January transfer window rumours.

[Colburn_Claret]

Vitinho whether we think so or not believes his best position to be left wing back, so maybe in time that's where Vincent Kompany sees him. At the moment we have Charlie Taylor and Maatsen who can play on the left. Come summer both of them may not be here so Vitinho may slip back into his favoured position as one of the two we would need there

I can't remember which games, I think it was when Maatsen was suspended for his Red Card, but Vitinho looked brilliant at left back.

[Vegas Claret]

The Moroccan player we have allegedly got a pre-contract agreement in place for the summer from Portugal is also a right back.

I can't see the Murillo thing being true - the source appears to be a Panamanian journalist giving an opinion based on Kompany previously managing him as opposed to anything substantive.

no idea either way, but it's a rumours thread !

[Abu_Hassan]

Vitinho whether we think so or not believes his best position to be left wing back, so maybe in time that's where Vincent Kompany sees him. At the moment we have Charlie Taylor and Maatsen who can play on the left. Come summer both of them may not be here so Vitinho may slip back into his favoured position as one of the two we would need there

He said that his best position was right back, but he could play left side too.

[Andingle]

Screenshot_20230112-171401_Twitter.jpg (507.45 KiB) Viewed 8059 times

[Newcastleclaret93]

Screenshot_20230112-171401_Twitter.jpg

Disappointed to see Helm go, thought he was one of our stronger academy players.

[Socrates]

Disappointed to see Helm go, thought he was one of our stronger academy players.

Are you still an Academy player at 21?

[boatshed bill]

Disappointed to see Helm go, thought he was one of our stronger academy players.

TBH, from what I've seen he hasn't got what it takes for the PL or Championship.
I admire the lad for going somewhere to try to get first team football.
Best of luck to him.

[Goody1975]

He said that his best position was right back, but he could play left side too.

Yep, he said that on an interview to the club on Clarets Player.

[It Is What It Is]

Obafemi is someone who I fear could rock the boat in dressing room.
From what I have read, he is far more interested in himself than the team...a bit Weghorst like.
I may be wrong but is he really our best option up front?

[Newcastleclaret93]

TBH, from what I've seen he hasn't got what it takes for the PL or Championship.
I admire the lad for going somewhere to try to get first team football.
Best of luck to him.

Yes good luck to the lad

[warksclaret]

Yes good luck to the lad

Would there be a fee, or a free ??

[123EasyasBFC]

Obafemi is someone who I fear could rock the boat in dressing room.
From what I have read, he is far more interested in himself than the team...a bit Weghorst like.
I may be wrong but is he really our best option up front?

Best mates with tella, sure he will be fine

[123EasyasBFC]

Wonder if we are in for another cb as well as the lad from Belgium, we was linked with him and the Swedish lad before the injury to THB

[boatshed bill]

Wonder if we are in for another cb as well as the lad from Belgium, we was linked with him and the Swedish lad before the injury to THB

I've read that we will not be pursuing Ekdal due in part to work permit issues

[MACCA]

If I was to guess, I'd say tomorrow will be a good day regards an arrival.

I also think another wont be too far behind, but obviously looks like next week now.

[123EasyasBFC]

I've read that we will not be pursuing Ekdal due in part to work permit issues

Saw that Nixon said that but then other reports in Sweden say still negotiating

[Somethingfishy]

Al-Dakhil and Obafemi I reckon by the middle of next week.

[AGENT_CLARET]

I've read that we will not be pursuing Ekdal due in part to work permit issues

I don't understand the work permit thing, he's played enough games over the past few season's so it's probably fake news

[agreenwood]

I don't understand the work permit thing, he's played enough games over the past few season's so it's probably fake news

It goes off the standard he’s been playing at recently. I don’t think he’s played much for Sweden, his club haven’t been playing in Europe and I think Sweden is one of the lowest ranked leagues in the points based system. Suspect he’ll not pass the threshold.

