23 Jul 2026 15:07:56
I see a lot on this so I'm just curious. In a perfect world we land all our reasonable targets for a fair price on day 1 of the window but that isn't possible.

Would people prefer?
A. We sign those preferred targets early in the window but we pay the premium for early business you get the integrstion and pre season under way.



B. You hold out for the fairer terms / calling clubs bluff. You probably end up paying a bit less or get to react to how else the transfer market shakes out (a bit like how we signed Raphinha) but sacrifice the team cohesion it provides in pre season.

1.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 15:35:25
The problem that I always see in that scenario is we don't ever seem to get that bargain fee for that strategy.

I shall beat Baz to this (Raph exception) . ???

So, if our data models have been doing their thing all Seez, then to me, go get the player that the data said is your man.

2.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 15:37:47
Waiting is fine as long as we do get who we want, otherwise, you get past a certain time and the market becomes a seller's one and prices rise.

3.) 23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 2026 16:25:21
Get in first and pay the money (if you believe it is fair and affordable within the nonsense fair play pish) .
After the transfer window, nobody gives a hoot as to whether a player came at a good price or whether it was too high, only that we have the players we want and need.