks like a defensive midfielder. The Mainoo and Belaba comparison is like comparing Xavi or Iniesta to Sergio Busquet or comparing Kroos or Modric to Casemiro.
The other two midfield signings which are Tielemans and Santos are also central midfielders too.

Also Baleba wasn’t benched or forced out of the team by Hinshelwood, because the mentioned player who yes is a central midfielder too is been used as an attacking midfielder and that’s different from where Baleba is been used. Manchester needs a no 6 like Casemiro and that justifies Baleba signing. The midfield was thin and I will say it’s good signing, hopefully he lives up to expectations

[Ale88]

Bradley Barcola and Mbaye are both names most likely to sign for Liverpool football club if everything goes well. They're still working behind the scenes to make it happen.

Combined, the asking price set by PSG for these two players comes to around €222 million. The question is, is Liverpool willing to pay the price demanded by PSG, considering that neither player is a first-choice starter at PSG? In my opinion, it would be ridiculous for Liverpool to agree to that price. Let’s wait and see whether Liverpool will sign both Barcola and Mbaye or just one of them, since they both play the same position, winger.

I remember reading here, in this very thread, that PSG were asking 160 millions for Barcola. Based on your message, that means Mbaye is evaluated 80+ million euros: ok, he was born in 2008 so he's super young, but how is it possible such valuation for someone who played 33 matches with PSG? And of course in many cases he played only 10-20 minutes. 160 millions for Barcola don't make any sense, and 80 for Mbaye even less.

[Stepstowealth]

My question is, Can we assume that Carlos Baleba is better than Kobbie Mainoo, because I don’t really know the reason behind signing Carlos Baleba,

Kobbie Mainoo was a good option for Manchester United last season and was a part of the reason why they have European football to play this season but considering the number of games that they have to play it is important that they have some sort of squad depth and it's the reason I think the coach and the team is going for Baleba because he can add to the squad depth that Manchester United already have in midfield and contribute positively to their season. Also the signing off Carlos Baleba will also bring competition to that position and competition between players playing a similar role brings the best out of them because every of them wants to make the first team.

[slapper]

~

I think we should be able to agree on one thing, Baleba coming to Manchester United is a good signing because he's not just a DM like others, he comes with exemplary qualities, he's that DM that is capable of carrying out an effective role in defending the midfield and backline, he tracks back. I watch some highlights of Baleba and I must confess, he can not be seen as the missing piece in the Manchester United squad but he can be seen as DM who can win the ball for his teammates on the pitch, breakup the transitions, and he's athletic.

Michael Carrick will be able to effectively use Baleba in the Midfield because the ones he had is not doing the duties as expected. We're referring to Tielemans, Kobi Maino although I would say it's too very early to start bashing them since it's only one game played and they got humbled by Hull City. Even Andrey Santos is not seen to be a box to box midfielder, Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick have a whole lot of task to carry out at Old Trafford and this is just the beginning.

On the records, Michael Carrick just want to fix the structure area of the Midfield and the only way he can do that is trying all the midfielders in his squad until he sees who suits in the system. Although it's going to take a while before Manchester United will be able to set in and perform as the Red devils we've known them to become.

Either way, I agree with you on Carrick needing time. His performance last season was in order. It was a true 17-game run. The outcome was real and the football was pretty good. He has an understanding of what he is doing in the tactics.

But the part i cannot get past is, hull city happened because of set pieces. Two centre backs scored. You have invested $70 million in a midfielder, but that does not help your set piece situation. A specialist set piece coach probably costs what, a fraction of that? And most likely saves you those two goals.

Mainoo was not even starting by the way. 24 minutes off the bench. Imagine judging him off that.

[Renampun]

so why add another player that needs time to adapt if they really want to boost himself up? Your take on this.

