c1982

I'd be very shocked especially at the price they'd want to recoup. I would like us to get 2 'top' strikers in - maybe one with a bit more experience e.g Dzeko, Mandzukic, Gomez, Huntelaar and then maybe Janssen. With the amount of money Koeman will have I don't think that's too far fetched at all.

Long is okay and effective but I can't see us paying what Southampton would demand. Maybe Koeman can get Niasse (remember him?!) up to standard and have him as the impact player Long often is. On the subject of who Koeman may bring from Southampton... Dave Watson the gk coach for them and England is highly regarded - worked with Hart, Butland, Foster and Forster in his time at Birmingham (where he got a lot of credit for development of the 1st 3), Southampton and England. If you don't know who he is you'll recognise him if you watch the England games - seems a very influential figure.

Top 3-4 will potentially extend Vardy's Champions League and England career. Leicester / Vardy have agreed to a realistic release clause on a recently signed contract - there's obviously at least one side open to this. Equally it could be Leicester cashing in while his stock is high.

Don't think he'll get an opportunity like this again. Take it while his stock is high - a mid table Leicester season next season (which I expect) and most will forget about him. Can see Kante leaving this summer too.

Wow, Arsenal have triggered Leicester's £20m release clause. Interesting deal - I'd expect him to make the move if it's true.

Only Leicester had better form over the 2nd half of the season (19 matches) than Southampton. http://www.twtd.co.uk/league-tables/competition:premier-league/form/matches:19/type:home-and-away/

Koeman gives us a bit of steel to go with the flair - perfect combo for me. He'll need to get our players a lot fitter though. His mid/end of season form (since Jan) for Southampton was incredible so hopefully he can bring this formula to us.

Signed today supposedly...

Koeman and Monchi? http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-manager-latest-koeman-monchi-11420014

I hadn't read the first bit as a link... just thought it was underlined and in blue (don't know why?!) Previous question retracted!!!

He organises the players though and am pretty sure he has at least a say in their signings. Out of interest what is the Southampton structure for signing players?

I get that people may prefer Emery (and Monchi) but still think Koeman would be a great appointment. Southampton are a very good team - he's done better than Pottechino had league wise and look what Pottechino's done with Spurs. Koeman has signed some quality players and seems to give the younger lads a chance. His teams play decent football too. I'm happy either way. Either appointment would excite me.

It was £25m for the pair... http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/10285189/bournemouth-reject-bids-for-callum-wilson-and-matt-ritchie-from-west-ham

Didn't West Ham have £20m rejected for him (and £15m for Richie) a few weeks ago? He looks very good but not £20m good (yet) but then again Lukaku doesn't look the £65m player being touted. As you say, that's the price these days.

https://twitter.com/barcastuff/status/737914101515595777

If we had won the FA Cup this season by drawing every game 0-0 without a shot on target and scraping through 1-0 on penalties each round then I would have been delighted. Individual performances are soon forgotten... winning a major trophy is a lifetime memory. I was too young to experience the success in the 80s, I will never forget 95 - once again a little too young to fully enjoy it. Been to Wembley 4 times since to watch EFC and the only game I truly enjoyed was a 0-0 bore draw against Man U because we won (on pens).

Everton are my only team but when I'm not watching us I like going to Walsall or Burton. I've been to watch Wolves and WBA a lot in the past too usually when there's an unwanted season ticket off mates or mother-in-law (Wolves STH). Was dragged to Wolves most weeks as a kid as my best mate's dad was high up in Goodyear so he'd sit in the director's box while me and his son sat with the player's families - they tried to convert me but not a chance (it helped that they were shite!)

Monchi the 'brains' behind Sevilla is leaving his post. Could be significant in our search for DoF/ manager (Emery)... Good read. http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-división/15/blog/post/1981765/monchi-the-man-who-made-sevilla

I read somewhere that Simeone said he wanted to manage another of his old clubs eventually... that points to Inter if he's off. That may open the door for Mancini. Personally I think something very positive is rumbling. Wishfully, I see it playing out with Overmars appointed DoF and Dein brought onto the board then Koeman to follow very soon after. If this did happen like this then I would be pissing myself in excitement for Usmanov's billions following!!!

I can see at least a 3 way battle for him this summer with Man U, Man C and Barca. I've read Mascherano is off to Juve and expect Stones will be their first choice.

I don't want Pellegrini... De Boer, Koeman or Emery all seem better options for me.

He's off guaranteed this summer and we'll get paid handsomely because he is a class striker. If we get De Boer I'd like him to bring Janssen in - looked good vs England and sounds brilliant from reports but also someone like Huntelaar - getting on a bit but scores for fun. I like the idea of a young up and coming striker being used alongside/ rotated with someone who's done it at the very top. Milik will no doubt be linked if/when De Boer comes. Embolo will be class but he may be after a bigger move... we'll have the money so why not?!

A lot of our defensive problems have come from the coaching. Jags and Mori could easily be these no nonsense defenders - Jags proved to be under Moyes for many years. I'd argue Stones would look the player we all hope he'll be in a team coached not to mess about at the back. His class would still shine through as his long distribution and vision is excellent.