[daveisaclaret]

Just looked at the work permit stuff (which I thought I understood in the summer) and from a quick glance I don't see how he could even come close to qualifying. He would auto qualify if he played 60% of Sweden games in the last 12 months but given he's played 3 it seems unlikely. Otherwise it doesn't seem possible for a Swedish Djurgardens player to actually get a work permit to me.

I'm sort of inclined to think I'm wrong though because it does seem unlikely we would bother to pursue him if that were the case.

[123EasyasBFC]

Just looked at the work permit stuff (which I thought I understood in the summer) and from a quick glance I don't see how he could even come close to qualifying. He would auto qualify if he played 60% of Sweden games in the last 12 months but given he's played 3 it seems unlikely. Otherwise it doesn't seem possible for a Swedish Djurgardens player to actually get a work permit to me.

I'm sort of inclined to think I'm wrong though because it does seem unlikely we would bother to pursue him if that were the case.

They are in Europa conference league, surely that makes a difference. Zaroury had played a handful of games at a mid table club in Belgium

[FeedTheArf]

Honestly thought we'd be lower mid-table at the start of the season when we'd signed a load of farmers on the cheap and all the 'stars' had left. It's got to the point now, I don't even question us spending £4m on some Iraqi kid nobody has ever heard of.

I’ve embraced the madness and just enjoying the ride!

[boatshed bill]

Just looked at the work permit stuff (which I thought I understood in the summer) and from a quick glance I don't see how he could even come close to qualifying. He would auto qualify if he played 60% of Sweden games in the last 12 months but given he's played 3 it seems unlikely. Otherwise it doesn't seem possible for a Swedish Djurgardens player to actually get a work permit to me.

I'm sort of inclined to think I'm wrong though because it does seem unlikely we would bother to pursue him if that were the case.

i suppose our alleged interest may have merely been triggered by his agent Who knows?

[daveisaclaret]

They are in Europa conference league, surely that makes a difference. Zaroury had played a handful of games at a mid table club in Belgium

As far as I can tell Belgium is a band 2 league, Sweden is a band 6 league. Hard not to qualify if you play in Belgium frankly.

On double checking I think he would have a chance if he played 40% of minutes for Sweden but again it seems unlikely that 3 games does that.

[agreenwood]

Just looked at the work permit stuff (which I thought I understood in the summer) and from a quick glance I don't see how he could even come close to qualifying. He would auto qualify if he played 60% of Sweden games in the last 12 months but given he's played 3 it seems unlikely. Otherwise it doesn't seem possible for a Swedish Djurgardens player to actually get a work permit to me.

I'm sort of inclined to think I'm wrong though because it does seem unlikely we would bother to pursue him if that were the case.

Only likely if one of their players was an international without them being in Europe.

You can qualify from just playing regularly in a domestic league, but it has to be a league high in the bandings. As an example Al Dakhil would score 10 of the 15 points required just for playing regularly in the Belgian top flight because it’s a “Band 2” league. Sweden is only a “Band 5” league, which only scores you 4 points for regular appearances.

I think that’s what I’ve just read anyway.

[daveisaclaret]

Only likely if one of their players was an international without them being in Europe.

You can qualify from just playing regularly in a domestic league, but it has to be a league high in the bandings. As an example Al Dakhil would score 10 of the 15 points required just for playing regularly in the Belgian top flight because it’s a “Band 2” league. Sweden is only a “Band 5” league, which only scores you 4 points for regular appearances.

I think that’s what I’ve just read anyway.

I thought Sweden was a band 6 league. In a band 5 league If he played 90% of minutes for them in the Swedish League and Europa Conference League last season he would only need 20% of Sweden's international minutes over the last 12 months.

In a bit over my head really but I am trying my best

[agreenwood]

I thought Sweden was a band 6 league. In a band 5 league If he played 90% of minutes for them in the Swedish League and Europa Conference League last season he would only need 20% of Sweden's international minutes over the last 12 months.

In a bit over my head really but I am trying my best

The article I was looking at was from 2021. Entirely possible they’ve been moved down a band since.

Either way, he’s not well positioned to get a UK work permit until he becomes a regular for Sweden or moved to a higher ranking league first.

[JohnDearyMe]

The article I was looking at was from 2021. Entirely possible they’ve been moved down a band since.

