Nice, I like that one. The writer has said: Villarreal is accelerating the departure of Ben Brereton towards Southampton Negotiations open. The player knows that he will not continue at Villarreal, and he thinks it is good to play there. Ipswich has been interested too, but Southampton has the upper hand and negotiations are already underway
I'm sure others may disagree but this is a link I really do like. 6 goals in 14 PL games for an atrocious Sheffield United team. Chilean international, experience in La Liga and a former teammate of AA. Still only 25. For the right money, this is a very good option.
Pretty sure it's been reported that they are open to a loan with an option, too. Will be interesting to see if we want to use a loan slot, given there is potential to loan someone else (a GK?) or someone like Broja, who we have also been linked to. Rak-Sakyi chat also seems to be heading towards a loan now too
Only 1 year into a 4 year contract and so he wouldn't come cheap I suspect (although they did take him on a free from Blackburn so might not be all that bothered about a big fee to let him move on)
One of those players who I’ve seen his name a lot but never really focused on watching him play. Is he a winger or a 9?
WhoScored says that he played his first three games for Sheffield United off the left but then was up front in all bar one of his other 11 appearances
It isnt great that Villareal signed him then wanted rid less than 6 months later but if it is a loan then it seems good deal. Assuming of course we go and get in another striker of higher quality that is. I'd be happy with: 1. New ST 2. Diaz 3. Stewart 4. Arma (if needed)
Am I the only one excited by Rak-Sakyi? We look sooo much better under RM on the few occasions when we have a right winger who wants to play there and can cut in and use his left foot. He's shown enough at League 1 and PL2 level to suggest that he's ready for a shot at a higher level and the price point seems about right. Only concern would be with Olisse gone, why Palace would be so happy to let him go.
Amo and Meghoma are not even our proper Academy boys. We got them at 16. So the only difference between them and, say, Edozie, is a couple of years. We got Edozie at 19 and gave him plenty of game time. We did the same for Lavia (18 years old), Larios (18), Alcaraz (19), Bazunu (20), ABK (20), Mara (19), Charles (19). That's a hell of a lot of youngsters that we have tried to bring through. And in the past week we've signed half a dozen youngsters to pro deals, and we have three trialists with us.
Good point well put (though I'd argue that those listed above were given a lot more time and effort based on fee paid for them as opposed to ability/first team need but accept the point regardless) Who are the trialists?
Oddly Glasner says six players are ahead (before Olise left) “He’s working hard and doing well in training,” said Glasner back in April. “The situation is that we all agree with Eze, Olise and Mateta, it’s three amazing players in a really good shape. Ebs scores goals. JP scores goals. Michael scores goals and gets assists. “With Jeffrey Schlupp, Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard, we have three players who could start every game because they also deserve it with their quality and talent. It’s maybe now a tough moment for Jes. He’s coming back after two months from injury and now has six players here who are in fantastic shape and fit for a long time."
It does appear that the Cortese plan of 2/3rds of the first team being homegrown products died a few years ago with Les Reed and Martin Hunter (****s) killing it and has never recovered. Markus must be turning in his grave when he sees the expensive training facility and academy that bears his name and he funded no longer the cash cow it once was. I'd like to see promising young players given more of a chance but I can see why managers are fearful, it would've been easier when we were that established PL club, hopefully that will return in a couple of years.
It strikes me as the sort of situation where he could fall into our laps. A lot of things need to happen before we can get our hopes up even marginally. It would be an outrageous signing if we somehow manage to pull it off.