Tevez would certainly be an intruiging choice.

I suppose one way of convincing Dawson and Sigurdsson to go is for MP to just flat out tell them they're not in his plans for the season.

We need to buy a decent CB first before letting Daws go imho. Kaboul and Vlad also have to get back to playing at a decent level after their poor performances in the latter half of last season.

If Kaboul and Vlad can get back to their best then we probably don't need a CB, as long as Vertonghen doesn't go anywhere.

If Veljkovic can make the breakthrough to the first team as well, then I think we'd be pretty well set in the centre of defence.

I suppose it all depends though - plenty of talk of other clubs interested in Jan.

From what I've see of Milos Veljkovic, at 18 years old, he still has a couple of years of development before he will be ready for the first team squad. But who knows with Poch's coaching and influence.

Then there's Zeki Fryers, who I can only describe as steady but unspectacular. I'm still none the wiser as to whether he is really a CB or LB as he hasn't proved himself to be a standout at either.

...And there's always Caulker as a last resort purchase!

It all really confirms the need for us to buy a decent CB as Daws' long term replacement.

WTF, I want Remy to join us even less than I did yesterday!

I think I read about a third tier as well for clubs lower than about 6th or 7th which was about £15 million.

It's a shame really because, as i've always said, he's a proven premiership goalscorer but you just wouldn't want all the shit that comes with him.

So lads, our new kit comes out on Friday and the tour of America starts on Saturday but when do we think transfers will start?

I just hope we see some movement soon. Obviously a lot of WC players will be off on their holidays, but we've been linked, as usual, with loads of players so you'd think you'd hear of at least something being close to completion.

I suppose you could argue that maybe MP wants to see the squad playing in proper matches before making his final decision on who needs to stay and who needs to go so maybe the US tour will give him that opportunity.

I expect it will be a couple of week yet before we start to see any transfers. The top European clubs will complete their moves for the best players and then it will cascade down.

The positions we need to beef up are common knowledge but this probably also means shifting out at a minimum of 4 senior players. Collating what I've read, Sandro, Gyfil, Daws and BAE seem the most likely to leave at the moment plus Soldado if we get a decent offer for him. I think with the exception of Walker, we would be prepared to listen to offers for a couple of the other English guys as well.

The Soldado rumour seems to have simply taken over from the Vertonghen rumour after a "source" from the club said that a new contract for Jan would be more likely than a move.

I'd like to think that Poch could do something with Soldado to get him scoring but I also get the impression that the club is non-plussed about selling him if we are able to recovery a fair chunk of his original transfer fee.

I notice also that talk of Paulinho going elsewhere has subsided following his v.average performance in the WC.

I always think back to that game away to Newcastle where we won something like 5-0. Bentaleb was the DMC and Paulinho was given licence to get forward and he arguably had his best game for us.

He's probably one of those players that if you play to his strengths and let him play in his preferred position then he'll give you the performances, but if you ask him to play just a tad outside that comfort zone then it doesn't happen.

Going back to last season we had many players including Paulinho who didn't perform to the best of their ability. I'm expecting improved performances all round next term along with Poch's better organisation and tactics compared to Sherwood's.

Pretty relaxed. Biggest transfer has already happened (MP) and no one's coming to take our star player this season. Plus the stadium will be going vertical very, very soon.

Obv. need a decent left back and bits and pieces but it'll all work out.

Really can't wait for, as soulboy says, MPs better organisation and tactics.

I imagine there'll be better man-management than Sherwood's tenure as well, although that won't exactly be difficult

The only concern i have is that all of the teams who will be expected to finish above us have all strengthened already and are continuing to buy.

I know we've got a good few players, including the new signings last year (bar Eriksen), who failed to perform so they could essentially be as good as new signings maybe, but I think we're certainly in danger of getting left behind somewhat if the likes of Liverpool, Ars*nal and Chelsea keep spending.

Good article here about Lamela as well ..

http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/16/why-sp...-flop-4799963/

Latest from those who know: very close to Davies and Lascelles.

Poch wants to build from the back and take his time over the next 3/4 transfer windows. This window will be younger players but still trying for another CH and LWF. No marquee signings expected.

He's expecting to be around for 3 or 4 transfer windows ?

Apparently the club website is offering free live streaming of all the US tour games so just signed up. This is where the chromecast comes in handy

Interesting ..

The Mirror are reporting we've had a £10m offer for Ben Davies accepted by Swansea


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...e-hots-3869246

I guess Swansea are trying to play us off against Liverpool for Davies in order to get the transfer price up. Looks like bidding is edging toward the £12m Swansea want. I have a feeling that he will end up at Liverpool though and not us.

yeah i suspect everyone's agent will have one eye on liverpool as they've got money to spend.

just seen that vlad and sandro have been withdrawn from the US tour due to injury and illness. clearly means moves are imminent .. heh

also just seen that BT Sport actually have the first game of the US tour live on Saturday as well.

Sky Sports News were apparently reporting that you'd reported us to the PL because Ben played for us in a friendly last night.

Just read that Jack Rodwell might be one of the younger players we are after. Apparently, Pochettino sees something in him that many can't. Also thought his career had stalled due to constant injuries?

Oh well.

Sigurdsson to Palace for £8 million.... good money for him

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9385548

Yeah if that goes through it's a good price. Might mean we can actually get someone in at last, but then I still think MP will still want to use the tour to continue assessing the squad overall so if we're going to do business, it'll be afterwards.

It's still a tad frustrating considering almost everyone else around us is bringing players in. I'm not expecting last summer's level of activity of course, but at least a snifter of a deal !