Absolutely.

Isn't it ultimately what an academy at our level is meant to provide - players to enhance your squad thus saving money or those that other teams are willing to pay handsomely for.

The only real difference between a club that has to sell & one that doesn't is what you can demand for your academy products.

Will this be five? It's gonna be five! It IS five!

Do I think it’s a bit early? Maybe. But it’s the opportunity of his life in a short and uncertain career & United really wanted him, so good luck to him.

He truly is a fantastic defender - one of the best in Europe even without the rose tints on and has an impeccable temperament which should hold him in good stead. Will always hold him in a very high regard.

As for us. I am doubtful this 50m will simply be reinvested on players. But considering the fact he was on the periphery of the youth team & got his chance circumstantially, it’s still good business.

I think the one thing we need to take from this is that we *must* start giving youth a chance. We’re in the heart of South London near estates of kids doing nothing but playing football. Our academy really is the one asset we have and we should be utilising it better.

At least one youth player a year getting some first team action has to be the aim from now on.

Edited by Mstrobez (26 Jun 2019 1.45pm)

We're the Arthur over ere!

It’s been reported that there is no inclusion of a sell on clause on the AWB deal and no removal of the clause on the Zaha deal.
If this is correct it would seem to me that we have a short term need to get a lot of money in as opposed to taking a longer view.
Taking into account our relatively limited spending in recent windows I am concerned about the clubs finances moving forward.
Freedman’s role seems to be very much about cost cutting and the players we have been linked with this window are again free transfers, potential loans or players with buy out clauses.
I acknowledge that we don’t want to repeat expensive mistakes of the last few years but don’t see why we can’t compete for younger players as e.g Bournemouth did for Brooks and Leicester did for Maddison.

Let's also not forget that Hodgson wouldn't let him go out on loan because he wanted to include him in his playing squad.

Old, Ungifted and White

Yup, screwed again

Edited by AmericanEagle (26 Jun 2019 2.15pm)

Edited by AmericanEagle (26 Jun 2019 2.16pm)

Virtually all deals are money in instalments.

Next you’ll be outraged because they didn’t put a whole seasons worth of water on the pitch in one go.