The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or NeRObutBlanco.

TIMO TURNER

The English papers are raving mad again, and this time they’re saying that Ancelotti wants Timo Werner. Deep sigh. I truly hope we miss this opportunity. S e e w h a t i d i d t h e r e.

VARANE TO THE EXIT

More reports are coming out that Varane has decided to leave us and wants to join PSG. With Man Utd, Chelsea, PSG and some other clubs interested in him. And with a rumored platry market price of 60 Mil for a 160 MIL defender. PSG could have the best defensive pairing of Marquinhos & Varane.

BUFFON RETURNS TO PARMA

Per Fabrizio, Gianluigi Buffon, the eternal keeper has decided to go back to where it all started for him. Parma, currently in Italian second division (Seria B). After 20 years of making history at the Old Lady and at one point, being the most expensive keeper in the world on his transfer to Juventus. At 43, it’s a fitting move, ALTHOUGH he said he’s not retiring. Most players retire around their mid to late 30’s but Buffon seems to still have it in him to keep going. He also wants to make it to the 2022 world cup as Italy’s 3rd keeper.

DONNARUMMA Y NAVAS

After PSG have secured the signature of free agent, Gianluigi Donnarumma. Keylor Navas seems to feel a ways about it, after posting a now deleted cryptic message on his IG with the quotes “Offer your absence to those who don’t value your presence”. PSG now have 2 of the best keepers in the world. At 35, Navas has had a solid individual season for PSG with many class saves to boot. And Donnarumma is coming off a wonderous season that ensured AC Milan’s return to the champions league since 2013-14. I feel for Navas, as he’s still a world class keeper with hardly an iota of decline. but this is the 2nd time in his career that he’s watching his parent club buy his younger replacement whilst he’s still going strong, to eventually kick him out. This article from Football Italia sums up the ordeal and how Riola is the real winner in getting donnarumma to PSG, as he stands to make a market breaking 20 Million premium commission for the deal. Although riola may have met his match as PSG play for keeps, so the next time his client is due for a contract extension. He may not be able to waterboard them like he did Milan. Same way he can’t seem to get a new deal for pogba at Man Utd. Imagine if Riola was Mbappe’s agent, good God!!