Other clubs' transfers

Losing Palhinha is definitely not good news for Fulham; he’s their best player by some distance

Rumours have them asking after McTominay who Ten Haag seems to be a fan of and not inclined to make available, and Hojbjerg who gets a bad rap from Spurs fans but always looks pretty decent when I see him, although I don't really see him as a direct replacement for Palhinha.

Bakayoko rejected the move to Brentford after they agreed a 40M fee with PSV. I wonder if they come back in for Brennan now.

I still can’t see Brennan going to Brentford.

It seems wrong. They're unsustainable.

That’s fine, they pay 50 million now, we buy him back once they are relegated for 20 million. If we’re selling based on FFP, then I don’t have an issue with who he goes to. I don’t think any of us expect Brentford to be relegated this season, so in many ways they are no different to many clubs outside the ‘top 6’.

Are Brentford really much less realistic a club than, say, Spurs? I like Ange, but they aren't really a big club any more are they? I accept they will go and win the Prem now.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis signs for Southampton, so he's off the list. Assuming we are still in the market for a central defender, which seems unlikely unless someone leaves.

England U21 Captain who just won the world cup. I'm slightly surprised. Thought a lower PL would come in for him. Guess he'll get lots of playing time at least. Probably good for his career.

I'd kind of assumed the Murillo is our Harwood-Bellis - plus he's ours as opposed to on loan (and we've used up our 2 loans anyway, assuming Tavares HWG turns into actual signing.

Not sure any premier league club is going to play him every week - it’s just too big a risk at that age. Obviously Southampton’s stakes are also high this season but they’ll think they can score enough to make up for any mistakes.

Assuming everyone fit, we have Felipe, Niakhate, Boly, Murillo, Worrall (Biancone, McKenna). Is that enough, given Felipe and Niakhate are somewhat frail?

And Chelsea sign yet another player on an insanely long contract. Presume CHO out means Palmer in?

Plus Aurier and Cheeky Koyote can fill in at a push.

Wily Koyote

The amortisation "dodge" of selling academy players to fund expensive new players on long term contracts is all very well but they (and we) still have to find the same amount of inbound money to cover that amortisation next year (and the year after and for the following 6 years in Chelsea's case).