I see Everton are now being linked with a £30 million bid for Lascelles. The report on F365 mentions the uncertainty around Rafa not having signed a contract yet. Now, I don't think he'll go-at least not for £30 mil (hopefully) and not to Everton (definitely not) but it does raise a valid issue, i.e. players we're after might want to wait to see how things pan out with Rafa's contract before they commit. As I say, I'm not too concerned at the moment about players leaving, more how the situation will affect incoming transfers but the longer the uncertainty continues, you never know what sort of destabilising effect it might have on the current squad.

All further reason for Ashley to convince Rafa they're on the same page (albeit Rafa is at the first word at the top and Ashley is at the very bottom on the last word...)

*and the thread title is the only addition I'll be making to the religion thread