Liverpool in talks with Ben Arfa? Nearly sold Lucas last week?

Hmmm. I hope Lucas goes, but Ben Arfa, I dunno, a definite 50/50.

What has he done to you?

And rightly so too. £60k a week.

Well F*ck off Roy trying to sign Paul Konchesky.

Taylor is our best defender and I'd love to see him stay but if he is going to demand an inflated wage packet then he is clearly not dedicated to the club for the right reasons any more.

If he goes that means we need to bring a 7 players in, instead of 6.



We can't exactly name our price either, as if they don't manage to sell him he can walk away for sod all next summer.



If talks break down completely and he is sold, I could see him ending up at either Arsenal or Tottenham. Chelsea have said they aren't after any more defenders, City don't need him, United don't need him especially as they've spent £10 on Smalling in the same position, which leaves me with Arsenal, Spurs and as an outsider Liverpool.
Wennger has made it no secret he is after another defender, Spurs could do with an extra centre half especially if Woodgate is finished, and Liverpool could do with a bit more strength at the back.

Can't see many other clubs willing to pay him any more then Newcastle are offering.

Not a chance. I like Taylor and would prefer him to stay but he's not our best defender.


Another 7 players?

I think so, there is still a lot of crap in that squad. We can't afford that many but its what we need.

Lovenkranks isn't PL standard. Routledge has pace but his crossing is largely terrible. Can't see Ranger ever being good enough. Leon Best is a Championship player. I would start with those four, and if Taylor goes that would be five. Our squad isn't laden with quality to start with, so new signings are needed. Add Alan Smith, who gives his all but has all but lost his mobility.

Looking at our centre backs a fit Taylor is better than any of the others, fact. Coloccini still looks like a liability. Campbell isn't the player he was. Williamson looks a solid defender but very poor with the ball at feet.

I think you're expecting far too much. It's not as if we're going to be selling all of those players either. There is still crap in the squad but there is also some promise.

Lovenkrands was fine in the PL last time and performed very well in the Championship. Not a world beater but a decent option and very much needed in our squad as he's the only striker we have with genuine pace. Routledge doesn't have as much pace as people make out but uses his good footwork to get away from defenders. Again not a world beater but is another decent option. How many times have you seen Ranger play? I agree that Best and Smith aren't good enough.

You said defenders first off, which is why I questioned it. Enrique is the best player in our squad, nevermind just our best defender. Coloccini is also better than Taylor. It could also be questioned whether Campbell is better than Taylor, same for Williamson. Like I've said, I like Taylor - he's one of my favourite players and I'd like him to stay - but he isn't our best centre-back. Coloccini was a rock last season and has started this season well. Both he and Williamson had a couple of slightly dodgy moments at Old Trafford but both still came out with a lot of credit. They were both awesome on Sunday too.

Four reasons why Newcastle won't go down this year; Blackpool, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan Athletic

We are meant to be 'in advanced talks' with Kamil Zayatte, no, please dont let it be true!!!

Had our new offer for Ben Arfa accepted too, fingers crossed it comes off.

Have we? ? ? Says who...

I thought the deal wasn't going any further due to his high wage demands? ? ?

A French sports paper says something about 25 games for us and then weh ave to pay 5% (of what i dont know), to FIFA.

As much credit as Barca get for their charity work and so on, their players are an utter embarrassment to that club. The way they conduct themselves in the media and the complete lack of respect they have for other clubs, it's hard to believe they get such 'respect' around the world. All summer, all you hear is Barca players calling clubs out and so on to let their players go, it's pretty embarrassing.

Yes, Barcelona do some amazing things around the world.
Which players are you talking about?


Elsewhere... He's a crafty one that Rafael Benitez

I guess he's talking about the players who've been coming out saying Fabregas should move to Barca and how great it would be for Fabregas to play at Barca and so on.

Villa, Pique and Puyol? Anyone else?
Journalist asks player if former club player, lifelong club fan and 'local' lad would be a good addition to squad. Player says yes. SHOCKER!

Yeah quite a few actually, how about: Messi, Xavi, Pique, Puyol, Pedro, Iniesta, Busquests and Guardiola.

Bit more than just answering a question, you can't believe it hasn't been done to unsettle and tap up Fabregas plus the whole putting the Barca shirt on him too.

Their Chairman, even if he has spouted a lot of crap during the whole saga. Seems to have been picked up by the French media now anyway with several reports saying he just needs to agree terms with us.

Dear me Gareth, please tell me you haven't started believing the NOTW now?!




From what I can gather, 5% of the agreed transfer fee goes to Ben Arfa's previous clubs.

That's Xavi.



That's the fudgepacker.



That's the 'greatest captain ever ever'.



That is Messi's input on Mascherano.


There are probably many more, but why don't they just shut up and keep their nose out? Is it fair on Arsenal/Liverpool fans to have people like Messi and Xavi rubbing their nose in it? Who are they to come out and tell clubs how to behave? If Messi is after the humane thing, maybe he should give Liverpool the extra £10m we want, as his club are wasting our time.

Pique, Puyol and Reina. I suppose a Fabregas-less Arsenal would be a boost for Liverpool.
It's been an open secret that Fabregas wanted to 'go home'. Really don't see what's so different about this transfer saga (to use Skysports speyk) compared to many others.

The difference is you don't usually have seven players and the coach coming out trying to unsettle a player with comments in the media. Everyone knows he wants to go back to Barca but plenty of players want to leave clubs but you don't get this very often.

Who's the lass presenting the Champions League Draw?

Don't get to many games so only see Ranger for us on the telly, my mate goes over regularly though and has had very little in good words to say about him and he is a fairly positive sort of fan.

Coloccini loses concentration and composure far too easy. It was more than a dodgy moment when he was stood, finger up his *rse, too slow to react when Fletcher was right next to him. I'll give him time to prove he can justify the money we paid for him though.

Routledge can get away from defenders but what is the point in having a player that can beat men but has sod all of an end product whether it be pass or cross.

Ok I agree about Lovenkranks, I don't think he is good enough but is perfectly adequate as a squad player.

Very nice Mr Alex

See you in Round of 16.