If we're going with diminutive Italians, Insigne just shades it over El Sharaawy for me. El Sharaawy has always been a better goalscorer, but I think Insigne is slightly better technically and has better vision. Insigne would also be much more expensive though

He's pint-sized though. And not like regular pint-size; bloke is actually smaller than Giovinco. At some point that's going to become a problem in England. It has already posed problems for him in Italy. Class talent though, no question about it.

Yeah leave them alone. Go for the level up Gotze or Isco

Rex wrote:

I'd be more than happy if Man U keep signing players like Mane.

Indeed. Its as if they truly are hellbent on turning into Liverpool.

Klaus wrote:

Rumours that United have made a deal for Sadio Mane. Jon Ross seems to think it's £24 million plus addons. Koeman tore into Mane the other day at his presser calling him unprofessional. He probably tried to force a transfer.

Thats the sort of transfer that would have worried me under Fergie but now it looks very much like a Liverpool style move.

Yeah, it feels like a Liverpool-type of transfer, but I think it's a good short-term signing. United have two problems right now: a fundamental lack of pace and skill. Mane will bring both. Martial is the only one in their team who has even heard of the concept of dribbling.

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/leicester-complete-3-75million-swoop-for-demarai-gray

Great signing for Leicester

Klaus wrote:

Yeah, it feels like a Liverpool-type of transfer, but I think it's a good short-term signing. United have two problems right now: a fundamental lack of pace and skill. Mane will bring both. Martial is the only one in their team who has even heard of the concept of dribbling.

Well, it seems like they are getting Felipe Anderson too. They might have one of the fastest front 3's if they sign both Mane and Anderson. 

I hate the Anderson rumours so much. On one hand I think he'll flop completely under van Gaal (it's basically like mixing oil with water), but it would be such a shame to see him waste a chunk of his career in that shithole. He's a rare talent and he deserves a manager who can harvest it. Wenger should get in the game.

Anderson is having a really average season for Lazio though, so fingers crossed if they sign him he will continue in this form.

Yep, he's been in and out of the team since october. This is a good time to sign him if you're going to commit to him in the long term though. Half a year ago Lazio wouldn't have let him go for anything less than £40 million. We could probably get him for a little more than half of that now.

Clrnc wrote:

Anderson is having a really average season for Lazio though, so fingers crossed if they sign him he will continue in this form.

Yeah, I thought he would continue that form he had last year, but Lazio in general have been poor this season. They're like the Southampton of Italy. 

Another aspect that makes me have reservations with Anderson is that he relies on his pace often. He could turn out to be another Cuadrado in England. I think that pace has a stronger effect in Italy; Salah is doing much better over there than in England (but both Salah/Cuadrado were coached by Mourinho).  

@[deleted] they're still looking for 50m or more euros for him. 

We'll see what the fee ends up being I guess, but my feeling is that the quoted 50 million euros was more of a "hands off" fee whereas Lazio are actually willing to listen to good offers this time.

no interest in europe for pato, so he's headed to the chinese 2nd division.

http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/78790_corinthians_accept_bid_for_alexandre_pato_from_tianjin_in_china.html

What the fuck? Stupid guy really, going for money.

Seriously? Seems like that's that for his career at the top level then.

that's quite a list of over the hill Brazilians that's playing and coaching in China. Does China sign players from other foreign countries?

Guys, read the story. It says that Corinthians have accepted a bid for Pato from a Chinese club, not that Pato has agreed to move there. In fact, the text states the exact opposite:

Pato and his agents have insisted that they are only interested to a move to Europe, preferably to a club that competes in the Champions League

Lot of money though. Wish we would try to get him.