So Liverpool look set to sign Fabio Borini from Roma. I'll go on record now as saying I'd gladly have him at Utd. I think the guy is absolute quality, and could be the 20-goal poacher that Liverpool need (although he's much more than a poacher).

Tottenham look like they've finalized a deal for Adebayor. The problem I can see there is that Adebayor seems to be the sort of player who only plays to his full potential when he has a point to prove (ie- when he wants a new deal, or when he's on loan). I hope the signing works out well, but if he falls into the same kind of complacency which he has done for spells in the past, then I could see this becoming a bit of a financial albatross.

Pienaar supposedly moving back to Everton full-time, and Newcastle continue to threaten to sign the French right-back Debuchy, who looks decent.

Would love to see Debuchy at Newcastle, although its rumoured he may be signing an improved contract at Lille. The centre half we desperately need is rumoured to have been been filled by Douglas at FC Twente but the deal won't be finalized until he gains dual citizenship in August as he wants to play for Holland. We've been chasing De Jong all summer but his price has gone up so I think its a non starter now. Also linked with Junior Hoilett, but then so are a lot of people, would love to see him join us.

I've not seen a great deal of him but what I have seen he looks impressive. He'd be great in the system we were using the last 10 games or so in the position Demba Ba was played in. Leaves us with the headache of which Demba plays through the middle, Ba or Cisse. Unless one of them is sold off. If one does go it'd be Ba for me, dodgy knees and the infamous buy out clause surfacing every window if he does stay.

Edited by user 13 July 2012 14:15:01(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I thought Ba's buy-out is only available for 2 months this summer and that's it then. But surprised noone's triggered it so far though.

I rate Hoilett. Not a world-beater but definitely worth a few million for the squad, and is young enough to become a much better player - would have him over Pienaar any day of the week.

Yes, Adebayor looks like a done deal now, as you say I hope he doesn't get complacent. With Bale and Caulker also signing new contracts, Sigurdsson and Vertonghen signed (both players I rated very highly last year) and looking likely we'll get Moutinho or someone of similar class to replace Modric (for whom we'll get good money for), plus what appears to be the best training facilities in the coutnry opened on Wednesday, it's been a decent summer so far. Quite like the new kit too.

Would still like us to sign a GK (Hugo Lloris), another striker (Leandro Damiao), plus a right-winger, but plenty of time for that.

Borussia Mönchengladbach (note the spelling) isn't a club I'd expect a player to turn down Spurs for. Especially when you can join them and play in the Champions League.

Though having a player with a name that rhymes with 'toilet' could be problematic.

Newcastle make loan move for Carroll

I know this has done the rumours already, but do you think this is an indication that Ba or Cisse will shortly be on their way to another club?

Not exactly the same sorts of players, but still can't see all 3 playing together nor all 3 being happy to compete for places with one another.

I personally wouldn't mind either player coming to Spurs, and we could do with another striker, but Liverpool would be in a good position I would guess to negotiate something if they're sending Carroll the other way.

Edited by user 15 July 2012 18:03:55(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Ba said earlier this week he's not going anywhere.

I know that could mean F-all, but thought it worth mentioning.

Whilst on the subject of Football, where is Jase. Not seen him post for ages. Has he gone down for attempted murder on Lofty?

Where is Lofty come to think of it?

Not anymore. That used to be the case, but PL clubs have now realised they just can't keep everyone happy, and tend to have one or two that expect to play every week, then one or two that are young/up-and-coming/at-end-of-career who understand that they are going to be rotated. Not many clubs have 3 top strikers who expect to play every single week (as Cisse, Ba and Carroll will), the exception that proves the rule being City, who have about 23 strikers on £150k a week. Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and A*s*n*l don't.

I guess the Olympics and FCON might be a factor, however, so I can maybe see it working for a season, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Ba sold, especially with his release clause thing (which I think expires at the end of this month, so we'll know sooner rather than later).

Talking of Football, me just had the Handbag on Brazil tonight at 4/5 (Corals) With the Horesey "Chat" winning and Serena and the Fed copping, me going for 4 on the bounce........Charrrrrrrrrrrrge.