Carrick understands what the team needs better than we do.. maybe we don't see how this decision could solve the problems Man United is facing, but I'm sure that Carrick sees Baleba as the right player for midfield and someone who can provide better passing and control in midfield. Especially when Santos and Tielemans are still so lacking on their debut.. maybe Baleba can fill that gap and stabilize the team's performance. So let's just see how Carrick's project with Baleba works out, whether it meets expectations or not.

[Ndabagi01]

so why add another player that needs time to adapt if they really want to boost himself up? Your take on this.

Carrick understands what the team needs better than we do.. maybe we don't see how this decision could solve the problems Man United is facing, but I'm sure that Carrick sees Baleba as the right player for midfield and someone who can provide better passing and control in midfield. Especially when Santos and Tielemans are still so lacking on their debut.. maybe Baleba can fill that gap and stabilize the team's performance. So let's just see how Carrick's project with Baleba works out, whether it meets expectations or not.

Santos and Tielemans may not have gotten a good debut for their game for Manchester United yet, but that doesn’t mean that they are not the perfect players for the midfield position or won’t play as much as expected from them for the task ahead of them. Baleba is a good addition to the team and with a good squad depth, one will begin to see the better side of Manchester United. Carrick knows what he is doing and with how things are going with them, they could really need the best of players to manage their midfield position very well for them due to their poor form in their first outing in the domestic league competition.

[Jessie2121]

🚨 Manchester United and Brighton have exchanged all documents as signed it all for Carlos Baleba deal.

£65m plus £5m and sell-on clause agreement, 100% confirmed.

I can't really place it on how Manchester United are getting players I mean desperately getting players, is C. Baleba the missing piece at the club? I mean they have midfielders already without letting any of the old ones go and still they are going for this player, if you ask me I'd say they need to work on their defense and someone who can play that DM very well like Casemiro. Maino hasn't been like he used to be, his form is off the book to consider him starting at least for now and they went for the former Chelsea player Santos and he isn't ready yet,, still trying to fix himself into the game, so why add another player that needs time to adapt if they really want to boost himself up? Your take on this.

I think we should be able to agree on one thing, Baleba coming to Manchester United is a good signing because he's not just a DM like others, he comes with exemplary qualities, he's that DM that is capable of carrying out an effective role in defending the midfield and backline, he tracks back. I watch some highlights of Baleba and I must confess, he can not be seen as the missing piece in the Manchester United squad but he can be seen as DM who can win the ball for his teammates on the pitch, breakup the transitions, and he's athletic.

Michael Carrick will be able to effectively use Baleba in the Midfield because the ones he had is not doing the duties as expected. We're referring to Tielemans, Kobi Maino although I would say it's too very early to start bashing them since it's only one game played and they got humbled by Hull City. Even Andrey Santos is not seen to be a box to box midfielder, Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick have a whole lot of task to carry out at Old Trafford and this is just the beginning.

On the records, Michael Carrick just want to fix the structure area of the Midfield and the only way he can do that is trying all the midfielders in his squad until he sees who suits in the system. Although it's going to take a while before Manchester United will be able to set in and perform as the Red devils we've known them to become.

He lost that good form a long time ago, liked him more when he replaced Caicedo. He was operating very well but as soon as that move came in at first he was nowhere to be found and now that Manchester United are looking for who can play very well and erase the error they have in them now I believe it will keep making them to be desperate for anyone to help them in that DM position. You are right, Baleba can try but the pressure of Manchester United can make him be like the Mainoo we have now. Carrick too is not happy after the humiliation he got at Hull, the boys failed him and he needs to think of a way to not upset the fans again if not they might choose to raise banner to offend his work. The season just started doesn't mean every manager will be happy to lose their first game instead they will unleash hell on any team they play.

[Lillominato89]

If I had to make a comparison with a Real Madrid player, I would choose Modric instead of Hazard. Both Rodri and Modric are kind of slow players, both had some injuries, but due to the way they play I think age is a secondary factor. At the end Modric constantly played for Real Madrid until he was 37 years old, after that he was more on the bench. A player like Rodri could easily player other 6 years at very high level.

