European Football Summer Transfer Window

[Forza Azzurri]

Not crazy about the announcers, either.

Very much depends on who you get.

I like Bonetti and a few others whose names I do not know.

But there are a few who are impossible to listen to.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Serie A was, arguably, the best league in the world in the 80s and 90s and into the 2000s.

From 1991 through 1998, there was a Serie A team in the Champions League final every year.

In the last 20 years, there have only been 5 Italian teams in the final and an Italian team hasn't won it since 2010.

The Prem was the first league to get its head out of its A$$ and begin to secure TV rights deals as opposed to not wanting to put games on television. (There is a great book called "The Club" that details how TV rights helped the Prem become the richest and best, league in the world)

And this is a pretty detailed retelling of what happened.

Media Uncover Match-Fixing in Italian Soccer | EBSCO

The match-fixing scandal that emerged in Italian soccer in 2006 involved some of the country's most renowned clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio, and Fiorentina. The scandal began when it was revealed that Luciano Moggi, the general manager of Juventus, and other officials were engaged in...

www.ebsco.com

 

[ImperialOrange]

And this is a pretty detailed retelling of what happened.

Media Uncover Match-Fixing in Italian Soccer | EBSCO

The match-fixing scandal that emerged in Italian soccer in 2006 involved some of the country's most renowned clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio, and Fiorentina. The scandal began when it was revealed that Luciano Moggi, the general manager of Juventus, and other officials were engaged in...

www.ebsco.com

Serie A Clubs With the Most Debt: Inter Milan Top Unfortunate List

Inter Milan continue to top the list of Serie A clubs with the most debt along with Juventus and rivals AC Milan.

www.footitalia.com

And the current fiscal situations of the biggest known clubs in Serie A are still bleak.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Another transfer window update. Some interesting news today.

Liverpool closes on Ekitike. Big signing. He is fast and very good with his feet. Needs to get stronger, but looks like a great signing to me.

Evan Ferguson of Everton (still only 20) goes to Roma on a season long loan with an option to buy for around 30M.

Leeds sign 6-7 striker Anton Stach from Hoffenheim.

Chelsea are working hard on the sales. Christopher Nkunku has interest from both Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus are both looking at taking Raheem Sterling off Chelsea's hands, but he would have to take a pay cut to join either team, and Chelsea are not going to underwrite any of his wages again.

Leipzig and Dortmund are both interested in Carney Chukwemeka, a very good MF, in my opinion, and still only around 21 years old. Chelsea's Renato Veiga looks bound for Athletico Madrid, where I think he would fit very well.

Still talk of a swap deal between United and Chelsea with Garnacho moving to Chelsea in exchange for Nicolas Jackson. (I wouldn't do it, personally.)

Chelsea open talks with Ajax for LB / CB Jorrel Hato, a Dutch International who is only 19. He would be cover for Cucurella. Pretty big guy, too. Chelsea also talking to Leipzig about Xavi Simons, who they would slot in at LW.

Oh, no! Josh Sargeant turns down his move to Wolfsburg. He wants to stay in England, and Burnley hold mild interest, but they are far off of Norwich's valuation (20M).

West Ham in talks with former Newcastle free agent Callum Wilson for their striker position.

United is in a holding pattern. Juve has sold one of two wingers to pay for Jadon Sancho acquisition, but one more remains to be sold (either Tim Weah or Nico Gonzalez). Real Betis doesn't want to pay United's absurd valutation on Antony (80M??). United can't afford Sesko at striker, and are looking at Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson, but they have to sell before they can buy.

German legend Thomas Mueller may be headed to LAFC in MLS.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Serie A Clubs With the Most Debt: Inter Milan Top Unfortunate List

Inter Milan continue to top the list of Serie A clubs with the most debt along with Juventus and rivals AC Milan.

www.footitalia.com

And the current fiscal situations of the biggest known clubs in Serie A are still bleak.

Italian soccer is a mess.

Fiorentina's owner, Rocco Commisso, wanted to build a brand-new stadium but ran into so many hurdles and so much red tape that he abandoned the effort and is now renovating the current stadium.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Italian soccer is a mess.

Fiorentina's owner, Rocco Commisso, wanted to build a brand-new stadium but ran into so many hurdles and so much red tape that he abandoned the effort and is now renovating the current stadium.

This is very sad. It's like the corruption of the Mafia extends through all aspects of the Italian economy, with Inter's "web of fake sponsorships". Berlusconi of AC Milan was a Trump-like fraud who was elected how many times as president of the country, even after everyone learned of his Bunga Bunga parties.

