Official Transfer rumours and gossip thread

[Sydney_Iron]

"The window is open for all clubs in Europe's top five leagues on Monday, January 1st 2024 and closes on Thursday 1 February 2024. In England, the window will close at 11pm (UK time) Players linked in Andr?© Trindade (MF) - Fluminense Jonathan Tah (CB) - Bayer Leverkusen Dan Axel-Zagadou (CB) - Stuttgart Serhou Guirassy (Str) - Stuttgart Akor Adams (Str) - Montpellier Hugo Ekitike (Str) - Paris Saint-Germain Ronnie Edwards (CB) - Peterborough Ian Maatsen (LB/LMF) - Chelsea Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) - Southampton Players signed Kalvin Phillips - Man City (Loan) Linked out Benrahma Kehrer - Monaco Ings - Southampton Cornet Nayef Aguerd Fornals Players confirmed out Kehrer - Monaco (Loan) Kriszti?°n Hegyi - FC Den Bosch(Loan) Gideon Kodua - Wycombe Wanderers (Loan) Conor Coventry - Charlton spacer"

[Sir Alf]

"I read, please correct me if wrong, that the complication is homegrown player quotas? Leads us to having to look at predominantly UK players or players who have played for an English club for x years? I agree with Vexed about Phillips having to play if there is any truth in us being interested. I would differ a bit on the subject of what he does, yes he has predominantly sat in the DM position but at Leeds and England he was the one that had a go at running with the ball and creating openings. Linking defence to midfield which would mean Paqueta in a free role. He is also technically sound and very strong or was when he last played regularly. The issue is more about fitness and time to get sharp and full match fit which can take a little while ( a run of games ) which is why some of our ressies are even worse than when we last saw them. They dont get a look in. Moyes old skool approach is hierarchical with him as a ""commander"" not a ""leader"" of a team based culture. DOnt question him, he is always right and he is ""closed"" not open minded? These seem to be the rumours over the years which results in players saying ""he doesnt talk to me"" if not in the team on the day, and coaches like Warbarton and Pearce not listened to and feeling it best to resign?"

[PastyTime]

"Vexed 3:55 Fri Jan 19 Disagree. Soucek might score the odd goal but he cant pass forwards (see Tuesday, or any other game tbh) or do much else apart from defend corners. Phillips can pass forwards. Playing Phillips alongside Alvarez will make us move the ball forward better imo. I also think JWP has been playing more of a no 10 of late, pressing higher up pitch which has worked a lot better. But its meant soucek is forward less. If you are going to do that, might as get a midfielder who is comfortable on the and can progress the ball rather than someone aimlessly running about."

[threesixty]

"The more I think about the Philips thing the more strange it sounds. It feels more like exec who has heard that an england capped Man City player is available and therefore must work for us. But why? What problem does he solve accept cover for Alvarez? If he plays the Soucek role then maybe, but that means your benching soucek for the whole season because Philips isn't coming here to be a sub. And you dont get any of souceks goals. (not sure Philips is known for scoring?) We REALLY need a left sided player, a striker and someone jr to deputise for Alvarez. I dont know if Philips fits in with any of that. I also think that finding players in other leagues that can hit the ground running fairly quickly is what Tim has done 3 times now. I wish they'd just give him the brief and let him get someone in rather than picking dysfunctional players from the Prem with silly wages."

[fraser]

LJC - maybe but there have been stories saying it for the lady two years from when we last tried to sign him.. So yeah you're right that's me making it up.. Loads of ITK last time said he doesn't want to move south.. So whether they're right or not but no smoke without fire..

[LJC]

Hahahaha Fraser come off it mate. Read that article again… seems very definitive with its mights and maybes….

[Fauxstralian]

To be honest I'd think we'd get better value in Europe .... a big athletic Frenchman who can win the ball and keep it as a replacement for Soucek Not sure Phillips even owns a pair of boots and a £7m loan fee for half a season is crazy To be honest never really rated him .... for England I thought he was their Drinkwater to Rices Ngolo Kante

[Fauxstralian]

To be honest I'd think we'd get better value in Europe .... a big athletic Frenchman who can win the ball and keep it as a replacement for Soucek Not sure Phillips even owns a pair of boots and a £7m loan fee for half a season is crazy To be honest never really rated him .... for England I thought he was their Drinkwater to Rices Ngolo Kante

[fraser]

"LJC - no I didn't make it up it has been mentioned loads of times by various sources that he prefers to stay in the north near family. Just like Rice wanted to stay south.. I've read it loads of places, was first mentioned 2 years ago. Just a quick. Google and the first story was this Well, according to TEAMtalk, Newcastle have been given one less thing to worry about as Kalvin Phillips might actually prefer to sign for Newcastle. While it has yet to be revealed his final decision, the report states that Phillips would prefer to stay in the North of England if given the choice, so a move to Newcastle may be favourable over a move to London"

[Vexed]

"JOHNNY V 3:58 Fri Jan 19 What the fuck is he then? Straight up DM, has literally nothing else to his game."