Either way, he’s not well positioned to get a UK work permit until he becomes a regular for Sweden or moved to a higher ranking league first.

How much of the system is based upon the country you play in as opposed to your nationality?

For instance, would we have had difficulty in signing Zaroury in the summer if he was then Moroccan international as opposed to a Belgian one?

[agreenwood]

How much of the system is based upon the country you play in as opposed to your nationality?

For instance, would we have had difficulty in signing Zaroury in the summer if he was then Moroccan international as opposed to a Belgian one?

It’s a combination of factors that either gets you an “auto pass” or the required 15 points.

If you play 30% or more of games for a country that FIFA rank in the top 10, you get an auto pass. Then as the country ranking gets lower, the greater percentage of games required to get an auto pass or score points, until you get down to the 51st team or below where no amount of international appearances will get you many points.

After that they look at if you’ve played in continental competitions. You can’t get an auto pass for this, but you can score close to the 15 points required. If you still don’t have enough points they look at where you’ve been playing domestically. You can score 12 points if you turned out regular in a top (band 1) league, with a sliding scale after that.

If you can’t get to 15 points you can appeal and then convince a panel they should make an exception for you.

[randomclaret2]

As far as I can tell Belgium is a band 2 league, Sweden is a band 6 league. Hard not to qualify if you play in Belgium frankly.

On double checking I think he would have a chance if he played 40% of minutes for Sweden but again it seems unlikely that 3 games does that.

He was an unused sub for Sweden against Iceland today

[DCWat]

Probably a silly question but does the level of the purchasing club play any part in relation to the qualifying criteria? If it doesn’t, the rules are restricting lower league clubs from bringing in players more so than the bigger clubs looking at higher profile players.

Relatively speaking, a foreigner from a lower level league / country could have just as successful a spell in English football as one from a supposedly elite league / country.

Seems all rather unfair on those shopping in the lower end of the market, if this is the case.

[HistoricalClaret]

Its Worth noting that the reason the club were interested is because of the work permit appeal process which allows individuals who are talented enough to succeed in this country but haven't had a look in prior still receive the opportunity

[agreenwood]

Probably a silly question but does the level of the purchasing club play any part in relation to the qualifying criteria? If it doesn’t, the rules are restricting lower league clubs from bringing in players more so than the bigger clubs looking at higher profile players.

Relatively speaking, a foreigner from a lower level league / country could have just as successful a spell in English football as one from a supposedly elite league / country.

Seems all rather unfair on those shopping in the lower end of the market, if this is the case.

No. Makes no odds.

The flip side to you argument is that if the criteria gave added weight to lower division clubs, you’d have more overseas footballers at lower levels which has been where home grown footballers have been more likely to develop in the last 25 years.

[daveisaclaret]

Probably a silly question but does the level of the purchasing club play any part in relation to the qualifying criteria? If it doesn’t, the rules are restricting lower league clubs from bringing in players more so than the bigger clubs looking at higher profile players.

Relatively speaking, a foreigner from a lower level league / country could have just as successful a spell in English football as one from a supposedly elite league / country.

Seems all rather unfair on those shopping in the lower end of the market, if this is the case.

Purchasing club's level plays no part in it.

The point of work permits more broadly is not to outsource labour to people coming from abroad if it can be done by people from the UK so it makes sense that the rules for football are designed to only let really good footballers in.

[Spike]

Obafemi is someone who I fear could rock the boat in dressing room.
From what I have read, he is far more interested in himself than the team...a bit Weghorst like.
I may be wrong but is he really our best option up front?

Bellamy will sort him out

[CrosspoolClarets]

Like the look of this Belgium / Iraqi lad. 6 ft 2 and quick are rare combos for a CB, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders and a good passing range too. Could be a defensive Zaroury in many senses. If it is true that he flew in yesterday that sounds almost done, and search his name on the tweets and hardly anything comes up, conversely, a young English defender with half the talent would be quoting triple the price and ten times the number of social media mentions.

We’ve been saying it for years, but overseas is the way to go, under the radar.

