BigJim

Malbranque is just the latest in a long line of high profile players who have allegedly turned us down.

We should be looking at Europe, where perhaps the club has a better reputation. How about one of those Brazilian hotshots Olveira or Baptista?

Or, perhaps more accessible, Benni McCarthy? Now Blackburn have dropped their interest we won't have to compete for his signature!

Hmm... Valencia want Baros, Liverpool want Aimar - it's not to hard to see a deal in the making there, so let's just cross those two off our shopping list.

As for Figo, I tend to agree with Picasso - I don't think he has the drive left in him.

But I wouldn't mind D'Alessandro or Saviola.

See Spurs are in the chase for Andy Johnson, adds to the speculation that Robbie Keane is on his way out.

Newcastle are interested, but surely he would choose us over them? Wouldn't he???

Kewell has lost his sparkle for me. I rate Boa Morte much higher.

Anyway, Kewell is reputed to be on ridiculous money at Anfield. If that's the case, he won't be going anywhere.

Think we will enquire about Malbranque but be put of by Fulham wanting over 6mill.

Fulham might want over 6m, but they will soon realise nobody is going to pay it. I think they may cash in on him this summer, and I think we have a chance - more chance than getting Parker.

And Boa Morte would be my choice left winger too. He may appear to lack motivation some times, but I have seen games where he works hard, and his talent is quite exceptional.

As for diving, everybody seems to be doing it these days. I hate it - 'bout time the refs got it sorted.

Perhaps you don't speak fluent Finnish, Allstar? If you did, surely it would put your mind at ease to know that there was at least someone at the club you could talk to (unless you speak Portuguese of course.)

I would say our 3 Hispanics would be a big advantage in attracting players from Spain, or Argentina in this case.

I mention Spain because I think it's more likely we would be looking there. DOL doesn't like having to give our S American contingent time off for internationals.

Something like 9 goals in 35 for ManU...sounds like a striking statistic we are already familiar with

Yes, he certainly looks the business Ryu.

The "only" trouble is, as DOL might see it, the time lost by S American players on international duty, which already causes us a problem with 3.

Anyone remember Torrado from Mexico in the last World Cup? Star of that team, hard tackling midfielder, fluent passer with either foot. Was playing for Sevilla, almost signed for Everton, don't know why it fell through - possibly work permit issues, but he now has a Spanish passport.

Just in case we need another midfielder

They're not very similar as football players either, from what I've seen of them.

Also, is D'Alessandro getting capped regularly? Would there be a work permit problem?

when he does play, he's rubbish

If you're basing that on his goalscoring, I don't think you're being fair.

He's not in there to score goals but to create them.

D'Alessandro would be brilliant IMO. Finally a playmaker!

I agree he's brilliant. Bit worried that he appears to have an attitude problem though. If he's using substances which verge on breaches of antidoping regulations it may be wise to steer clear of him.

Berger and Bergkamp? Bolton here we come!

Actually I'm a bit surprised by the news. I thought Pompey were going to hold out for more than 6m.

Perhaps they realized in the last window that nobody was going to offer any more.

Thanks for checking Pablo, I'm glad it wasn't me , no need to apologize really, it is hard to keep track of who says what.

Far from calling for our youth to be chucked, I have said I would give him a run of games in the first team, as JG did with Darius. I don't think CC is necessarily a better prospect.

Guardian's Football Unlimited:

"Middlesbrough have completed one of the first major transfers for next season by signing Portsmouth's 22-year-old Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu for £6m. No official announcement of the deal has yet been made by either club and Yakubu will play for Portsmouth until the end of the season.But Middlesbrough have reached an agreement with Pompey and with Yakubu's former club Maccabi Haifa, who are entitled to 50%of the transfer fee above the £1.5m they received from Portsmouth two years ago. "

Looks pretty authoritative to me.

werent you the person saying lay off carlton cole because hes only 20, even though hes nearly 22?!?

If that's directed at me, Pablo, I don't remember saying anything of the sort. The last thing I said about CC was that his attitude might change when he signs a permanent deal with someone. In any case I can't see the relevance to this thread, but no doubt I'm missing something.

One down, how many to go?

Yakubu signs for Middlesvilla.

The first Aaaaaaargh of a painful few months I fear.

JPA, Drat, has it occurred to you that the "good voters of VT" may be a little tired of seeing people trying to score points off each other?

That was before he even made a first team appearance for us

Yeah well, a lot of *us* thought he was the new messiah before he made a first team appearance as well. Would Arsenal sign him now? I rather doubt it.

Me? I'd sign him, stick with him, give him a good run of games in our first team next season, alongside Angel (if he wakes up) or someone else yet to be defined. If he shapes up (and I have a feeling he will) great. If not, ship him out.

signed a new deal with Ajax in December, is now ready to leave on loan

No more loan deals, please! I mean, it's not like we're short of cash these days.....

cant see how any striker we buy, will do miracles without new quality blood in the midfield

I'm sure you're right about that.

And in answer to your signature question, I think technically the sea level would fall if you removed all the sponges!

TRL, Like I say, I know he can do a job, he proved that last season.

But whatever the reasons for failure this season, I want to see him on the bench next season if he shows signs of repeating the act. It's not a personal thing - we have to be ruthless if we are going to become a top team.

OK, we can probably find statistics to "prove" JPA is as good/better or not as effective as (insert your favorite striker).

The point is we absolutely must have someone else to play instead of JPA (permanent repacement or until he's back on song - doesn't much matter which).

A lot of people have been unhappy with JPA this season. I'm one of them and I don't happen to think he's as talented as everybody makes out, but that's unimportant - I know he can do a job and I'll be happy to cheer him on when he finds his shooting boots again.