I read a separate article the other day that said the stadiums in Italy are in such bad shape that they only have 1 that meets the requirements of hosting the Euros. So many stadiums are in need of repair, but they can't get government funding, and the private investment would be too great for many of the teams to shoulder the burden themselves.

 

[cusefan88]

This is very sad. It's like the corruption of the Mafia extends through all aspects of the Italian economy, with Inter's "web of fake sponsorships". Berlusconi of AC Milan was a Trump-like fraud who was elected how many times as president of the country, even after everyone learned of his Bunga Bunga parties.

I read a separate article the other day that said the stadiums in Italy are in such bad shape that they only have 1 that meets the requirements of hosting the Euros. So many stadiums are in need of repair, but they can't get government funding, and the private investment would be too great for many of the teams to shoulder the burden themselves.

What's interesting to me is that France also has some ownership issues and stadium problems. However, they have become the best country at producing talent recently and player sales are helping them a ton.

Italy still has a decent national team but honestly just feels like a ton of stagnation in all regards down the boot.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

This is very sad. It's like the corruption of the Mafia extends through all aspects of the Italian economy, with Inter's "web of fake sponsorships". Berlusconi of AC Milan was a Trump-like fraud who was elected how many times as president of the country, even after everyone learned of his Bunga Bunga parties.

I read a separate article the other day that said the stadiums in Italy are in such bad shape that they only have 1 that meets the requirements of hosting the Euros. So many stadiums are in need of repair, but they can't get government funding, and the private investment would be too great for many of the teams to shoulder the burden themselves.

Yeah. More broadly, Italy is a mess.

Organized crime, government corruption, government ineptitude, resistance to change.

You name it, Italy has got it.

I’ll stop there before I veer into OT territory.

Love the country, the people, the food etc.

Would love to spend some portion of the year there when I retire.

Could NEVER live and work there.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Italian soccer is a mess.

Fiorentina's owner, Rocco Commisso, wanted to build a brand-new stadium but ran into so many hurdles and so much red tape that he abandoned the effort and is now renovating the current stadium.

I love that everywhere but the US stadiums aren't government funded. Why should they be?

Flip side, also love that new stadium in Liverpool failed and Anfield renovation happened/is happening instead. The people have an actual voice in other countries which is refreshing

 

[ImperialOrange]

What's interesting to me is that France also has some ownership issues and stadium problems. However, they have become the best country at producing talent recently and player sales are helping them a ton.

Italy still has a decent national team but honestly just feels like a ton of stagnation in all regards down the boot.

I'd argue Portugal is the best feeder country due to work permit ease there vs the rest of Europe.

Italy is an odd country in that it is still all feudal states that largely dislike one another. Aside from World Cup and F1 with Ferrari Italians aren't Italian, they are Sicilian, Napolitano, Milanese, Roman, etc

 

[ImperialOrange]

Yeah. More broadly, Italy is a mess.

Organized crime, government corruption, government ineptitude, resistance to change.

You name it, Italy has got it.

I’ll stop there before I veer into OT territory.

Love the country, the people, the food etc.

Would love to spend some portion of the year there when I retire.

Could NEVER live and work there.

Largely how I feel about the US at this point...

 

[Forza Azzurri]

I love that everywhere but the US stadiums aren't government funded. Why should they be?

Flip side, also love that new stadium in Liverpool failed and Anfield renovation happened/is happening instead. The people have an actual voice in other countries which is refreshing

Reports are somewhat opaque and even contradictory but Commisso was apparently going to use a combination of his own money and private funding to build the new stadium and still could not get it approved.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Italy is an odd country in that it is still all feudal states that largely dislike one another. Aside from World Cup and F1 with Ferrari Italians aren't Italian, they are Sicilian, Napolitano, Milanese, Roman, etc

True. Most Italians consider themselves Florentines, Romans, Neapolitans, Sicilians first and Italians second.

They tend to root much more fervently for their club team than the national team.

Nowhere was this more evident than when Italy played Argentina in the World Cup Semis in 1990 in Naples and a good chunk of the stadium was rooting for Argentina.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

What's interesting to me is that France also has some ownership issues and stadium problems. However, they have become the best country at producing talent recently and player sales are helping them a ton.

Italy still has a decent national team but honestly just feels like a ton of stagnation in all regards down the boot.

