2013 Summer Transfer Thread

[Crybaby Bunting]

Let's not forget that there's still a realistic chance that Dortmund could actually win the Bundesliga this year, just because Bayern completly cleaned up last season doesn't mean that they'll be able to replicate it this season.

Without Gotze they could do fine with the replacements they bought to give their squad more depth, especially considering that Bayern are only an injury or two away from being worse off than they were last season.

[Lineker]

Nah, Bayern will still win the league but it should definitely be a lot closer this time around.

[Dynamite]

BREAKING: Tottenham are considering offers for Gareth Bale from more than one club. (Source: Sky Sports)

So if Sky was to just make up a rumour of an English club joining the race for Bale even though they know he's 99% off to Madrid, loads of punters start assuming this mystery club is United/Chelsea/City and lump on a few quid on them at fairly decent odds (United to sign Bale has gone from 14/1 to 6/1 I read), Skybet would make back a fair bit of whatever they lose when Bale does go to Madrid? Or is that an over-simplification of the way the betting market works since I'd assume they'd have to change the odds of him going to Real too?

[TCO]

To be fair, BBC are reporting it now too. He's definitely going to go to Madrid but there might be another team testing the waters too.

[Jimmy]

It's not like clubs interested in Bale is exactly a story - I'm sure there are loads interested. We're probably just over exaggerating the interest to get more money. Don't see him going anywhere other than Madrid.

[METALMAN]

Nah, Bayern will still win the league but it should definitely be a lot closer this time around.

I'm not so sure. After all, Goatse has gone from Dortmund to Munich.

[Lineker]

Suppose a lot of it depends on how well Bayern adapt to Guardiola's new tactics.

[Crybaby Bunting]

It'll also depend on how much Gotze recovers from his injury, it's a pretty nasty injury to be receiving so early in his career and could lead to future problems if it isn't rehabbed perfectly.

Plus it might make him wary of pushing his body, and his speed and fearlessness was part of the reason he was so highly rated.

[METALMAN]

Either way, Dortmund have lost one of their best players, and with him the team last year they couldn't quite compete on the same level as Bayer

[Crybaby Bunting]

Mkhitaryan for Gotze isn't really a downgrade though, considering they're getting a more refined player for one with potential.

I'm pretty sure that signing Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Sokratis would give Dortmund a much better team than if they'd just kept Gotze for another season. They've improved areas of the pitch that they were a little weak in, and a good team beats good players everyday.

[stokeriño]

To be fair, BBC are reporting it now too. He's definitely going to go to Madrid but there might be another team testing the waters too.

Have you not noticed that BBC Sport has gone tabloid since the end of last season?

[METALMAN]

Well I've never heard of those players so I'm going to assume they aren't very good.

[Liam]

BREAKING: Tottenham are considering offers for Gareth Bale from more than one club. (Source: Sky Sports)

So if Sky was to just make up a rumour of an English club joining the race for Bale even though they know he's 99% off to Madrid, loads of punters start assuming this mystery club is United/Chelsea/City and lump on a few quid on them at fairly decent odds (United to sign Bale has gone from 14/1 to 6/1 I read), Skybet would make back a fair bit of whatever they lose when Bale does go to Madrid? Or is that an over-simplification of the way the betting market works since I'd assume they'd have to change the odds of him going to Real too?

They should, in theory, push out the price for Bale/Madrid.

Also, in markets like this, a move from 14/1 to 6/1 doesn't require much money at all.

[The Quasi Juice]

City, Monaco and PSG could afford to pay the same price I suppose.

[ZJ Penn]

Manchester United could possibly too. In fact most top teams could if they're structuring it like Real supposedly are - £20 million-ish a year for four years.

Bale to Arsenal!

[TCO]

Man City would be best advised staying away from Bale and signing a centre back so Javi Garcia never has to play there again.

[stokeriño]

If I were Abramovich I would be emailing an offer over for Bale right now, just to enjoy Spurs' reaction.

[Plubby]

If I were Abramovich I would be emailing an offer over for Bale right now, just to enjoy Spurs' reaction.

I was just telling my friend this. I would have offered 70 million, and told them "we had 100 but we lost 30 mill somewhere."

[stokeriño]

"P.S. I also have Chiriches' agent sipping brandy in my front lounge, but don't worry your pretty little heads about that."

[Jimmy]

Apparently Spurs inquired about Mata, but, shockingly, have been told he's not for sale.