Transfer Rumours Arrivals / Departures lounges, Summer 2023.

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RiverEndRick said:
That's probably a way off given Hayden's injury, Sara's lack of pre-season and Kone being only a possibility, but it does suggest the midfield shape S&S are looking for, with number 6 type DM playing slightly deeper than McLean and/or Sara and/or Kone, if he comes, in a 4-3-3.

Where we're trying to break down more defensive teams though, the midfield 3 could become a 2 with Cantwell or Dowell providing creativity behind Pukki in a 4-2-3-1 with Sara or Kone being given a free role to create overloads during attacks. It's interesting that both Sara and Kone are described as front foot players who want to pass or carry the ball forward rather than passing back to keep possession. That, I suspect, will be the main difference from Farkeball which, in its own way could be just as attractive in execution.
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Yes I would agree, that DS is looking to have a midfield 3 comprised a defensive minded "6" and two more attacking/box-to-box "8"s. We currently have Mclean who isn't ideal as a6 in my opinion but may be ok as an "8", Sorensen can be a decent "6" in my opinion, Hayden I believe has been brought in to be the starting number "6", Sara sounds like he would fit the description of an "8" and then we need another to come in. I believe when all are fit the midfield 3 will be Hayden, Sara and Cantwell (converted to an attacking 8). Mclean could be exchanged for Cantwell to solidify the midfield potentially.
 
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From an MLS journalist.
 
If we sign Kone, and it is looking a distinct possibility, we should involve him in the first team squad from day 1. He appears to be a raw talent, one who opposing defences would have no idea of how to contain. We have too many "for the future" players, we need to unleash one or two in the present, otherwise our recruitment policy is seriously flawed.
 
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Normann posting more instagram content of him training alone in NCFC gear, again. Maybe he just likes winding fans up?

https://www.rt.com/sport/557545-fifa-transfer-rule-foreign-players-russia/

Looking at the situation with players in the Russian Premier League, FIFA will allow them to suspend their contracts until June 2023 in order to sign, play, and be paid by, another club. Normann's contract with Rostov runs until June 2024, so whilst he's not yet a free agent, no fee is owed to Rostov for him to play elsewhere in the coming season. So he can be signed now on a 1 year deal paying 100% of whatever salary the club/player agree, irrespective of his wages at Rostov. Obviously depending on the situation in Russia in 12 months time, that contract may well be extended.

Unless his plan is to literally wait until deadline day in the hope of an amazing offer, it feels like if he was going to sign for Norwich, it would have happened by now. That ruling appears to have been in place for 5-6 weeks.
 
How would people feel about a loan deal for Anwar El Ghazi? There's been talk about the club wanting another winger, and it having to be a loan deal.

Looking to leave Villa on loan this summer, with one year left on his deal. Obviously Dean Smith knows him well. 27 years old and could potentially continue with the club as he's a free agent next summer. 5 goals, 6 assists in 31 Championship games last time he played this level, and covers the right side where we have fewer natural options. 6ft2 so ticks a box in terms of height as well.

There's a certain logic to it?
 
Article on us and Koné by the same MLS journalist, Chris Smith:

https://www.90min.com/posts/ismael-kone-norwich-city-leading-race-for-cf-montreal-canmnt-prospect

I don't think this would be a 'one for the future' signing, given that he's already capped by Canada - he'd be fighting for one of the CM positions.

As for Anwar El Ghazi, there does seem to be a natural fit if he's willing to drop down a league. For me, it mainly depends on whether Smith intends to play with an AM or not. If not, we already have Sargent, Cantwell, Dowell, Sinani, Hernandez and Rowe who can play WR in a 4-3-3. El Ghazi is much more a right winger than than a player who cuts in to pass or shoot Buendia style. I'd also guess his wages are very high for us. Smith may we'll see it differently though.
 
SuffolkCanary said:
Yes I would agree, that DS is looking to have a midfield 3 comprised a defensive minded "6" and two more attacking/box-to-box "8"s. We currently have Mclean who isn't ideal as a6 in my opinion but may be ok as an "8", Sorensen can be a decent "6" in my opinion, Hayden I believe has been brought in to be the starting number "6", Sara sounds like he would fit the description of an "8" and then we need another to come in. I believe when all are fit the midfield 3 will be Hayden, Sara and Cantwell (converted to an attacking 8). Mclean could be exchanged for Cantwell to solidify the midfield potentially.
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My main concern is how we will get the creativity to support the attack, particularly against teams parking the bus with an 8 man low block in defence. It could be that Sara and/or Cantwell could play the deep playmaker role from CM to good effect, but Smith might prefer to play Cantwell as a number 10 behind the striker to provide the creativity needed in a Maddison type role, with Todd dropping back to help out when the ball is lost.
 
Hard to tell, not knowing any of the details, especially the money being demanded. He was likely seen as competition for Sara who is now back in training again. Sad that we've lost a week over this and have to start the season with a depleted midfield with PLM gone. Sara is still an unknown factor and Hayden is out so that only leaves Cantwell, McLean, Gibbs and Sørensen as the other options in midfield.

My choice would be a 4-2-3-1 with Cantwell playing behind Pukki as the playmaker and McLean and Sørensen at CM and DM.
 
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The good news is that Gibbs and the four players returning from loan have impressed Smith in pre-season:

“We wanted the loan players coming back to give us real problems. Now we have four players to add to the group who were here, and the ones we have brought in. The lads have minutes in their legs and we’ll be ready for Cardiff. We know the standard required this season.”

https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwi...-dean-smith-ipswich-liam-gibbs-praise-9172828
 
Rowdy said:
Stinks of last season with Ajer. We wouldn't pay an extra 2m or something and he went to Brentford instead. They stayed up and we leaked a record amount of goals. We also scored a record low having spunked money on Sargent and Tzolis
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My mistake. MB seems to think it was more personal or representative terms.

"Also, I understand CF Montreal & Norwich City had already agreed a fee for Ismael Kone.

Which I suspect means Norwich took issue with either the personal or representatives' terms.

All in here.
[HASHTAG]#NCFC[/HASHTAG] @TheAthleticUK #CanMNT
https://t.co/o7qlxXhdff"
 
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