Darragh MacAnthony URGES Liverpool to AVOID Bradley Barcola due to EXTORTIONATE Price Tag!

And your partner in crime from last week, he's here now, mate.He hasn't got his cowboy hats on.He is...Listen, there's a rumour.There's a rumour that he did quite well at Goodwood yesterday.

I already won nine grand.I was like, how do you have the money to do that?Let's get on him.

That's why I'm here, is that.Mr Alex Crook, come on, you're going to have to explain yourself, pal.What happened yesterday?

Yeah, nine grand might be a little bit of an exaggeration from Andy Goldstein, but I did have six winners from eight races, which...

Is he going to a wedding?He's dressed up, mate.He's ready to go.Ready to go again.Six from eight.That's beautiful, mate.

Good work.You didn't share any of them tips, pal.You just kept them to yourself, didn't you?

They were on Twitter, actually, before the first race.

I'll have to pay attention, mate.I'll have to pay attention.Right, come on.Before you go off, then, and make a boatload of cash down at the races today, let's talk a little bit more about transfers, because we've been speaking a lot about Real Madrid, this Vinicius Junior situation with Arsenal.What is the latest with it?

Well, the latest seems to be that the direction of travel is that he'll stay at the Bernabeu.Maybe no real surprise.There was always a suspicion, I think, that maybe he was using the Arsenal interest, which I think was genuine, to drive up his pay scale at Real Madrid.We know he's been negotiating a new contract.It looks like he'll probably sign that new deal now.Jose Mourinho always wanted him to stay.

And they're building quite the team, aren't they?When you think Yandier Mbambe heading there as well.On one side, you've got Vinicius Junior.On the other, obviously, Kylian Mbappe.leading the line up front and they brought in some defensive reinforcements too.So, it should be a much better season for Real than they've had in the last couple of years.

You guys cracked me up.Vinicius Junior going to Arsenal.You're having a laugh.I never believed it for a moment.Honestly, I saw him, everyone else in the media with their usual nonsense.Oh, this is like breaking news.

All in a race.Never gonna happen.You're leaving Real Madrid to go to the Premier League.And that's not a disrespect to Arsenal.I just can't...When was the last time Real Madrid lost a young, world -class quality player like that to the Premier League?

No chance.

Regarding that, because that news has come from somewhere, hasn't it?So it's come from, what, an agent flipping out, as Alex is saying there, just to drive your contract up, just create a little bit of buzz to get a few more quid.

Do you know what?If it set me free,years ago, I'd come from somewhere legit, I'd agree with you.Nowadays, with the amount of idiots and morons who just open up social media accounts or transfer rumours, and there's a lot of them now, actually, as professionals in this game, and they still talk a lot of crap.I'm not talking about you, Crookey.

Yeah, Crookey, you're alright, mate.Don't you worry, mate.You're his mate.You're fine.

He can be as bad as the rest, you know what I mean?The insider scoops.

You can't have a go at him.

He's down the line.He's not here to defend himself properly.I'll deal with him when I see him, you know, whatever.I was never buying any of that.I just don't buy it.

What's the latest, Crookey, with the Barcula deal with PSG and Liverpool?

Yeah, well, this is probably one that Darrell would be more interested in because it concerns his beloved Liverpool.Don't sign him.

Don't sign him.

You don't want him?

No, not for that kind of money, no.We need a central offender.We need another midfielder.Yes, we need a winger.They spent a hundred odd million on him.They're not going to do any more and we need a right back.

I just think, I look at his figures and I look at where he is and whatever else.No, I'm not having it.Not having it.No.No, no, no, no, no.

Wow.See, I think he'd be a great addition to the Premier League.But in terms of the figures, obviously PSG were touting over the weekend they wanted £145 million.I think the opening bid from Liverpool is going to be a lot less than that, maybe nearer the £80 to £100 million.power mark with add -ons.Will that be enough to persuade them to do business?

Who knows?But Barclay isn't signing a new contract as it stands.So PSG not necessarily in a strong position.

