Transfer Rumours Summer Transfer window

Gundogan
Young
Milner
Evans
Vardy
Coleman

All at least a few years older than Xhaka and been performing in the PL for years. I think Xhaka at 32/33 would be absolutely fine seeing as he's been performing at the top of the Bundesliga for the past 2 seasons.

 

Was just typing similar

 

Give me them both and I am over the moon.

I am not against Xhaka, just posing some questions. Maybe they are imponderables really. I do think there is some relevance in the age though if I am honest. I have had a look and if I am right there were 10 across the prem last season. Some of those were bit part players. Of them De Bruyne is the most elite but even he at times looked to struggle a bit. All that said the club will know Xhaka's level if indeed they want him, but we seem to put a lot of emphasis on data and stats etc. I wouldnt ignore this one totally myself.

 

29 days till the first game of the season and 45 til the window closes,

still time to get what we need in,

as per, in each window most transfers doesnt get done until the end of the window, regardless of what the club says or who is at the helm of talks. Ghisolfi would have been in the same boat with Roma, transfer and deals take time, to work out the kinks and fine tune everything,

players only get linked when there is some of these talks starting, then its down to the player if they want to go.

we still have to ship out fringe players to make room for new arrivals

 

My only interest is what a player would bring to the club, the cost is none of my business ...

... I don't get this argument about supporters being happy to pay 'this amount' but unhappy at 'that'.

The club has been totally transformed without any help from me.

 

Quite right mate.

5 year plan is a year ahead so we’ve essentially got all this unexpected money, it’s impressive how quickly the clubs done a pivot.

I can’t see KLD wanting mid table security every year so risks will be taken.

The football heritage in that family is from a ‘we have to be winning’ Marseille.

 

The club won't ignore it, my point is just because a player is of a certain age that doesn't mean he doesn't have the legs any more

Folk said we shouldn't sign young players as you don't get promoted with a squad as young as ours, we ignored that because we trusted our recruitment and development of players

Just because a player is about to turn 33 doesn't mean he doesn't have the legs tho

Yes xhaka would struggle at the teams battling for European spots but witn what we need he would be class

I'm.the same I'd want him and neil

 

The value he brings is far more than just his resale. There's the obvious: he could very well be the difference between relegation and survival, in which case he's immediately paid for his fee and wages for the entire contract many times over.

But also, and I think a lot of people are missing this: His leadership and experience would add value to all our other players, ESPECIALLY the midfielders. Imagine how much the likes of Neil, Rigg, Diarra, and Sadiki can learn from him even if he only stays 1 year. I think he would almost certainly add more to their value just from how much those lads would improve due to his advice and mentorship, than the total amount he'd cost the club.

He would be a sound investment, imo.

 

I think the Xhaka and age concern is a valid one ,but he will be surrounded by 20-23 year olds with plenty of leg power .He will be there as the head power not leg power.. If its not him I am sure we will get a couple of older players in.

 

No denying he had a poor game at Wembley. I think he admitted cramp. He knew he had to come off. I am guessing but the whole occasion got to him because he is probably one of the fittest lads in our squad. It was gutting to see tbh.

Maybe I have blinkers on with Neil, probably do. I openly admit to falling in love with players. I always have and always will. Neil has been marvellous to watch in my opinion since day 1. He has got better and better and I do think he will shine on the premier league stage, in a deep lying role where he has the likes of Le Fee finding little pockets of space to pass to (look at Wilsons semi final goal as an example of what I mean). But I may well be wrong - it is just my opinion at the end of the day. Whatever the reality of his potential or ability, as it stands now he is in the contract space where no club wants a player. Decisions needed very soon imo.

 

Players have absolutely excelled in the PL beyond 32.

Health, nutrition and data has moved on so much. What to eat, how to train.

32 is no age, Xhaka was never quick, the first main physical that suffers. 32 he has at least 2 years at his level.

We need 1 year.

 

Best one was Paul Scholes, got brought out of retirement to run things for United

As long as you don't have multiple old players in a team who struggle to cover the ground then you are fine

 

It's a fair point, we would be giving out a 3 year contract for what is probably 12 to 18 months of consistent performance at the level and then potentially a drop off a cliff.

I think in context, it's fine though. Him being such a good character and leader helps with that, it's not the old school "one last pay cheque" kind of signing. If he's the difference between staying up and not, then it pays for itself.

The way the game is these days, there would still probably be an opportunity for him to go to Saudi or MLS a year or 2 from now when he no longer looks able to play at Premier League level.

I wouldn't want more signings like this but Xhaka provides an immediate improvement to our team and provides valuable experience that just doesn't exist in our squad.

 

Jan Molby barely moved from the centre circle in the entire season.

 

Some good points on Xhaka for both sides of the argument. Do think the finances make it strange for us to be going for him but you can assume that the club thinks there is a deal to be made that makes sense and that they are comfortable with.

Also find it funny we are now in a position to debate whether we should sign Granit Xhaka or not. Been some rise in such a short space of time, remember debating people on here whether Jordan Jones would be a good signing lol

 

I saw a few pages had gone on since I checked earlier this morning and got excited that we might have a positive update about us.

Nothing of the sort, just the continued debate about ages.

Ah well, back to work.

 

I doubt Xhaka would start every game too, if they feel he cant hack it. We'd have a squad big enough to move it around for a midweek game.

 

it’ll be a billion over 5 years

neymar, benzema Ronaldo were all on 9 figures a year

 

And his sofa during the week

 

Not sure why people think he can't do what he's doing now this season and maybe the season after, his legs aren't going to fall off