Yes, your comparison is spot on.
But I’ve got a slightly critical question!
Why spend 70 million euros on a player who’s now 30 years old? I realise he’d take the team to the next level, but he’s simply not worth that kind of money.
What’s more, the player’s salary is a real burden.
Have neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid ever faced this problem?

Well, they bought the best defensive midfielder in the world, which is a the top of his career. Considering his contract was about to expire I agree the price is a little steep, maybe they could have paid him 60 millions instead of 70, but 10 millions are not a huge difference at the end of the day. Juventus paid over 100 millions for a 33-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, and despite his age his performances were phenomenal.

I’m not questioning the player’s qualities – he’s truly a top-class player.
But I was looking more at the financial side of things.
They’ve spent 70 million today, but I don’t think they’ll be able to sell him for that sort of money in the future; his value will inevitably go down as he gets older, and whilst his performance might decline, it could also improve (that’s the big unknown).
Obviously, with him in the team, the overall standard of the side rises quite significantly.

I think you're trying to analyze this transfer from the wrong side: Barcelona didn't purchase Rodri with the idea to get some money back in the future; they purchased him because they were looking for that kind of player, in that role, and with experience. It's the same thing they did with Lewandowski: they knew since the beginning the Polish striker would have left for free, and they were ok with that.

I view every purchase as an investment that must pay off in some way.
Barcelona signed Rodri for over 70 million; he is already quite advanced in age, despite being a top player in his position.
But the fact remains that the 70 million has been spent, and you don’t know whether you’ll be able to recoup it – either by winning trophies or by selling him on. That’s how I view transfer deals.
I’d point out that Barcelona isn’t rolling in money, as some people believe; on the contrary, it is heavily in debt.

[changaa]

If I had to make a comparison with a Real Madrid player, I would choose Modric instead of Hazard. Both Rodri and Modric are kind of slow players, both had some injuries, but due to the way they play I think age is a secondary factor. At the end Modric constantly played for Real Madrid until he was 37 years old, after that he was more on the bench. A player like Rodri could easily player other 6 years at very high level.

I believe that Modric and Rodri shouldn't even be put on the same level. Modric played with a club that is the most victorious of all: the legendary Real Madrid of the Galacticos, with people like Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Casillas in the team. An unbeatable Real Madrid.
While Rodri is an excellent midfielder, he deservedly won the Ballon d'Or too, but i don't think they can be compared.

[Plutomanian]

If I had to make a comparison with a Real Madrid player, I would choose Modric instead of Hazard. Both Rodri and Modric are kind of slow players, both had some injuries, but due to the way they play I think age is a secondary factor. At the end Modric constantly played for Real Madrid until he was 37 years old, after that he was more on the bench. A player like Rodri could easily player other 6 years at very high level.

Rodri and Modric can not be put into the same category. Rodri is a standout defensive midfielder and he carried the burden of the Midfield. Do you know why Rodri was one of the favorite midfielder under Pep Guardiola? He was very defensive and one of his qualities was controlling the tempo of the game especially winning the balls, duels won. Rodri was really one of the conspicuous piece Manchester City needed and he did deliver a master class under Pep Guardiola management at City.

We can also say the same for Luka Modric who's a central midfielder, all he does is crossing crucial passes and paving ways for the attackers infront to score. A player like Luka Modric is definitely what a team like Real Madrid needed to balance and win trophies. Modric is a playmaker and we know how imperative his presence is for the club he represents.

At the end, we can not compare both of them because one is a natural DM while the other is CM, so there's a difference. Talking about their age range, they're both in their 30s, Modric longevity should be questionable because not every player like Modric can maintain such motion till late 30s after battling several hurdles like severe injuries and also fighting nature. In the meantime, Rodri is in his early 30s and we do expect him to perform effectively.

