Di Canio set to steal McManaman for £7m

I haven't seen anything of this Redmond who we are rumoured to be spending £2 million on. Just wondering if anyone's seen him play before and if he's anywhere as good as McManaman?

I remember Gwladys Street giving him a standing ovation after pretty much the best display from a defender I ever witnessed), and some lad called Wayne who came from our youth system. (Ironically another one that ended up at Man Utd!)

Only time will tell of course and I'd want a lot more for £7 million. I won't list the players we've picked up for less than that figure – because it's our entire squad, bar Fellaini.

Redmond at £2 million offers better value and similar potential. Incidentally, a relegated club, an unproven but promising midfielder – I reckon McManaman will go for nearer £4 million.

I'm sure Martinez and his scouts will know considerably more than any of us fans pretend to know. All us fans can do is see these guys in a few games or so, we can watch them on YouTube, look at their stats and read a few quotes from managers and journalists. It's always fun to play Fantasy Manager though...

The kid from Brum would be less of a gamble. Buy him for £2M and put him into the team. Don't do a Moyes and leave him to rot on the bench or in the reserves.

I'd like to see him at this club, and personally, think we could get for nearer £5M than £7M.

I'm not worried who Roberto brings in; he obviously knows his onions re creative players but, for my money, Macca is the trickiest most direct winger in the division. I'd be delighted to get him.

I reckon we have potentially the best manager in Europe...

Counting the days.

McManaman was released from the same batch that produced Rodwell with words to the effect of "too small, never going to make it". Not every player needs to be a Harlem bleeding globe trotter unless you want a yard dog outfit like Stoke.

He's a decent player with pace and the price is about right for those attributes unless you scout foreign leagues and unearth a gem, even the lower league prices in the UK are high these days... It's not as if any of this should be a surprise to anyone.

"Not every player needs to be a Harlem bleeding globe trotter"

Good shout, I seem to remember Alan Ball being told he wasn't big enough..

At our ground in the cup he ran rings round us, and didn't do too bad in the final either, did he.

One players £2m & the others £7m! he may not be twice as good, but if he has that certain something that's the difference between being good & being brilliant he will be worth it.

I'd prefer option (a) then we have signed Redmond for £600k – which does make I worth a punt.

Big mates with Kevin, the two of them would cause havoc; some shit-hot players in Belgium at the moment...

With Redmond, you just never know which direction he is going to go, and again has pace and directness. I wouldn't be unhappy if we signed either of these as they would certainly create chances for our forward(s).

I think we have good young lads who were not given the chance on a regular basis last season, to prove their worth without buying anyone that we're not 100% sure of, just to make our squad bigger.

Have a look at a map for how close Formby is to Carrington.

Pace to burn and he can finish. You can never have too many players like that.

The 2 wide players are both worth taking a look at but goals are vital and I don't see Anichebe getting enough regardless of how many chances are created and there is a big question mark over Jelavic.

And on the subject of Ba, I read somewhere that WBA are looking to try and take him on loan this season, a must surely. Born to play the central striker position and proved he can do it in the premier league.

I think McManaman would more likely be available around the 5m mark.

They picked him up for 5mn Euro two years ago so he only has 2yrs left on his deal. Dual footed, fast and can play either wing or the central playmaker role. Scored 19 goals in all competitions for PSV last season and made another 5!. £8mn offer for him (or maybe Heits plus a few quid?) and we've got cover for Fellaini, Pienaar, or Mirallas and probably Pienaars eventual replacement.

...or we can have McManaman!

Ricky Van Wolfswinkel. £8.5 million to Norwich who will also get Redmond.
The money is flying about but Martinez will probably need to take stock before he moves for anyone.

Saying that, in the season where he got the record I think I am right in saying he scored around 20 league goals. So I suppose it depends on what you are looking for.

These figures are pure fantasy.

He seemed like a one-trick-pony to me - albeit he gave us the runaround, and did for Clichy in the cup final. A handful of good games doesn't prove it for me, and just having loads of pace and the ability to drop your shoulder and go past people isn't enough to convince me that he has the ability to make it in the Premier League.

The kid needs a full season of league football to really convince that he's worth a punt.

What did they buy him for any idea?

I know Everton let him go. But that don't mean much.

No way he's worth 7 million. Just by looking good in a few cup games. He as pace but I didn't see much else.