I think Sturridge will be right up Rafa's street to be honest. Assuming he can pass a medical and the price isn't ridiculous. You sound keen to dump Lucas. We must be in the market for a defensive midfielder and Rafa brought him to Liverpool. Is he no good anymore? You can give an honest assessment as none of us are scouts for Newcastle.
He's brilliant. Would def be great for you, we'd all be gutted to see him go but he's outgrown our club. I heard he has a release clause anything over £20m so if you bid £20m + £1 then he'll be yours
In all seriousness he would be ok for a mid table to relegation fight which is what we will be next season.
I'd keep Lucas for another season. He won't be first choice for us, but as a senior member of squad he can certainly come in and do a job when needed and play in cups. I think he'll prob want first team football and he's at the age where he has probably one last contract left in him so may want a 3/4 year deal rather than 1 or 2 which we would prob offer him. He's very much like Barry or Carrick. Doesn't really have the legs to play in a 2 man midfield, but stick him in DM with 2 runners next to him and his experience and positional play will see him do well. Ultimate pro, gets his head down, causes no fuss what so ever. Would be sad to see him go, longest serving player and he's closest thing we have to a scouser in the team at the moment!
Is he out of contract at the end of this season? Transfermarkt.co.uk says he is but I've also read one year left on his deal.
Has one year left from what I gather. Was no talk in Jan about anyone looking at him on pre-contract which would have been available for foreign clubs.
Shawcross (although stated he wasn't interested) Cairney (there'll be better suitors for Sigurdson) Andre Gray Capoue Aaron Lennon Free agents Zabaleta - would be a fantastic signing Kirchoff - anyone?
On my list of definite NO's would be: Gibbs, Wilshere, Sturridge, Delph, Lennon As it happens I think all would have no interest at all anyway thankfully. I don't want injury prone players we pay a fortune to sit in our treatment room - it is an accepted fact that is what these players would bring. Absolute stupidity in my opinion to even consider it in our situation. Of course I'd love to see Sigurdsson- again probably no hope but he would fill the 10 role and give us the dead ball specialist we haven't had for years. Shawcross is another who would be a good player but wouldn't have any interest in us. Assuming they are not an option I'd like to see a mix of experience and young hungry players we can develop. Abraham would be near the top of the list. Whether on loan or purchase he'd be ideal. If Ake is getting farmed out or available he'd be of interest. Chambers similar. Cairney is mentioned but I expect Fulham to be in the PL. I think him and Sessegnon will stay where they are. I think Aden Flint and Joe Bryan are interesting options for centre back and left back. Gibson would be preferable or Chambers but it depends on availability. I still like the idea of M'Vila in that holding role. He'd be worth pursuing. I like the idea of Markovic and Gruijic from Liverpool on loan or purchase. Not sure what the alternate options to Sigurdsson would be - maybe Swift from Reading.
I like the look of that Aden fella but the problem is his name. It's the major hotspot city for Al Quaeda in Yemen so will likely throw up some iffy google searches tor fans. Especially at work.
Is Lennon injury prone? I didn't think he's struggled with injuries but had been forced out of two very good sides as he's gotten older.