[Tonimez]

If I had to make a comparison with a Real Madrid player, I would choose Modric instead of Hazard. Both Rodri and Modric are kind of slow players, both had some injuries, but due to the way they play I think age is a secondary factor. At the end Modric constantly played for Real Madrid until he was 37 years old, after that he was more on the bench. A player like Rodri could easily player other 6 years at very high level.

I believe that Modric and Rodri shouldn't even be put on the same level. Modric played with a club that is the most victorious of all: the legendary Real Madrid of the Galacticos, with people like Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Casillas in the team. An unbeatable Real Madrid.
While Rodri is an excellent midfielder, he deservedly won the Ballon d'Or too, but i don't think they can be compared.

These are two great players of distinct characters and they are good in their own ways. For me, comparing Rodri to Luka Modric is something not very matching. Rodri is good and has done very well but Luka Modric has stood the test of time and has gone through generations and eras. Rodri too, has done well but I prefer Luka Modric's consistency over Rodri who became very injury prone. Again for the fact that Luka Modric is coming from a very non footballing nation like Croatia and matching up the global standards is also another reason I will choose him over Rodri who was born into the game. Luka Modric won his Balon d'Or in a more clearly understandable ground for his contributions during the world cup and real Madrid champions league victory (though not enough as many believed Ronaldo was a better option for the year) unlike Rodri who's Balon d'Or was widely criticised as rigged and belonged to Vinicious Junior. They are two great players but for the fact that one is a defensive midfielder and one is a Central midfielder, then it depends on your position of interest and how they deliver their roles which they both do very well.

[bitLeap]

Enzo Maresca took a new format so that Marmoush was not included in the main squad plans and made him have to go to Tottenham. It's unfortunate but there's no other way because playing time at Man City wasn't effective for him. Marmoush is a quality player, but when his playing time is not so supportive he is often on the bench. His role at Tottenham could be very helpful, as long as he is given more opportunities on the pitch.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Enzo Maresca took a new format so that Marmoush was not included in the main squad plans and made him have to go to Tottenham. It's unfortunate but there's no other way because playing time at Man City wasn't effective for him. Marmoush is a quality player, but when his playing time is not so supportive he is often on the bench. His role at Tottenham could be very helpful, as long as he is given more opportunities on the pitch.

He’s been a big flop at Man City as has Savinho. I don’t know how they sell failed players for profit, something doesn’t add up. How did they get more for Reijnders than they paid for him. A club that has 116 charges for financial irregularities can not be trusted. Who knows what they are up to.

[Sarah Azhari]

Bradley Barcola and Mbaye are both names most likely to sign for Liverpool football club if everything goes well. They're still working behind the scenes to make it happen.

Combined, the asking price set by PSG for these two players comes to around €222 million. The question is, is Liverpool willing to pay the price demanded by PSG, considering that neither player is a first-choice starter at PSG? In my opinion, it would be ridiculous for Liverpool to agree to that price. Let’s wait and see whether Liverpool will sign both Barcola and Mbaye or just one of them, since they both play the same position, winger.

I remember reading here, in this very thread, that PSG were asking 160 millions for Barcola. Based on your message, that means Mbaye is evaluated 80+ million euros: ok, he was born in 2008 so he's super young, but how is it possible such valuation for someone who played 33 matches with PSG? And of course in many cases he played only 10-20 minutes. 160 millions for Barcola don't make any sense, and 80 for Mbaye even less.

That’s why I doubt Liverpool will be able to sign both players at the same time. In fact, it seems unlikely that Liverpool could even sign one of them unless PSG lowers their asking price. After all, Liverpool spent a lot of money on player signings last season, so this season they’re struggling to bring in high priced players, as we can see from their activity in the transfer market. As you said, the asking prices for Barcola and Mbaye are indeed unreasonable. It would be foolish for Liverpool to pay the prices PSG is demanding for Barcola and Mbaye.

