[SIGNED perm] Rey Manaj

The meltdown in this thread wasn't quite as bad or presumptuous as it was when we were linked with Afobe, but still - good times.

 

Thanks. I am very sceptical of any rumour to be honest because, as you say, only a fraction turn out to be true and I'm sure many are agents talk or just simply lazy journalism. Would be nice to hear some positive transfer news at some point!

 

Yes. I'm now angry that I can't boo him in person.

 

The forum will finally breathe a sigh of relief when the window closes without us signing any of these players we have been linked with.

 

Yeah tbf, I'd seen a few sites regurgitating the Marca story this morning but upon searching for the source, it looks like that story's possibly from Sunday. Maybe we are front of the queue now Sorry to throw a spanner in the works. You can resume meltdown, Malts.

 

Then of course there'll likely be moaning that we've not signed enough players.

Regardless of what happens, there'll always be a bunch on here trying to find ways of using it as an excuse for a moan.

 

We’ve not signed enough players.

 

Nobody needs an excuse for a moan, the club presents cast iron opportunities for them day in day out.

 

Certainly those looking for opportunities will find opportunities.

 

Yes it’s called supporting Watford FC.

 

Erm, yet it doesn't stop people moaning about rumours of players we're not even signing, believing the spin of the butt-hurt FGR manager before any details have come out, reading things in to ex-players' comments which aren't there, et. etc.

 

Yes, remarkable isn’t it considering this is a discussion forum and not a fan club.

 

I was rebutting your claim that "nobody needs an excuse for a moan" - when many on here still repeatedly search for excuses for one.

Also, a lot of the time it's not a "discussion forum" but a "bash angry messages in to the keyboard addressed to no one about some imagined wrongdoing" forum.

 

As opposed to being a happy clapping seal who spends their whole time trying to find the good in every single situation, what precisely is the difference?

 

I certainly don't need any excuse to moan. My Mrs either. I can't even put on her underwear without her going into one.

 

It's possible to not be someone who constantly wets the bed at the drop of the hat, and also to not be someone who is a happy clapping seal who only looks for the positives.

 

Some enjoy criticising, and look for such opportunities, others wait and criticise the facts when appropriate.
However nothing wrong in moaning about the prospect of signing certain rumour-linked players (or not bidding for others) as long as it's accepted that it's only a rumour and may be rubbish (other than those subject to Burnsy's ITK verification of course....genuinely Burnsy !)

 

Wouldn't worry - she's like that with me too.

 

Shouldn't it rather be taking off her underwear that gets your Mrs to moan?

 

Funnily enough you're not the first to tell me this. Am I missing something?

 

True but it really depends on whether I go for the pink and pot a brown instead.

 

Looks like it's happening. What's the betting that Bayat has got his stench all over this one somehow.

 

French in the mud

 

Yeah, no doubt this festering abomination of corrupt evil and incompetence that is our Board will find some way to bankroll that parasite Bayat and his money laundering cronies, vomiting all over our beloved precious little club.
Booooooooo !

 

#WelcomeRaymond

 

Andrew French has been told by the club that any links with us are a ‘load of rubbish’.

I was told different but his sources are undoubtedly better than mine I’d think!

 

It’s so Watfordy to sell a well-liked, talented player and cite the ‘rule of 11’, only to replace him with 2 non-homegrown strikers.

 

…but Leventhal has confirmed he’s in the UK (with a pic of him at Heathrow).

 

It's very tough to know at the moment whether to be furious with the club for being on the point of signing such a carp player, or be furious that they are missing out on another target.
Either way, FFS Gino.

 

Barcelona striker Rey Manaj is now in England to have talks with Watford ahead of a proposed transfer, The Athletic can exclusively reveal.



He arrived at Heathrow airport terminal 5 on a flight from Milan just after 2.30pm on Tuesday and was followed soon after by representatives that arrived on a separate flight from Malaga, Spain.



The 25-year-old confirmed to The Athletic that he would be meeting with officials from Watford to discuss a potential move. Manaj also revealed he is considering various options from other clubs including in Serie A and La Liga.



Watford are in the market for a striker and internal discussions over the last few days have outlined that Manaj is an interesting proposition that they are looking at. Although talks are now taking place, and those working for Manaj are confident that a move to Watford will be sealed, further negotiations need to happen before a deal is agreed.



If Manaj reaches an agreement in the next 24 hours it is likely he will return to Barcelona before then flying back to England later in the week to complete formalities and join up with his new teammates.



Manaj spent last season on loan at Spezia. They had an option to buy him at the end of the campaign for a fee of €2.5 million but did not take it up.



The Albania international scored five goals in 30 appearances last season in Serie A.



He has one year remaining on his existing deal at Barcelona.

From Leventhal

 

Even the player himself after arriving for talks has said he’s considering other offers….

(The fact he’s in the country for talks rather than letting his agents do the talking suggests he’s here to sign though!)

 

I swear that is a photo of the training ground canteen at AFC Bournemouth.
Boooooooooo !

 

Clearly fake. No-one smiles at a UK airport these days

 

I think he could be decent for us, though wouldn’t want him coming in as the first choice. So it all depends on the context of this transfer. Bring in someone else alongside him and this lad will do well in his supporting role, and chip in with his fair share. He’s had a lumpy development so far and maybe not taken the right steps (dropping down to the third tier with Barca B after doing fairly well in the Segunda, doing well and then going on loan to a relegation candidate in Serie A which was a big step up and tricky circumstances). Hopefully this move will give him an opportunity to find his feet and show his level and for free and at a good age we could do worse.

My one concern (and it is a key one) as I said yesterday is whether this is a good use of one of our precious non-HG spots. But I don’t really know how everyone is informed enough to know that he’s awful or bargain basement crap. HB1 reckons he’s decent and @reids said he could offer something just not as our main striker.