France has benefitted enormously from its former African colonies.

More than 50% of the current national team members are of African ancestry.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I love that everywhere but the US stadiums aren't government funded. Why should they be?

Flip side, also love that new stadium in Liverpool failed and Anfield renovation happened/is happening instead. The people have an actual voice in other countries which is refreshing

Many have been. It's part of the blackmail of franchises who threaten to move to another city.

"There is nothing wrong with building expensive stadiums. What I don’t like is billionaire owners making John and Jane Q. Taxpayer foot the bill. Americans have paid over $10.6 billion to build the current NFL stadiums. But when we want to visit that stadium we helped build, we’re then required to pay that owner $200 per ticket, $50 for parking, $13.75 for a beer and $6.25 for a hot dog. "

Publicly Funded NFL Stadiums — 22ZIN

NFL stadiums are expensive, with the American taxpayer picking up about a third of the building cost. Public funding of NFL stadiums ranges from $0 (SoFi, MetLife, Hard Rock, and Gillette) to over $1 billion (the Bengal’s Paycor Stadium).

www.22zin.com

 

[cusefan88]

France has benefitted enormously from its former African colonies.

More than 50% of the current national team members are of African ancestry.

They're also exporting an insane amount of talent to African national teams too like Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, DR Congo etc.

It's wild.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Since training camps are beginning to open, or will open shortly, teams are trying their best to get their key targets into camp, so they can take on the tactics, etc. of the coach.

I think the next week will see a lot of activity for this reason. Yes, the market remains open until the first international break. But teams want to get their squads sorted.

It's being reported by the BBC that both Liverpool and one of the Saudi PIL clubs (Al Hillal) are prepared to break the transfer record for Alexander Isak, who pulled out of Newcastle's promotional trip to the Far East. Wow. With Ekitike off the market, and him wanting out, they are in a tough spot.

Update: Isak just told the press he prefers a move to Liverpool. How will they find the money after just buying two very expensive guys in Ekitike and Wirtz?

Newcastle trying to pivot to Benjamin Sesko of Leipzig, but his price is really high. I guess they can afford him if they accept 130M to sell Isak.

Leeds just signed a goal keeper from France, Lucas Perri of Lyon.

Napoli might be interested in Raheem Sterling. If they could get 25M to get rid of him, that would be great.

LAFC made a 15M offer to Spurs for Son.

Luke Shaw might quit Man United to cash one final payday in Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool have offered improved terms to Konate, their CB, to try to keep him. They must feel like they can't get Guehi, or else why do that? Hedging a bet, it seems. That doesn't make either player feel better.

West Ham expressing interest in Harvey Elliot. He is open to leaving Liverpool.

Douglas Luiz, the Brazilian who was so good in the Aston Villa midfield a couple years ago, is looking to leave Juventus (skipped training) amid interest from West Ham, Everton and Liverpool.

Aston Villa don't want to sell Ollie Watkins despite interest from Man United. But they hold interest in Alejandro Garnacho.

Arsenal have completed the signing of CB Christhian Mosquea of Valencia. Solidifies their defense. He is one they won't rely on right away, but in a couple years, if they sell one of their CBs. They have had a great window!

Leipzig are trying to get a total package of 70M from Chelsea for Xavi Simons. I think a deal will get done, but it's not a done deal, and that price is a bit expensive.

Boubacar Kamara, an athletic muscular MF for Aston Villa, has just signed a new contract. He's a key guy for their midfield.

Brentford are trying to hold on to attacker, Yoanne Wissa (who had 19 goals last year), with the offer of a new deal.

Spurs are in negotiations with Bayern to bring 30 year old MF Joao Paulhinha back to the Premier League

Wolves have signed Jhon Arias from Fluminense of Brazil. Any of you who watched the Club World Cup know that this guy is a physical handful.

 

[cusefan88]

As far as PL signings I always enjoy following Brighton and Brentford especially. Good scouting department and sporting operations.

Feels like they always snag a few guys each window that they sell for big bucks 2-3 seasons after.

 

[IthacaMatt]

As far as PL signings I always enjoy following Brighton and Brentford especially. Good scouting department and sporting operations.

Feels like they always snag a few guys each window that they sell for big bucks 2-3 seasons after.

There was an article a few days ago, talking about who are the most successful clubs at developing and selling talent. Brighton was up there, along with Ajax and Benfica, Porto, and a couple German clubs, like Leverkusen, Dortmund, Leipzig and Hoffenheim.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Since training camps are beginning to open, or will open shortly, teams are trying their best to get their key targets into camp, so they can take on the tactics, etc. of the coach.