Why do you think he'll be a serious asset in the Premier League?Tell me what he can do in the Premier League.I've looked at all his data.I've seen his Champions League data.I've seen in France, someone even put up a comparison with Cody Giapco.and I'm not his biggest fan, Gakko was pretty much ahead of him in a lot of the World Cup goals, Champions League goals, and I'm not, no comparison, but you've just made a statement there that you want to see him in the Premier League and whatever, why?

I think he's a top player.I think he's been a top player for France, he's part of a PSG team that won the Champions League two seasons in a row, and I think we need that bit of stardust in the Premier League.We've lost, obviously, Mo Salah.You'd have been sad to see him go.Doesn't look like Vinicius Jr. is going to end up on these shores, Yan Diamonde,wanted by Liverpool at one stage, but he's going to Real Madrid.

So I just think it'd be good for the league to sign a player who's won back -to -back Champions League.That's done.Two -year contract.He's going to undergo a medical and then link up with Chelsea on pre -season.Both clubs are keeping the fee under wraps, which is interesting.I wonder if we might see a Chelsea player maybe heading in the opposite direction, but a great move for Danny Welbeck.

Last big payday of his career.It'll bring great experience, that Chelsea dressing room.And I wonder how big a role his partnership with João Pedro down on the Sussex Coast has had to do with this, because they had a really good understanding on and off the pitch.João Pedro obviously disappointed.not to be part of the Brazil squad at the World Cup.And I think maybe the thinking is that with Danny Welbeck back alongside him, he can have a really good season.

What do you make of that one?I like the fact that Chelsea owners are learning, learning on the job.I've defended them before, they're still quite new, four years in or whatever.And the fact they're bringing him and Henderson potentially to Chelsea with that dressing room of talent that they've got, I think that's not good for the rest of the Premier League.I think those two characters in there could galvanise that dressing room.And with Alonso indoors, yeah, they're dark horses, Chelsea.

Is that a sign of them listening to their manager?Absolutely.I think they're listening to their manager, their fans, their technical directors are probably saying that, yes, we have an overall recruitment policy, this is what we do, player transfers and whatever else and big recruitment, but a couple of those experienced players, we know Jordan Henderson's almost like another coach.in that dressing room.That's what they're bringing him in.Certainly not to get into that midfield, in my opinion, when you see the talent they have.

Welbeck is a brilliant option.He's, at his age, he's been doing brilliant in the Premier League.And like Kroki said there, he's obviously got a relationship with a boy already up front they took from Brighton.So, I think those two signings for Chelsea could really galvanise everything they're trying to do.And with Alonso, you know, at the wheel, it's going to be interesting.I think good business.

Kroki, what's the latest with Cristiano Romero, mate?Because he seems to be the most

Yeah, Barcelona interest has been there throughout the summer.It looked like probably Inter Milan was more likely, but obviously they've signed John Stone, so maybe their need is not as great now.I mean, that'd be a good move for Romero.I'm not his biggest fan.I think he's a bit of a liability.And I think Tottenham are quite willing to let him go now, having signed Jan -Paul van Gecke, Marcus Sanessi, Miki van der Been will stay, despite a little bit of interest in him.

So, yeah, I think Romero to Barcelona could well be back on.

And is the John Stone's Inter Milan thing done?

Looks like it, yeah.Again, a two -year contract.We spoke about him yesterday.I think for John Stones at this stage of his career, when obviously he's had his fair share of injuries over the last couple of seasons, I think a move to Serie A, slightly less physically demanding league, is probably a good move.And obviously, he's going to have an eye on two years' time being part of the England squad at the home Euros.

Nice for his family as well.Beautiful.Beautiful.Because when I read the figures, was it four million a year he's getting?I'm thinking, how on earth have some of the top teams let that happen in the Premier League?But he obviously wanted a geography change internationally.

Yeah.And he doesn't want to cheat on his old boys of Manchester City, mate.

Move on.

Go abroad.Is that not how it works?No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

He's obviously decided...

Listen, it's quite a bit of a graveyard for the Premier League older players, isn't it, Italy?It's becoming.

Yeah, yeah.

Well, it's a slower pace of football, isn't it?

Yeah, yeah.I mean, absolutely.

He's still a top quality player.I'd have loved him at Liverpool.Loved him at Liverpool.