[Jakubs Tash]

Tweet from Ryan Taylor (sports journalist with 23k followers) just after 8am this morning:


“Ameen Al-Dakhil to sign long-term contract with Burnley after Clarets struck deal with Sint-Truiden following several failed approaches in summer transfer window. Third bid for Michael Obafemi also under consideration after second offer of £2.5m rejected by Swansea. #BurnleyFC”


Interesting that there’s a third bid in for Obafemi. Can only be a matter of time for that one I would have thought.

[warksclaret]

Bellamy will sort him out

I suspect Bellamy has a very good understanding of footballers playing in Wales, and will see something in Obefami that will work in our current Squad. In Summer we showed interest in the young lad Davies of Cardiff who I know Bellamy rates

[RVclaret]

Tweet from Ryan Taylor (sports journalist with 23k followers) just after 8am this morning:


“Ameen Al-Dakhil to sign long-term contract with Burnley after Clarets struck deal with Sint-Truiden following several failed approaches in summer transfer window. Third bid for Michael Obafemi also under consideration after second offer of £2.5m rejected by Swansea. #BurnleyFC”


Interesting that there’s a third bid in for Obafemi. Can only be a matter of time for that one I would have thought.

Yes get him in early next week and on the bench v West Brom.

[jojomk1]

Obafemi is someone who I fear could rock the boat in dressing room.
From what I have read, he is far more interested in himself than the team...a bit Weghorst like.
I may be wrong but is he really our best option up front?

Would rather have Barnes

[Andingle]

Tweet from Ryan Taylor (sports journalist with 23k followers) just after 8am this morning:


“Ameen Al-Dakhil to sign long-term contract with Burnley after Clarets struck deal with Sint-Truiden following several failed approaches in summer transfer window. Third bid for Michael Obafemi also under consideration after second offer of £2.5m rejected by Swansea. #BurnleyFC”


Interesting that there’s a third bid in for Obafemi. Can only be a matter of time for that one I would have thought.

Ryan Taylor just clarified that he means we are considering putting in a third , not Swansea are considering our third bid for Obafemi

[Quicknick]

Would rather have Barnes

I want both.

[Browntuba]

Another link today for Ait Bennasser, believe we were linked late December early January. Not sure of truth or validity of source.

https://twitter.com/dmsportma/status/16 ... P-F4POw8Nw

[1882Clarets1882]

There's something about the negativity that surrounds Obafemis reputation that concerns me compared to any of VKs previous signings. If he does come I hope I'm proven wrong to have been worried and it turns out to be a master stroke.

[Elizabeth]

There's something about the negativity that surrounds Obafemis reputation that concerns me compared to any of VKs previous signings. If he does come I hope I'm proven wrong to have been worried and it turns out to be a master stroke.

I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the negativity.
My view is the player is ambitious and wants back match fit and playing with an ambitious club on the rise. It seems clear VK and the club want him .

[Quicknick]

There's something about the negativity that surrounds Obafemis reputation that concerns me compared to any of VKs previous signings. If he does come I hope I'm proven wrong to have been worried and it turns out to be a master stroke.

Remember Tarkowski's tactics with Brentford.

[arise_sir_charge]

The only suggestion that there is anything wrong with his attitude has been his reaction to not being allowed to sign for us in the summer. He clearly wanted to come.

Nothing else I’ve seen to suggest he is in any way a bad egg.

[claretcarrot93]

Just waiting on the announcement video for Ameen Al-Dakhil.

Its done now.

[AGENT_CLARET]

The only suggestion that there is anything wrong with his attitude has been his reaction to not being allowed to sign for us in the summer. He clearly wanted to come.

Nothing else I’ve seen to suggest he is in any way a bad egg.

He's done it at Southampton He's also refused to be called up to the Republic of Ireland u21s team in the past, he seems to sulk if he doesn't get his own way, plenty written about him just Google him

[Lancasterclaret]

Just waiting on the announcement video for Ameen Al-Dakhil.

Its done now.

I'm sorry, but its not done till the announcement video is done

That is what we are all waiting for!