[JOHNNY V]

"Phillips will play the same role alongside Alvarez as he does for England alongside Rice, its anything but a DM role."

[LJC]

Fraser so you just made it up? He hasn’t played in Germany but doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to go? What a strange assumption.

[Vexed]

"PastyTime 3:35 Fri Jan 19 I did, it was crap. If you think Phillips is coming without guaranteed game time then you're dreaming. So that means either dropping Alvarez (madness) or playing two DMs which is even more fucking negative than the ultra negative shit Moyes serves up now. Soucek at least scores a few and gets in the box. Yeah he's shit on the ball but so is Phillips. This would have zero effect on 'number 10' options because we dont fucking play with one. We have two of the best number 10s in the league and we dont play either of them at 10. Moyes doesn't know what the fuck he's doing."

[Russ of the BML]

LJC 3:29 Fri Jan 19 He's well down the pecking order at the Arse. Arteta noshing Havertz off in front of you must get tedious. Arse are trying to shave their wage bill to sign Toney.

[fraser]

"He hasn't before has he, but it depends if he wants to get in the England squad and what his other options are. This story is definitely getting legs though so maybe he's had a change of mind."

[LJC]

I didn’t think he wanted to come south anyway Fraser? Philips actually played Cb at Leeds. Not that I’m saying that is where he should play.

[PastyTime]

Vexed 3:12 Fri Jan 19 Did you read my post? I am suggesting he would play when Alrerez is out (he'll have a two match ban at some point and often doesn't often finish games). I am also suggesting he plays the two of them together which would give more options at number 10. I really believe Moyes would drop Soucek more if there was another good DM at the club.

[fraser]

Phillips also helps cover centre back as in an injury crisis Alvarez could fill in there while Phillips covers him.

[Sir Alf]

"Anything that means Soucek not starting every game and playing 90 minutes every game is real progress and Phillips will have to play as Vexed says or he wouldnt be interested ( if he even is ) in the first place. But his big issue is injuries. Was always suffering problems at Leeds although the fast paced Bielsa impact injuries highly unlikely in Moyes version of it which is akin to a couple of pensioners knocking a ball back and forth across a tennis court :-( But wide left midfield needs to be sorted as does a central striker ( Bowen is not suited to it especially with his back to goal ) and right wing back. That sorts out the first 11 or so but then we need to build a whole squad to back them up that is ready and able to play. That has been one of Moyes absolute failings. At this point with what 10 or 11 days left, I will still be surprised if we get anyone in of note. We shall see I guess."

[LJC]

Smith Rowe on loan now? Can’t see that happening.

[Nutsin]

"Vexed I think I’ll pass on your opinion thank you. I remember your scouting report on Rice and how you told us all how shit he was. Phillips wants to get into the England squad, so playing in the Prem would be preferred to get Southgate attention. To suggest that he’s not good enough for us if he is not good enough for City is retarded."

[Percy Dalton]

Moyes probably wouldn't play Philips anyway well certainly not in place of Souceck. He's the first name on the wankers team sheet

[Lee Trundle]

"This doesn't really sound like a man desperate to be rid of him: ""And I've said many times, if it comes to January and he stays, I'm more than pleased because he trains really good and he's a lovely guy and character."""

[Vexed]

"PastyTime 2:28 Fri Jan 19 Use your loaf. Alvarez is three times the player and must play. Why get an expensive loan to sit on the bench? Injured all the time. Has had zero football in...... fucking ages and will not be match fit/ready. He's not a great player. He has irredeemably stupid hair. City desperate to unload him, hmmm why do you think that is? If Moyes wants him then it's bound to be a shit fucking idea."

[Lee Trundle]

"Downes better than Phillips? hahaha It's not quite as good as comparing the football we play to Muhammad Ali, but it's up there with some of the ridiculous things I've read on here recently."

[Browno22]

"Young lad at Southampton who would fit in better than Phillips, local boy too. Flynn Downes..."