I think it's more a case of several things mentioned in page 5 of the signing players for the sake of it' thread. Have a read.

The main thing we've done in this window is court a player, player appears interested but agent wants more wages (maybe Jenkinson). We walk away and talk to another of our dozen possibles and wait and have one call back when he and agent realise we're the best and the best offer they're going to get. Or we could offer them all the £10k more per week. Same applies to clubs wanting £X mil more.

I'm glad we are going here there and everywhere so there are options rather than none in August during the month stall on Benteke apart from 3 outfield players of the 7 needed plus Mandanda.

Edited by Rudi Hedman (27 Jan 2017 9.32am)

COYP

Whoa that price has shot up !!!! Sky sources understand Crystal Palace have agreed a £14m fee with Sunderland for Patrick van Aanholt.

The Dutch international has handed in a transfer request to Sunderland and will now have a medical in London.

Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain has told us: “If a player openly states he does not want to play for our club, then it is clear that we have a decision to make. In this instance and in regard to this particular player, we have done what we feel is right for Sunderland, which will always be our priority."

[Link] bit more on the recent news

Dont let Cabaye go

[Link]

£14m is ridiculous but if thats what it takes!

Are we paying over the odds ?

People I talked to last night mentioned a fee of £1.5 Mill but not that much in it I suppose.

Let's go down to the Championship where we will start winning once again, will walk away from 'Selhurst Park' smiling once again and where we won't need to pay these ridiculous prices !!!!!!!!

These days 10 mill is nothing for a PL player, at least we are off the mark this window

Responsibility Deficit Disorder is a medical condition. Symptoms include inability to be corrected when wrong, false sense of superiority, desire to share personal info no else cares about, general hubris. It's a medical issue rather than pure arrogance.

£10m also being quoted. I think some including Sunderland will count every conceivable add-on because they want to justify the sale when he is one of only two decent outfield players they have.

Ultimately you always overpay in January - particularly when you are known to be desperate. £70m less than Pogba sounds about right

£14m sounds crazy but Sunderland ain't selling on the cheap to a relegation rival are they?

You clearly haven't seen the lad play much have you?

After a few weeks you will be tearing your hair out and asking for a refund.

Very good going forward as an overlapping fullback and always chips in with a few goals and assists, but defensively he is absolutely shocking. Constantly out of position, caught ball watching all the time and often seen jogging back into position after needlessly giving away possession in a bad position.

If you have watched a lot of us this season (It's painful, believe me haha) you will realise that he alone has been responsible for at least half of the goals we have conceded this season.