Maicon.

[Blue Blood]

Widely believed we have now concluded a deal for Maicon with multiple sources claiming it to be done.

http://www.gianlucadimarzio.com/calciom ... are-fatto/

http://www.football-italia.net/24482/ma ... %93-report

https://twitter.com/SkyGraemeBailey

https://twitter.com/mirkocorli

With such well connected sources suggesting so I think we can think this is very real.

How do we all feel about him? He's (just about) 31 years old but if rumours are true and we have bagged him for less than 5 million I reckon we have got a damn fine deal. One of the best in the world at RB and with Micah a long term injury worry this makes great sense.

Below are his past three seasons stats;

Year Games Goals Assists
2009–10 51 7 12
2010–11 38 1 8
2011–12 28 3 4

Looks a decent signing to me! The big question for me, will he be regarded as our starting RB??

Edit: Being reported as 4 million euros fee, a staggeringly good deal if true. £3 million quid.. wow.

[AG7]

And it says for only £2.5m (Euro 4m) ... that is good business. He is 31 but still can give another 2-3 years decent ... plus will fit in nicely if the 3-5-2 is the new system.

Lots happening all of a sudden this morning, Sinclair done, Maicon done ... and now De Jong going the other way's 'traffic' has increased on the web as well (not just Twitter) ... does that mean someone else we can expect later on today or tomorrow?

[jono1978]

Can't we chuck in kolo as part of the fee. Just a thought.

[Blue Blood]

And it says for only £2.5m (Euro 4m) ... that is good business. He is 31 but still can give another 2-3 years decent ... plus will fit in nicely if the 3-5-2 is the new system.

Lots happening all of a sudden this morning, Sinclair done, Maicon done ... and now De Jong going the other way's 'traffic' has increased on the web as well (not just Twitter) ... does that mean someone else we can expect later on today or tomorrow?

That low fee makes this a total bargain. Maicon may be past his peak but he still is a fine player and brings with him, vast, vast, experience of the Champions League.

At just 31, like you say, he has 2 to 3 years of top level football in him. The best guys always do.

It is widely regarded that the Inter coach was desperate to keep him however the Inter board want to lower the wage budget (as all Italian teams are broke) so have shifted him at a low fee in order to clean the books so to speak.

[sweenyuk]

We have a long tradition of having an old head in the squad that can coach the younger players whilst the game is in play, Reid, Pearce, Didi, Patrick etc and this is where I see Maicon fitting in

[PeterParker]

Call it what you want, but selling Nige will be a huge mistake, considering that Gaz Baz had a nasty injury that we won't know how it will affect him later on in the season, while Yaya will leave all january for the African Cup of Nations.

Maicon took a piss on a rumor a while back, where he was linked with City, until we became champions. Now, all of the sudden he wants to come here. Good player, don't want him.
He is coming here to play in a suicidal system that Bobby is keen on using.

Not glad at all.

[Esky]

Call it what you want, but selling Nige will be a huge mistake, considering that Gaz Baz had a nasty injury that we won't know how it will affect him later on in the season, while Yaya will leave all january for the African Cup of Nations.

Maicon took a piss on a rumor a while back, where he was linked with City, until we became champions. Now, all of the sudden he wants to come here. Good player, don't want him.
He is coming here to play in a suicidal system that Bobby is keen on using.

Not glad at all.

Agree with most of this. Don't want NDJ out at all and don't want 3-5-2.

Still, 2.5m for Maicon is great business.

[Blue Blood]

Call it what you want, but selling Nige will be a huge mistake, considering that Gaz Baz had a nasty injury that we won't know how it will affect him later on in the season, while Yaya will leave all january for the African Cup of Nations.

Maicon took a piss on a rumor a while back, where he was linked with City, until we became champions. Now, all of the sudden he wants to come here. Good player, don't want him.
He is coming here to play in a suicidal system that Bobby is keen on using.

Not glad at all.

Well we are champions now and at 2.5 million I'd take him in a heartbeat!

Selling De Jong wouldn't be a mistake, letting him leave for nothing would be however! I remain very confident that we have a midfield target lined up. Sensibly though we are looking at the defence first, probably our most fragile area.

In Marwood we trust.

[PeterParker]

The thing is that we look like Arsenal, after they lost 8-2 in the Swamp. Trying to buy without a plan any player that is out there, looking desperate.

Maicon is a fine defender, with incredible executions, thing that we miss.

[Ted Hughes]

The thing is that we look like Arsenal, after they lost 8-2 in the Swamp. Trying to buy without a plan any player that is out there, looking desperate.

Maicon is a fine defender, with incredible executions, thing that we miss.

This Nastic lad was playing under Mancini's mate last season until he was sacked & came from the same club we got Savic from, Maicon played under Mancini at Inter.

Hardly unplanned, more like long term scouting/watching.

[Hazy2]

We must have the nod from De Rossi if NDJ is leaving.

[Blue Blood]

The thing is that we look like Arsenal, after they lost 8-2 in the Swamp. Trying to buy without a plan any player that is out there, looking desperate.

Maicon is a fine defender, with incredible executions, thing that we miss.

This Nastic lad was playing under Mancini's mate last season until he was sacked & came from the same club we got Savic from, Maicon played under Mancini at Inter.

Hardly unplanned, more like long term scouting/watching.

Also worth noting old bacon had a go for Nastic last Jan. As much as he is a twat, he knows young talent when he sees it.

[Blue Blood]

We must have the nod from De Rossi if NDJ is leaving.

If we bagged, Rodwell, Nastic, Maicon, Sinclair and DDR. I would call that an amazing summer, especially given the deadwood we have shifted.

[Ted Hughes]

We must have the nod from De Rossi if NDJ is leaving.

?

[Scatman]

We must have the nod from De Rossi if NDJ is leaving.

wishful thinking

[Risby]

wishful thinking

Either that or someone else in that position.

[Blue Blood]

Very interesting response from Inter fans over Maicon possible exit.

All seem very very sad at his departure, all feel he could have stayed another 2 years.

Bodes well for us!

[Green & Blue]

Maicon is a great player i have always liked him as a player.He can defend well but he really is such a big threat when going forward.Getting on a bit but would be a very good signing all the same.Micah himself had been making some great bursts forward last season, i think he could learn a lot from having a player like Maicon in the squad.

[Blue Blood]

Maicon is a great player i have always liked him as a player.He can defend well but he really is such a big threat when going forward.Getting on a bit but would be a very good signing all the same.Micah himself had been making some great bursts forward last season, i think he could learn a lot from having a player like Maicon in the squad.

Completely agree, Micah would really benefit from Maicon being here, he could push Micah to the next level.

Only question on Micah for me is long term fitness, Maicon will help take the burden of him this season which can only be a good thing.

Between Maicon, Micah and Zaba we would have outrageous RB options.

[Blue Since 76]

Explains the new Euro away shirt - he'll feel right at home.

Not totally sure about a player who relies on pace and fitness and is 31.

As for NDJ, I can only presume we'd sell if we're sure another midfielder will arrive or if we received an outrageous offer. As Italian press are suggesting he's off to Milan for £3m, it must be the former.