I think the next week will see a lot of activity for this reason. Yes, the market remains open until the first international break. But teams want to get their squads sorted.

It's being reported by the BBC that both Liverpool and one of the Saudi PIL clubs (Al Hillal) are prepared to break the transfer record for Alexander Isak, who pulled out of Newcastle's promotional trip to the Far East. Wow. With Ekitike off the market, and him wanting out, they are in a tough spot.

Update: Isak just told the press he prefers a move to Liverpool. How will they find the money after just buying two very expensive guys in Ekitike and Wirtz?

Newcastle trying to pivot to Benjamin Sesko of Leipzig, but his price is really high. I guess they can afford him if they accept 130M to sell Isak.

Leeds just signed a goal keeper from France, Lucas Perri of Lyon.

Napoli might be interested in Raheem Sterling. If they could get 25M to get rid of him, that would be great.

LAFC made a 15M offer to Spurs for Son.

Luke Shaw might quit Man United to cash one final payday in Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool have offered improved terms to Konate, their CB, to try to keep him. They must feel like they can't get Guehi, or else why do that? Hedging a bet, it seems. That doesn't make either player feel better.

West Ham expressing interest in Harvey Elliot. He is open to leaving Liverpool.

Douglas Luiz, the Brazilian who was so good in the Aston Villa midfield a couple years ago, is looking to leave Juventus (skipped training) amid interest from West Ham, Everton and Liverpool.

Aston Villa don't want to sell Ollie Watkins despite interest from Man United. But they hold interest in Alejandro Garnacho.

Arsenal have completed the signing of CB Christhian Mosquea of Valencia. Solidifies their defense. He is one they won't rely on right away, but in a couple years, if they sell one of their CBs. They have had a great window!

Leipzig are trying to get a total package of 70M from Chelsea for Xavi Simons. I think a deal will get done, but it's not a done deal, and that price is a bit expensive.

Boubacar Kamara, an athletic muscular MF for Aston Villa, has just signed a new contract. He's a key guy for their midfield.

Brentford are trying to hold on to attacker, Yoanne Wissa (who had 19 goals last year), with the offer of a new deal.

Spurs are in negotiations with Bayern to bring 30 year old MF Joao Paulhinha back to the Premier League

Wolves have signed Jhon Arias from Fluminense of Brazil. Any of you who watched the Club World Cup know that this guy is a physical handful.

Bayern Munich showing interest in Diaz. I would expect that if Liverpool can get Isak, they could recoup 60M of that selling Diaz. He is a special talent.

United getting more reality based. Spurs may move for Garnacho for 40M (not 80M that United was originally asking).

If that fails, United would offer Garnacho to Aston Villa in a swap deal for Ollie Palmer.

Aside from Joao Palhinha of Bayern, Spurs are also looking at Kobee Mainoo of United to strengthen their midfield.

Chelsea getting close on acquiring Jorrel Hato from Ajax. Also getting close to selling Renato Veiga to Athletico Madrid.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Since training camps are beginning to open, or will open shortly, teams are trying their best to get their key targets into camp, so they can take on the tactics, etc. of the coach.

I think the next week will see a lot of activity for this reason. Yes, the market remains open until the first international break. But teams want to get their squads sorted.

It's being reported by the BBC that both Liverpool and one of the Saudi PIL clubs (Al Hillal) are prepared to break the transfer record for Alexander Isak, who pulled out of Newcastle's promotional trip to the Far East. Wow. With Ekitike off the market, and him wanting out, they are in a tough spot.

Update: Isak just told the press he prefers a move to Liverpool. How will they find the money after just buying two very expensive guys in Ekitike and Wirtz?

Newcastle trying to pivot to Benjamin Sesko of Leipzig, but his price is really high. I guess they can afford him if they accept 130M to sell Isak.

Leeds just signed a goal keeper from France, Lucas Perri of Lyon.

Napoli might be interested in Raheem Sterling. If they could get 25M to get rid of him, that would be great.

LAFC made a 15M offer to Spurs for Son.

Luke Shaw might quit Man United to cash one final payday in Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool have offered improved terms to Konate, their CB, to try to keep him. They must feel like they can't get Guehi, or else why do that? Hedging a bet, it seems. That doesn't make either player feel better.

