toffee82
Player Valuation: £30m
The journos are getting even more creative.Thinking about: Being discussed internally by the club.
Considering: Same as above.
Mulling over: They've already thought about it, now they're giving it a bit of time to confirm they really want to take it further.
Test the water: Ready to put in a bid miles below player's value.
Ready to open talks: The considering and mulling over stages are complete - the club is set to email an offer, either test-the-water kind of offer, or an offer intended to wrap up a quick deal (less likely).
Intensifying efforts: Open to interpretation, but potentially the selling club has told us to do one after we've tested the water, and we're back to considering/mulling over putting in a higher offer.
In discussions: Again, subjective. Could be internal discussions, could be actually negotiating with the selling club looking to strike a deal.
Preparing to bid: Probably similar to ready to open talks - there is at least agreement from club officials that this is a player we'd like to bring to the club if possible.
Set to make a bid: The email is drafted and the send button will be hit imminently.
Hopeful of securing a deal: Offer has been put in and not outright rejected. Player's agent has privately confirmed interest in his client joining the club and club are quietly confident either this initial bid, or a slightly higher one that's within budget, can secure the deal.
My favourite recently was "cannot be underestimated in the chase for..."
Ps. You need to add pondering to your list. In between considering and mulling perhaps.