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Message: [QUOTE="IthacaMatt, post: 2254433, member: 405"] As a couple mega-transfer stories pick up steam, it could set some dominoes falling. As many of you have read, PSG appears willing to pay Barca's release clause of 220M Euros for Neymar. Neymar is said to be very interested in the move because he remains in the shadows of Lionel Messi, who probably has another 3 years in his legs. Neymar is 25 right now and really growing into his prime. He will never win a Ballon D'Or while he is Messi's sidekick. That's what's behind the move. He would be able to be the leading player at PSG and build his personal legacy. Ligue Un is a league that PSG should dominate, providing them with a dependable platform for Champions League glory. And an attacking lineup of Neymar on the left, Cavani through the middle and Angel DiMaria on the other wing with Julian Draxler (who had a great Confederations Cup tournament) in the #10 role (or vice versa), that's one hell of an attack. I would like to see it happen. It would create another super team, and it would harm Barca, who I kind of dislike, although I admire their sustained excellence. And the other mega-move is that Kylian M'Bappe of Monaco (the next Thierry Henry, honestly), who has always said he wants to go to Real Madrid and be a Galactico, seems like they are making a move for him at around 180M Euros. That move is being financed by the sale of James Rodrigues (via loan, first, for purposes of their FFP books) to Bayern Munich, and then Alvaro Morata to Chelsea and Danilo to Man City, and that frees up a lot of money to finance the move. If they get M'Bappe, as it appears to be more likely, then Real Madrid will be looking to sell Gareth Bale. Man United is interested, but only if it's an easy deal and not a struggle. If Mourinho got Bale as his attacking winger, to go with all the talent they have collected, holy crap, that's a team that ought to challenge for the title for several years to come. Arsenal seems to be getting closer on Thomas Lemar of Monaco, another of their athletic attacking midfielders, and are also said to be making a move for William Carvalho of Porto FC. He would finally solve their problems in holding midfield. If Arsenal can get those 2 deals across the line (and keep Sanchez and Giroud), holy cow, that, too is a team that can compete for the title. Well, with maybe another central defender. But with Lacazette added up front, and another solid midfielder in Sead Kolasinac, who they got on a free transfer, Lemar and Carvalho, that's suddenly another serious contender. Tottenham still with no signings. A couple more of their young players are going to get chances in the first team, but boy, if I was Pochettino, I would be getting antsy that they haven't signed a winger to replace Kyle Walker and another striker to back up Harry Kane. They need that, and Levy has to stop being so cheap. He needs a change in mentality to match the ambition of his coach and his top players. Spurs cannot remain a selling club. They must strengthen, with just a couple players, or they will get worn down from the schedule. City are throwing around money like crazy, and have signed three terrific fullbacks in Danilo, Mendy and Kyle Walker. They added more creativity in the middle of the pitch in Bernardo Silva. and a new goalkeeper in Ederson who looked very good in the first pre-season match that I saw. They still need one more central defender who is dependable, but they also look much improved. And how about Everton! They added a whole new spine to their team this summer: Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from Sunderland, young central defender Michael Keane from Burnley, Davy Klassen from Ajax to add skill and savvy to their midfield, Sandro Ramirez from Malaga to play striker, they added two wingers in Henry Onyekuru, a left winger from Belgium, and Cuco Martina, a right back from Southampton. And then there's the return of Wayne Rooney. Everton is going to have a very deep, talented squad and a terrific coach in Ronald Koeman. They could make a push for top 4, even without Lukaku, so long as Ramirez can give them about 15 goals, and Rooney another 10, to add to an already deep and talented roster. [/QUOTE]

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