He had a good World Cup in those knockout rounds when Thomas Tuchel called upon him and obviously the suggestion from him was that he was actually fit for most of last season and just not picked by Manchester City.

Yeah.Did you see the debate the other day that's...Over Van Dijk, Stones.Stones over Van Dijk, where are you at with that?

Not having that, no.Not only that, when you look at a player and you compare them, you always have to look at durability.With all due respect to John Stones, you could accuse him at times if he made a glass.Virgil van Dijk did his ACL and hasn't missed a game or a beat since.How many players have done that?All right, you've won that argument.

Thank you.

Final one on Savino because this is really said again over the last 24 hours, mate, about maybe a move to Spurs for him, the Man City winger.

Again, I don't think the interest from last summer and in January has ever really gone away.It was Pep Guardiola who put the stoppers to that move this time a year ago, and he had no kind of season really at all at Manchester City.The player is keen to make the move.I think Roberto Deserbi is keen to sign him.£60 million there or thereabouts is the fee being touted.And this would be another addition to the Tottenham squad that Deserbi is assembling.

And Darragh has mentioned Chelsea as potential dark horses.I'm not saying Tottenham are going to win the title, but there's certainly going to be much more.competitive than they have been the last couple of years, mainly because I think De Zerby is an absolute genius.

Yeah, I agree with him.I think De Zerby is underrated.I think he needs to hang around the club for longer than two seasons because that's probably held him back from being a top, top elite manager.I'm excited for Spurs fans.I really am because they've had a disaster obviously the last couple of years.I love their recruitment so far.

I think you know, him as a manager at that stadium, some of the players they've signed, happy days for them this year.

Do they need a striker?

Of course, because you look at obviously the injuries up front, so everyone always needs another number nine, you know, you look at it that way, but you'd also say if the ones they have are fit to go, they're in good shape.

Got a question here for you, mate.This is from Warren in Somerset, it's about Liverpool.Would Liverpool not benefit from Henderson on a free transfer in midfield?

No, because I think the way Ariola wants to play and the way his team's pressed and everything else, it would need a lot more than Henderson's legs at this age.In the dressing room, maybe to help, of course.I would look at Henderson and go, is he a future manager?As an owner of an EFL club, you see the way people talk about Jordan Henderson, you see his reputation with players, with staff.He would be on the wish list to interview as somebody, once his career's over, to manage a football club.Now, I'd imagine he's going to end up managing in the Premier League or the top of the Championship, but

obviously got those leadership instincts, and that's why Chelsea want him in their dressing room.Liverpool still have Alisson and Van Dijk, so I'm not as desperate for a Jordan Henderson right now.

Talk to me about recruitment policy, obviously, being a man that owns a football club and what have you.Krooky, by the way, thank you very much, mate.I'm just going to get stuck in.Enjoy the funeral, Krooky.Make sure you put them tips on social media, pal, because we're going to keep up to date with you.All right?

Top man.Thank you very much, Krooky.Much appreciated.Who dictates the, obviously you dictate the budget, but who dictates what you're actually looking for?Is it a collaborative conversation between you, management, the technical director, all that type of stuff?

Yeah, absolutely.So it works with me, Barry Fry, the manager, the assistant manager, and then we have our analysts that work for us.And then we collectively, my manager is, he's brilliant.He's one of my favorite guys.He's actually not that fussed about being all that involved with the recruitment side of it.When I say that is, he has an opinion, he knows a player, And we wouldn't sign anyone without going to him and saying, what do you think of this?

But we collectively all work together.All he wants to do is go out and coach and work his nuts off basically 24 hours a day.That's what he does.But it's always a collaborative effort.Nobody comes to our football club without any manager of our club basically agreeing to it.We have a very certain way we recruit.

Everyone knows what we're kind of well known for, but it's not like we just bring players in and hand deliver them.I'll give an example.In June, there was a player we were looking at and we signed him.And there was a question mark amongst all of us that we like the player qualities, all the technicals, all the things we look for in a player.We were looking at coming from the Premier League.We've always had a bit of a thing with that with some of the lads that come out of the Premier League, is he going to adapt?

