Hurrah, a full back rumour. http://londonfootballnews.co.uk/wes...nd-southampton-in-pursuit-of-irish-full-back/
This bloke is already 23 and has been kicking around QPR, and elsewhere, for four years. He can't be that good. On top of that, he's apparently a Royal Panda.
We've been "alerted to his availability". We responded "**** off. 1/ We've already got loads of FBs, 2/ He's british, so expensive, 3/ We're going down so he'd never sign for us.
He's their second highest rated player on whoscored so far this season (just behind Eze, who is a good player), and has 3 assists in 11 appearances. He tops the club’s charts this season for: chances created, assists, crosses, tackles, possession won, touches, and fouls won. Maybe he's the Irish Andy Robertson? We're desperate for a decent new left-back, and he sounds an attainable option. Having said that, the article also claims Southampton are confident of getting him, in which case there's not a chance we could compete for a player with such a prestigious club.
Ryan Manning is again a player we've been linked with. https://www.footballinsider247.com/...watford-race-to-sign-london-club-left-footer/ Apparently us, West Ham & Norwich are having a foot race to see who will sign QPR's left-back. Rumour has it the race will start at the London Stadium and take the form of a relay. Each club will be allowed to use a maximum of 92 paid club employees to hot foot it from West Ham's ground to Carrow Road before finishing at Vicarage Road. At Carrow Road each clubs mascot will be waiting at the ticket office to be handed the race baton from, say, Karen in accounts - a new mum and currently undertaking a punishing fitness regime which includes boxercise, Zumba & Mr Motivator videos - to then complete three circuits of the pitch before slamming home a penalty against former goalkeeper David Icke, who will be in full lizard costume. They will then make their way to the Robert Dyas megastore in the high street before passing on their respective batons to each clubs version of Ryan from hospitality - a keen fell runner and dog sled enthusiast who is currently sofa surfing due to a misunderstanding at Dunkin' Doughnuts. That isn't why doughnuts have holes Ryan, they have always been carried out in boxes. Idiot. First to Watford who then kisses Graham Taylors feet in front of the club shop gets to sign Manning. Basically it's your typical Pozzo deal - nice and straightforward.
Stopped taking the article seriously after this beauty The Premier League big guns... This reporter is clearly mocking us, West Ham and Norwich with that line. He’s whooshed everyone reading it.
Undeniable Truth he's not British - the lad is from Galway, Ireland. Don't think he's trained long enough at QPR before turning 21 in order to be classed as home gown.
https://twitter.com/TransferCentre9/status/1296496765387104263 We're close to signing this guy apparently.
Definitely seems to be leaving QPR (left out again tonight). Blackburn supposedly in for him though, not sure if he is on our radar.
I'm not sure #HMSpeethechamp even has radar fitted? I'd guess we can only just about afford binoculars after our relegation.
Hope perhaps rather than expectation. People adding two plus two and coming up with five. He would be a decent addition. I expect several other clubs and a couple in the PL would be interested too.
It doesn't seem likely to me that most Championship sides will be able to afford to buy players this season. With Covid reducing stadium capacities to 0, I imagine for a lot of clubs it will be necessary to keep any transfer monies received in order to meet ongoing concerns. That will probably limit the number of clubs able to submit bids for players like Manning.
QPR's defending against Cov tonight was shocking. We moan about the quality of some of our defenders, but their defenders make our look world-class.
Oh yeah, we're definitely in a better position than the vast majority of Championship clubs even with our debt. Been reading some season previews, and some clubs up to really close to the start of the season didn't have anyone in certain positions, at least we have an injured Masina and players who can at a push play LWB! Worried about Suarez leaving making our striking options thinner? The rest of this division would LOVE to have our 6 current striking options. It's slightly worrying thinking about our financial position, but it must be TERRIFYING for other clubs
How are West Ham and West Brom for left-backs? Seen them sniffing around for Manning, needless to say they'd be able to outbid us
Yes, I'm sure many of the established sides in the league are staring down the barrel of a gun right now. This is far worse than the ITV digital fiasco.
If reports of Femenia going to Getafe are to be believed, we will be very short of full back options. Surely this guy or someone else must be signing this week? We can't go in with a smaller squad than we currently have for the Luton game!
Leventhal has stated we are looking at Manning in the Newport post match Q&A. Would be a great signing, although imagine he is hoping for a PL offer. Also mentioned Dimitris Giannoulis at PAOK but given his MOTM performance to knock out Benfica in the champions league that seems fanciful.
Is there anywhere I can read this? Desperately need a left back and either would improve us instantly. I mean Akpom did leave PAOK to join Boro not sure if he was a regular for them but it is worth noting a big increase in wages and the opportunity to show his capacity in England must be a pull for players. Its the lack of any real rumours that is worrying. Matija Nastastic looks like he's available from Schalke but he's going to be well out of our range as is everyone who has a fee on their head.
https://theathletic.com/2081708/2020/09/21/watford-newport-county-score/ it is in that thread, but it is a pain in the arse format to read. He gave very little info. Akpom is a championship quality player, whereas Giannoulis looks to be a top flight quality player.
Giannoulis has been linked for a while with some reports of our interest coming out of Greece too. PAOK lost 2-1 in the first (away) leg of their Champions League play-off tie last night, and I think they want to keep him if they get into the Champions League, easing financial pressures on them. The second leg is next week so can’t see selling before then with so much sporting prestige and cash at stake. Several other clubs (including Newcastle before they signed Lewis) were interested but lots have moved on. Atalanta might be interested now though and you could see why he’d go there. I reckon he’s our first choice, and considering the fact that we still need more bodies out the door and off the wage list, we’re happy to wait. Reckon Manning’s the second choice and if/once it becomes clear that Giannoulis isn’t available, or is going somewhere else, it’s a move that could accelerate quickly. Just a hunch though. Manning would be a decent signing. Perfect for that LWB role as very good going forward (I think he created significantly more chances than any other full back in the league last season) but a bit suspect defensively for a back 4, or to play on a weaker side in the Premier League.