The Football Thread - Page 2046

**Devius** · August 28th, 2017, 07:45 PM

Barcelona have completed a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele for an initial £96.8m, potentially rising to £135.5m.

The 20-year-old France international signed a five-year contract at the Nou Camp alongside the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Monday.

The deal is the second most expensive of all time, eclipsed only by Neymar's recent £200m move to Paris St-Germain.

Barca said Dembele's contract has a release clause of 400m euros (£369.6m).

Dembele said: "I'm very happy to be here. It has always been my dream to be at Barcelona and now I'm here I'm very happy.

"It is the best club in the world with the best players in the world."

Dembele's last appearance for Dortmund came in the German Super Cup on 5 August. The Bundesliga side rejected a bid from Barca earlier in August, with the player then suspended for missing training.

Dortmund said they rejected Barca's approach because their offer "did not correspond to the extraordinary footballing and additional value of the player and the present economic situation of the European transfer market".

With regard to the agreed fee, Dortmund said in a statement the payment of add-ons "was agreed up to a maximum total amount of approximately 40% of the fixed transfer fee".

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41075084

**gordian_knot** · August 28th, 2017, 08:47 PM

Naby Keita to join Liverpool - next year.

http://sportslens.com/liverpool-agre...-keita/215834/

Apparently Lverpool are after yet another winger, but have had a bid rejected.

http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...s-thomas-lemar

If they were to get him and Keita, and keep Coutinho, by my reckoning they would have about 50 midfielders/wingers

. (Well, maybe only 15).

Alexis Sanchez hands in transfer request.

http://www.calciomercato.com/en/news...ds-in-tr-40636

**victor meldrew** · August 28th, 2017, 09:54 PM

PSG have managed to find away around the FFP rules as Mbappe will sign on a season long loan with an option to buy next summer.

The Gooners have denied Sanchez has handed in a transfer request, Wenger has confirmed Alexis is happy at the club and is hoping he will sign a contract extension.
Having seen the look on AS boat after the Liverpool debacle, he looked far from happy, even the pictures of him in training he looks miserable as sin.

**m100** · August 29th, 2017, 06:29 AM

Alex oxlaide chamberlain apparently moving to chelsea. If he'd gone abroad then I think wenger may have just got away with it but nearby and to a team almost guaranteed top four anyway then I'm starting to think we are witnessing wenger's last days in charge.

**victor meldrew** · August 29th, 2017, 10:19 AM

Sky sources claiming Man City will make an offer for Alexi Sanchez this week and possibly include Sterling as part of the deal.

**m100** · August 29th, 2017, 10:48 AM

walcott and sterling! He's only missing andy carroll then and he's got the set.

**victor meldrew** · August 29th, 2017, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m100

walcott and sterling! He's only missing andy carroll then and he's got the set.

He does not need Carroll, as he already has one of his own, Welbeck.

**gordian_knot** · August 29th, 2017, 04:11 PM

I can understand Man City ditching Sterling in that deal, because although he's a talent he's generally unproductive and Sanchez is much better. But Oxlade-Chamberlain? He's worse than Sterling for end product. I don't see what Chelsea and Liverpool see in him. Both have better players already.

Yet more Bale to Utd stories surfacing. Apparently he got booed by Real Madrid fans at the weekend and that meant (to some journos) that he would on his way. I suppose it's guaranteed clickbait.

**victor meldrew** · August 29th, 2017, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordian_knot

I can understand Man City ditching Sterling in that deal, because although he's a talent he's generally unproductive and Sanchez is much better. But Oxlade-Chamberlain? He's worse than Sterling for end product. I don't see what Chelsea and Liverpool see in him. Both have better players already.

Yet more Bale to Utd stories surfacing. Apparently he got booed by Real Madrid fans at the weekend and that meant (to some journos) that he would on his way. I suppose it's guaranteed clickbait.

Man city don't want to ditch Stirling, but the Gooners want Sterling as part of the deal. As City are desperate to sign Sanchez, Sterling will be on his way.

I quite like the Ox, but I believe his progress has been stifled at le arse and Chelsea might well be the making of him, if he gets to play.

**gordian_knot** · August 29th, 2017, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

I quite like the Ox, but I believe his progress has been stifled at le arse and Chelsea might well be the making of him, if he gets to play.