[Silence Scream]

Bradley Barcola and Mbaye are both names most likely to sign for Liverpool football club if everything goes well. They're still working behind the scenes to make it happen.

Combined, the asking price set by PSG for these two players comes to around €222 million. The question is, is Liverpool willing to pay the price demanded by PSG, considering that neither player is a first-choice starter at PSG? In my opinion, it would be ridiculous for Liverpool to agree to that price. Let’s wait and see whether Liverpool will sign both Barcola and Mbaye or just one of them, since they both play the same position, winger.

I remember reading here, in this very thread, that PSG were asking 160 millions for Barcola. Based on your message, that means Mbaye is evaluated 80+ million euros: ok, he was born in 2008 so he's super young, but how is it possible such valuation for someone who played 33 matches with PSG? And of course in many cases he played only 10-20 minutes. 160 millions for Barcola don't make any sense, and 80 for Mbaye even less.

That’s why I doubt Liverpool will be able to sign both players at the same time. In fact, it seems unlikely that Liverpool could even sign one of them unless PSG lowers their asking price. After all, Liverpool spent a lot of money on player signings last season, so this season they’re struggling to bring in high priced players, as we can see from their activity in the transfer market. As you said, the asking prices for Barcola and Mbaye are indeed unreasonable. It would be foolish for Liverpool to pay the prices PSG is demanding for Barcola and Mbaye.

I think it makes more sense for Liverpool to abandon these transfers because the asking prices are really too high. Paris Saint-Germain asking that much for a single player doesn't make sense to me, especially for a quality player, but it seems like they're asking far too high prices for Premier League teams. If another team wanted him, perhaps they wouldn't be aiming for such high transfer revenue from Barcola. However, since they know Liverpool and they've spent a lot of money this year, they're being very demanding.

[Sunshine1525]

He lost that good form a long time ago, liked him more when he replaced Caicedo. He was operating very well but as soon as that move came in at first he was nowhere to be found and now that Manchester United are looking for who can play very well and erase the error they have in them now I believe it will keep making them to be desperate for anyone to help them in that DM position. You are right, Baleba can try but the pressure of Manchester United can make him be like the Mainoo we have now. Carrick too is not happy after the humiliation he got at Hull, the boys failed him and he needs to think of a way to not upset the fans again if not they might choose to raise banner to offend his work. The season just started doesn't mean every manager will be happy to lose their first game instead they will unleash hell on any team they play.

If you watched Baleba in the AFCON you'll feel that he really wanted to leave to Brighton, his performance for Cameroon was far better than what i saw in Brighton last season which makes me wonder if he purposely performed poorly so Brighton would allow him move to Manchester United for a lower fee than the one they wanted last summer when Manchester United approached them for him.

Well injury also contributed to his poor performance but now that he's finally gone to his dream team he could help ease the pressure, i think he's the perfect replacement for Casemiro not Andery Santos who's just good at line breaking passes but can't defend or properly control the midfield. Baleba is good defensively, a good ball carrier, good with passes and would ease the pressure on any other midfielder he's paired with including helping defenders, Manchester United shouldn't end their transfer with him, they still need a leftback, an attacker and axtra central defense.

[Wake Up]

Enzo Maresca took a new format so that Marmoush was not included in the main squad plans and made him have to go to Tottenham. It's unfortunate but there's no other way because playing time at Man City wasn't effective for him. Marmoush is a quality player, but when his playing time is not so supportive he is often on the bench. His role at Tottenham could be very helpful, as long as he is given more opportunities on the pitch.

I think Marmoush was a player who could have been useful to Manchester City, but I guess Maresca didn't want that. If Marmoush plays effectively and well for Tottenham, I'm sure Manchester City will even regret selling him. He was a very good squad player for Manchester City. The Egyptian player had his career breakthrough with Frankfurt. Then he went to the Premier League. I'm one of those who liked his performance in the Premier League. I think he's a good transfer for Tottenham.