West Ham expressing interest in Harvey Elliot. He is open to leaving Liverpool.

Douglas Luiz, the Brazilian who was so good in the Aston Villa midfield a couple years ago, is looking to leave Juventus (skipped training) amid interest from West Ham, Everton and Liverpool.

Aston Villa don't want to sell Ollie Watkins despite interest from Man United. But they hold interest in Alejandro Garnacho.

Arsenal have completed the signing of CB Christhian Mosquea of Valencia. Solidifies their defense. He is one they won't rely on right away, but in a couple years, if they sell one of their CBs. They have had a great window!

Leipzig are trying to get a total package of 70M from Chelsea for Xavi Simons. I think a deal will get done, but it's not a done deal, and that price is a bit expensive.

Boubacar Kamara, an athletic muscular MF for Aston Villa, has just signed a new contract. He's a key guy for their midfield.

Brentford are trying to hold on to attacker, Yoanne Wissa (who had 19 goals last year), with the offer of a new deal.

Spurs are in negotiations with Bayern to bring 30 year old MF Joao Paulhinha back to the Premier League

Wolves have signed Jhon Arias from Fluminense of Brazil. Any of you who watched the Club World Cup know that this guy is a physical handful.

Virgil has limited amount of time left. Think we're looking to find a future CB partner for Konate rather than a replacement for him.

Isak money would come from sale of Diaz and/or Nunez.

Liverpool not spending last Summer allows them head room to operate this summer for whomever they want

 

[IthacaMatt]

Virgil has limited amount of time left. Think we're looking to find a future CB partner for Konate rather than a replacement for him.

Isak money would come from sale of Diaz and/or Nunez.

Liverpool not spending last Summer allows them head room to operate this summer for whomever they want

Yeah, but it's a World Cup year, and Guehi can't go somewhere to be on the bench and only play in the Cup matches. He can't wait a year or two.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Yeah, but it's a World Cup year, and Guehi can't go somewhere to be on the bench and only play in the Cup matches. He can't wait a year or two.

I don't think we'll get Guehi this year which means we're playing with fire at CB. That said we still have Gomez (somehow only 28 years old??) and Rhy Williams back from loan. Robbo deputizes at CB for Scotland at times as well as Gravenberch, Endo or Bajcetic dropping back from DM to slot in. Problem is all the aforementioned are too slow, too short, and/or too inexperienced at this point.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Big news - Bayern buy Luis Diaz for 75M!! Great business for Liverpool. Hard to believe Bayern would spend that much money on a player.

Viktor Gyorkes FINALLY moves from Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal for 63M.

Morgan Gibbs-White signs a new deal with Nottingham Forest, so it seems his move to Tottenham is off. At least for now, but he would surely cost them more than the 60M they offered before to trigger his release clause.

Benfica couldn't afford Chelsea's asking price for Joao Felix's return, so they proposed buying half his rights; meaning Chelsea would retain a 50% sell-on right for the player, if he could get his career back on track in Portugal and earn another move.

Instead, it looks like Al Nassr is going to swoop in and buy him to team with Cristiano Ronaldo. Chelsea and Al Nassr close to agreeing on a fee around 45-50M. It would be great to get him off our books.

Also hearing that Raheem Sterling is beginning to consider a short-term move to West Ham or Fulham to try to resurrect his career and get one more payday. He still is only 30 years old, and could clearly help a mid-table team who looks shy in front of goal.

Asking price is 20-25M, but no salary subsidy from Chelsea. Sterling would have to cut his salary down to about 125-150K/week to fit their wage structure. He's currently making 325K/wk.

PSG are closing in on GK Lucas Chevalier of Lille to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is running down his contract. Chelsea might be interested. Donnarumma is still only 26 years old, and is quite well regarded.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Bayern Munich showing interest in Diaz. I would expect that if Liverpool can get Isak, they could recoup 60M of that selling Diaz. He is a special talent.

United getting more reality based. Spurs may move for Garnacho for 40M (not 80M that United was originally asking).

If that fails, United would offer Garnacho to Aston Villa in a swap deal for Ollie Palmer.

Aside from Joao Palhinha of Bayern, Spurs are also looking at Kobee Mainoo of United to strengthen their midfield.

Chelsea getting close on acquiring Jorrel Hato from Ajax. Also getting close to selling Renato Veiga to Athletico Madrid.

Veiga to Athletico Madrid has fallen through.
I really like him as a player, but he wants to strictly play center back, not fullback or holding midfield.