ScottishRed

I disagree, that used to be the case, it is extremely rare now.

@Kid in the Riot you know how it works now mate with the rise of the power of the agent. Long before any deal has been agreed between the clubs, and this is on any decent sized transfer not just Alex, the player will know via his agent what club x is offering as a package. Indeed the agent will have negotiated that package with club x and the player without the player having had any ‘direct’ conversation. The agent will also have made club x very aware of what the selling club will accept, not just the overall fee but also the payment profile. The player will know exactly what to expect if he gets permission to speak to club x. Going back a good while transfers would regularly fall through because terms with the player could not be agreed. That is almost unheard of now. Once a fee is agreed and the player goes to speak to club x the money side will already be in place.

For Carvaliho I raise you Harvey Elliott. If the rumors are true and Fabinho is off to Saudi with Henderson likely to follow ( £700k a week would be hard to turn down for any player) Liverpool need midfielders which may bring them into the race.

It wouldn’t be my first choice for the lad ( not that my view is remotely relevant), but Wolves could be a smart move. Top class and experienced manager, which is a huge positive for a young player. I expect he would also get a lot of game time. The real negative I have is that they don’t appear to be a ‘settled’ club. There always appears to be negative stuff floating around.

That is very sad to hear. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP fellow Red

It might do, he is a young lad so could be a factor. However, given the amount of money he is likely to be earning very soon, a private plane ride from London for example, is unlikely to trouble his bank account too much.

Despite the fact that he played for them I always had a grudging respect for him. He made the most of the limited abilities he had and had a good career. I echo the thoughts of others, social media is an utter cesspit and it gives a vehicle for people, particularly those with a profile, to spout whatever nonsense they feel like saying. It is particularly dangerous as the reach is potentially unlimited and people can ‘broadcast’ even when intoxicated or in distress. That is very different to someone talking nonsense in the pub after too many Thatchers. I am a little concerned about him.

I have no issue with what he said at all. He has every right to go wherever he wants to. He is a decent player and , more importantly, a decent person but I think coming back would have been a mistake for both parties. I wish him well, apart from the obvious.

The clubs that do that in the EPL tend to be concerned about relegation, not a particularly attractive option for Alex at this stage of his career, and not one that he would be likely to take.

Real Madrid are well known for the ‘assistance’ they receive from the Spanish government. Anyone recall the astronomical profit they made selling their old training ground to the council so they could turn it into......a car park! They were key movers in the failed Super League project with the driver being extra revenue, obviously, to negate the financial power of the EPL. They have already bought Bellingham and clearly want Mbappe. On the pitch they are miles behind Man City, I watched both of the CL semi’s and it was men against boys.That is not something that they will not try to address. I have always felt that they get an easy ride regarding FFP which is much more stringent than in the England. It will be interesting to observe how this plays out.

According to reports Mitrovich is the next target. Fulham have allegedly knocked back a £25m bid.

Simply because you are wrong. Using your analogy, you go into the bakers to buy the last doughnut for £1 but just before you complete the transaction I come into the shop and want that doughnut, so I offer £1.50. The baker will then accept my offer too and let the doughnut decide where it goes. The reason it is an auction is because more than one party wants the doughnut. Supply and demand, it’s one of the basic elements of economics.

Don’t think that is true. If a club offers £25m I am sure we would except it, but that does not make it nessecarily a binding contract. There would be nothing to stop another club offering £26m possibly after missing out on another target. In all of this nothing is set in stone until Alex signs a contract. Witness Joe Bryan agreeing to go to Villa then legging it down the M1 when Fulham made, I assume, a more attractive offer. The better offer does not need to be higher wages.

Same owner. Probably plays a big part in that.

I wouldn’t think they would but obviously he does not need to agree to the move. He comes across as a smart and grounded young man, and whist the money will be attractive, he will know that it will be coming his way soon no matter what.

Don’t disagree with any of that. I think Alex’s move when it comes, will actually be a stepping sone to a truly big club here or abroad unless one of the big 6 in the EPL are prepared to pay £25m now for potential. Man City might, and I would see that as a great move for him. Otherwise he is probably going to end up at West Ham / Wolves / ? Bournemouth has the potential to be a very bad move. Listening to the newish owner I suspect he thinks being successful in the EPL is very straightforward, which obviously it isn’t. How long will the new HC last if they have a bad start. I don’t know why but I get Watford ‘vibes’ about them.

You can if there is a contract in place but I think in Kane’s case, which is very different to Scott, this could be a negotiation move. He has one year left, if he really wants to go then he could force a move through, I think it’s all part of a ploy to maximize what Spurs offer him regarding a new deal. If he decides to stay, and I suspect he will, he is after the goals record and not trophies. I think he might regret that in later years. In Alex’s case he is a very young lad at the start of his career.As things stand he will possibly have to make a decision whether to move on this summer or wait 12 months. He is most certainly not running out of time for money or trophies for a while. I would imagine he and his advisors will be looking at what is best for his development rather than either of the above.

Not commenting on us specifically but more football in general. A number of clubs have big strikers on their books, some play them from the start others use them as a plan B when chasing a game. The one thing I have noticed over the years is when a team brings on a big striker they invariably go long for the remainder of the game constantly with limited success. As mentioned above it is much easier to defend against than quick nimble forwards if you have the ability to find them from midfield.

I just read that concerning his wife. Life can be so so cruel. I sincerely hope he makes a full and swift recovery.

I did read an interview with Dunc where he stated that Carlo wanted him to go to Madrid with him. On a slight aside I find it odd that one of his assistants at Madrid and indeed previously at Everton, is his son.

Hello mate. Personally I think he would be a great motivator - witness his time as caretaker at Everton but I don’t see him as particularly tactical aware, which is important nowadays. Simple question I always ask myself, would I want him here? Answer no. Maybe in a few years that opinion could change but I think he would be a better coach than a manager. Think he could do well in an academy structure

As someone who I suspect is a good deal older than you and followed his career closely as a Scot, I think it’s fair to say Big Dunc was a ‘character’. He had a decent career but is probably best known for going to prison as the first player in the UK to be found guilty of assault of another player during a game. He was playing for Rangers at the time and the SFA refused to step in. If memory serves I think he spent 6 weeks in Barlinne prison in Glasgow. It makes Strangeways look like a holiday camp in comparison. As a result he refused to play for Scotland again. Off the field, in his first spell at Everton, two individuals decided unwisely to break into Duncs house.It was a decision they came to regret prior to the police arriving. He is hero worshipped at Everton and I suspect will end up back there in some capacity.

Very odd in some ways. FGR asked permission to speak to the Forfar manager Ray McKinnon, back end of last week with a view to him working with Big Dunc. McKinnon is rated as a good coach.

For what it’s worth I expect him to go on and have a good career. I have no idea how it came to this and is disappointing, but I don’t think he let us down on or off the pitch. I wish him well.

Crazy. What he means is that we need more football that generates money for FIFA / UEFA and of course himself. I love football, as I am sure most on here do, but it’s going to eat itself with people like him a n positions of power. He does of course need the money, the upkeep on that house in Qatar must be costly.