And sometimes they aren't too much money in the Premier League.And we basically rang around.I was in Dubai.We were on like a conference call, five of us.And in the end, we're like, let's do it.And it was actually a brilliant signing.

But again, we weren't questioning Mark and the player's ability or talent.It was just the whole mentality dropping down.Temperament coming into the...Correct.And I couldn't have been more...The player is absolutely amazing that we signed.

Love him.What do you make of clubs then that have maybe a positive impact?

Policy to that where it is run from upstairs and the coaches I understand it because you know nowadays my manager will tell you his career average timeline is short It's 11 months.I think the average manager last 11 months So for most clubs they look at it and go if we keep signing players for a particular manager or that a manager keeps signing players We're going to be in trouble here in a minute, because if he's sacked, the next guy comes in, we'll end up with 30 players belonging to three different managers and no sense of style, no sense of purpose.So a lot of clubs nowadays have a certain way to recruit.I always tell every manager that comes into our club, we're Peterborough, we're not Man United.We have a certain way we do business.We sign 18 to 23 year old young talents.

We'll sign a couple of experienced players.We work with our academy, which is Cat 2, to bring good young talents through.And that's really important for us, as is the style of football.If you don't like that, don't come.But that's who we are.We don't lie about who we are as a football club.

You know, we get 8, 9 ,000 people every week.We can't compete with Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday on a Saturday, financially.But what we can try and compete with is clever recruitment.

That's the key thing, innit?Transparency, communication.

Always.Tell the truth.

From the offset.

My fans have gone mad since five days ago when I sold one of our best players.Absolutely gone mad.I didn't even know.My missus was ringing me, going, social media's great.She's going mad at you.No, no, no.

She was going all this...There's some ginger fellow who's one of the fans who's gone absolutely nuts.and he's just, he's gone way OTT.And my wife is an American, she's like, my God, this guy keeps coming up with my timelines.Do I know that fella?No, no, no, you don't.

No, it's not AD.To be fair to Durham, Durham's really, no, no, no, no.I was like, where is he going?Durham's really supportive.He's actually, to be fair, he's okay, he's no problem.I mean, AD understands what we're trying to do.

You know, we're not a small club, but we're a club always fighting above our, punching above our weight.Anyway, so I signed a boy a year ago for 70 grand, took him out of non -league, 70 grand.and he was a punt we would call it a punt at the time get my gaffer at the time wasn't sure but we all like it's a punt let's spend the 70 grand my current manager developed themall right, and he's done brilliant, he's had a great season, and we just sold them in a deal that was about six million inside 11 months.Now a club our size can't turn down that business, but more importantly, for a boy and his family who came in to us on seven, 800 quid a week, and obviously we gave them a pay rise since then, is now basically gonna be earning, you know, X amount, thousands per week, you're going to have a problem if you stop those players going on to the next level.And that's where it becomes really difficult for a club our size.

We want to win promotions, we want to do well, but we don't want to stand in people's way if it's good for them.Yeah, good for us.

It's also good marketing for you for players coming in future wise.You can say, listen, we do this, this and this, and this is where this guy goes to if you work hard.

In one way, yes.In another way, no.It's brilliant where people want to bring their best young players to us and we can sign them, but we want them to stay a little bit longer and win promotions.Of course, of course.And then in the bad way, they all think we have the Brewster's billions because it's out there, because guys like, you know, TalkSport and SkySport start reporting figures and fees and all the things that are out there and think, oh, Peterborough's got loads of money now, you know, and we don't.But again, like I said to you, you can't keep everyone happy, but I always say to my fans, I don't tell them lies.

We know every year we have a five million hole to fill.That's what we lose every year with what we do, and we always fill it by saving a pair.

Lose, or that's what it costs to actually run it?

That's what we lose.That's our cash flow hole every year, five million, because of the size of our club, and we obviously spend a lot of money on transfer fees.We have a tattoo academy.So we start every year with a five mil hole to fill.And I fill some of it, and we sell players to fill the rest of it.And that's how we operate, like a lot of football clubs.

And there's no shame in that, and I'll tell our fans, we will be spending.Calm down.

Calmate!