That'll be the problem for him. Willian, Hazard and Pedro will be hard to shift, and with Morata, Fabregas and Kante certain starters, that leaves the Ox on the bench except when others are rested. Still it can't be worse than being in the worst Arsenal team for decades. And he could win a title, something he'll never do at the Emirates.

August 28th, 2017, 07:45 PM	#20451
Devius Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: It's a London Thing.... Posts: 23,508 Thanks: 142,115 Thanked 228,345 Times in 23,542 Posts	Ousmane Dembele: Barcelona complete £135.5m deal for Dortmund forward Barcelona have completed a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele for an initial £96.8m, potentially rising to £135.5m. The 20-year-old France international signed a five-year contract at the Nou Camp alongside the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Monday. The deal is the second most expensive of all time, eclipsed only by Neymar's recent £200m move to Paris St-Germain. Barca said Dembele's contract has a release clause of 400m euros (£369.6m). Dembele said: "I'm very happy to be here. It has always been my dream to be at Barcelona and now I'm here I'm very happy. "It is the best club in the world with the best players in the world." Dembele's last appearance for Dortmund came in the German Super Cup on 5 August. The Bundesliga side rejected a bid from Barca earlier in August, with the player then suspended for missing training. Dortmund said they rejected Barca's approach because their offer "did not correspond to the extraordinary footballing and additional value of the player and the present economic situation of the European transfer market". With regard to the agreed fee, Dortmund said in a statement the payment of add-ons "was agreed up to a maximum total amount of approximately 40% of the fixed transfer fee". Details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41075084 __________________ "I've had it with them, I've had it with you, I've had it with ALL THIS - I WANT ROOM SERVICE!* I want the club sandwich, I want the cold Mexican beer, I want a $10,000-a-night hooker!"* Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

August 28th, 2017, 08:47 PM	#20452
gordian_knot Vintage Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gordium Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 6,524 Thanked 13,823 Times in 1,209 Posts	Naby Keita to join Liverpool - next year. http://sportslens.com/liverpool-agre...-keita/215834/ Apparently Lverpool are after yet another winger, but have had a bid rejected. http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...s-thomas-lemar If they were to get him and Keita, and keep Coutinho, by my reckoning they would have about 50 midfielders/wingers . (Well, maybe only 15). Alexis Sanchez hands in transfer request. http://www.calciomercato.com/en/news...ds-in-tr-40636 __________________ - "The whole of anything is never told." - Henry James "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." - George Orwell

August 29th, 2017, 04:11 PM	#20458
gordian_knot Vintage Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gordium Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 6,524 Thanked 13,823 Times in 1,209 Posts	I can understand Man City ditching Sterling in that deal, because although he's a talent he's generally unproductive and Sanchez is much better. But Oxlade-Chamberlain? He's worse than Sterling for end product. I don't see what Chelsea and Liverpool see in him. Both have better players already. Yet more Bale to Utd stories surfacing. Apparently he got booed by Real Madrid fans at the weekend and that meant (to some journos) that he would on his way. I suppose it's guaranteed clickbait. __________________ - "The whole of anything is never told." - Henry James "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." - George Orwell

August 28th, 2017, 09:54 PM	#20453
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,778 Thanks: 531,920 Thanked 180,035 Times in 15,766 Posts	PSG have managed to find away around the FFP rules as Mbappe will sign on a season long loan with an option to buy next summer. The Gooners have denied Sanchez has handed in a transfer request, Wenger has confirmed Alexis is happy at the club and is hoping he will sign a contract extension. Having seen the look on AS boat after the Liverpool debacle, he looked far from happy, even the pictures of him in training he looks miserable as sin.

August 29th, 2017, 06:29 AM	#20454
m100 Vintage Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,505 Thanks: 5,110 Thanked 11,919 Times in 1,489 Posts	Alex oxlaide chamberlain apparently moving to chelsea. If he'd gone abroad then I think wenger may have just got away with it but nearby and to a team almost guaranteed top four anyway then I'm starting to think we are witnessing wenger's last days in charge.

August 29th, 2017, 10:19 AM	#20455
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,778 Thanks: 531,920 Thanked 180,035 Times in 15,766 Posts	Sky sources claiming Man City will make an offer for Alexi Sanchez this week and possibly include Sterling as part of the deal.

August 29th, 2017, 10:48 AM	#20456
m100 Vintage Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,505 Thanks: 5,110 Thanked 11,919 Times in 1,489 Posts	walcott and sterling! He's only missing andy carroll then and he's got the set.