Think it's pretty apparent now we're just chucking 20m bids at anyone and we're categorically going through the list of strikers provided by Rafa. Its great we've had the funds approved, but this late in the day we're finding clubs aren't willing to let their strikers go for reasonable prices due to them in turn having limited time for a replacement. I honestly think 15m would have got you Slimani at the start of the window.
Yep, looks strong with good heading ability (unlike Gayle). Leicester have now signed two big money strikers two summers in a row that don't fit the way they play. Once Okazaki and Vardy's legs go they'll be knackered.
As true as that is in theory, the knowledge that you can change the stadium's name and the fans will still show up every game suggests it's not really our club, sadly.
Or they'll just change the way they play, which was the point of bringing in Slimani in the first place.
Well yes, but they've already spent the better part of £60m on two strikers to change that yet every manager that comes through the door defaults to the safe "Leicester way".
You're right but I do think the tactic has a natural shelf-life attached to Vardy and Okazaki mind, pretty rare players in of themselves. I give it two more seasons at best, in which case both Slimani and iheanacho can still be of use to them. God imagine us having a 'safe' Newcastle way that isn't selling your best players and getting relegated.
I have a feeling that we may see Gayle go for £15m to Fulham, Mitro to Brighton for £15m and Two from Slimani, Ramirez and Jorgensen come in. I’d take that all day long. And a number 10.
Gayle and Cairney straight swap Shelvey to West Ham £12m Mitrovic to Brighton/WBA £15m Slimani in £20m Shurrle loan Extra 7m used for wages as that’s a thing with us. Ritchie Cairney Merino Kenedy Shurrle Slimani
If Rafa wants him then you have to accept that is his choice. I'm not convinced on what little I've seen but I assume Rafa has done a fair bit of scouting to come up with him as the guy to spend 20m on. If we are genuinely going to fork out that sort of fee, we need to spend it wisely. People might say "you need 40m for a striker" but I think you will find plenty of strikers who have got goals in the last few years who have come in for around this mark or less, so I'd hope that excuse is not rolled out. I wonder if Rafa is eyeing up a switch to a back three with the addition of Kenedy. Certainly him and Yedlin look ideal for the wing back role in a 343.
So nailing your colours to the mast, as we seafarers say, who for £20M would you buy? That’s feasible and would likely come.
Seems to be the right tactic. Getting a 10 on our budget is considerably less likely than one of these target men. If rumours are to be believed, and we looking at each of Jorgensen, Slimani, Dost and Selke then we are clearly considering some changes. I think if you have the right front three (which is probably where the Schurrle rumour sprang from), willing wing backs and some talent for passing in midfield, it could work very well. In defence, we have five CB's, two left sided at that. Wing backs could be covered either side by Manquillo. The front one, two or three (3-5-2, 3-4-3, 3-6-1 all options) needs to be good in the air with a decent finishing rate. CM, though lacking a top class DM, is well stocked. So, yeah, that looks like what he's doing. That said, once the windows closed, you'd bet your house on us lining up 4-2-3-1, with Perez and Diame on the pitch. You're right to be sceptical about spunking £20m on a player with the current track record. We'll see. I'd be delighted with Selke or Dembele, intrigued by Balotelli and willing to see what Slimani or Jorgensen can do. Problem is it's not solely Rafa's decision, not unless he says it is. If we're still pissing about with J.Barnes and L.Charnley trying to get a Sports Direct discount......
Aye but only because the window will close and we'll have newt but a loan signing and a litany of failed bids. Diame has actually looked pretty good the last few games, almost feel dirty saying that!
If I were fat mike I would tell Rafa to royally **** off and stop asking for money for a new striker. He spunked £5m on Joselu who he insists on playing week in week out and is our top scorer with a grand total of 4 goals. He has a perfectly good and capable striker in Mitro who he just point blank refuses to play for whatever reason despite our continuing failure to convert chances in front of goal with the spanish contingent he continues to field week in week out. Sell Gayle and replace him with Hernandez maybe (should be cheapish) and play him up top with Mitro then see where we are at.
"Spunked" £5 million on Joselu ? He was given £5 million to buy a striker and your surprised that he is a bit disappointing ? As for Joselu or Mitro: Mitro finishes better than Joselu. Joselu works his socks off and doesn't pick up pointless red cards. I might have gone more for Mitrovic but I trust Rafa's judgement on this more than mine.
Didn't say Mitro was great but, yes, I think he finishes better than Joselu. Gayle certainly finishes better than either of them. Sad state of affairs.
Slimani, Khouma Babacar, Willian Jose, Abel Hernandez I would think all would come in around the 15-25m mark. Most around 20m. One significantly less (Hernandez) That is me just watching the TV though. I think Rafa has scouts or something. Just a rumour I've heard. I'm not sure how strong Rafa's pulling power is as he'd be competing with the likes of Palace, Everton etc. Most of those clubs are seen as preferable destinations as to us as a newly promoted side so Rafa will have to work some magic. So I can understand if Rafa doesn't manage to sign anyone. As I say I agree with Rafa, January is a tricky market and its difficult to get deals done. You only want to be signing players that you want. So anyone who comes in its because Rafa thinks they will add something and are good value. I know its difficult for fans to swallow this but its the truth, he's not saying it for a laugh.
