I'm inclined to dismiss the Sun as rubbish, but I would not view Lloris' sale as a surprise. Why would we have gotten a PL-starter level GK like Vorm if the plan wasn't to sell Lloris? The club's denial that he is for sale doesn't mean anything to me, frankly, since the club also denied Bale was for sale. The only good news is that Vorm does look good, and that a GK is the most interchangeable part on a team.
I hate to agree but that was my inkling when we signed Vorm who by his own right is a quality keeper. I think Lloris will go if the price is right at the end of the season. He's a world class keeper and will want to play in the CL for sure. If we fail to reach that which is more likely than not, I can see the club getting several considerable offers which Levy will squeeze every penny out of to fund our stadium. The sensible money is him going in the summer BUT at a premium.
The fact that Naughton and Lennon aren't starting tonight tells us that they are probably on their way out.
What is mildly encouraging is there are only a handful of clubs that have the stature to turn Hugo's head, and probably half of those have no need for him. The only clubs which are currently a threat are Madrid, Barca and PSG, admittedly none of which are particularly well equipped in goalkeepers. Cech is probably available to those clubs also, and if given the option of paying £10m for him or £30m for Lloris I think most would go with the former. I wouldn't be surprised if City replaced Hart at some point also, his reputation's slipped in recent years.
So 6 weeks ago, I think we'd nearly all be in agreement in wanting a proven 20+ goal a season striker. Since Kane has emerged, I still think we need a striker (as Soldado and Adebayor aren't cutting it) - but now I'm thinking what sort of striker should we be looking for? Kane is surely first choice now so do we for another young striker as a backup or go for an older proven striker?
I would like a proven striker,Soldado would fit the bill,if he was scoring when he had games,sadly his confidence seems shot
I've heard Ched Evans is available? It's difficult because any 'proven goalscorer' we bring in will expect to be first choice, and you have to envisage that affecting the progress of young Harry. On the other hand bringing in a youngish 'backup' striker effectively gambles on the assumption that Kane is the finished product, which no one is quite sure of yet... and in any case that's not the message that we should be sending him. I'm increasingly of the view that Berahino might be a very good signing for us. He won't expect to play all the time, eye for goal, has room to improve, and offers something very different to what we have. Most neutrals would put him on a par with Kane which I think would be a good combination. Can't envisage Adebayor playing for the club again so action does need to be taken. Anyone else a little shocked at how quiet the window is so far?
I've said similar about Kane. His emergence could pretty much save us £20m+. We now (providing Kane keeps up the form) don't need to look for a new "number 9" so to speak, who'll cost big bucks and expect to be first choice, we can look at getting rid of Ade and/ or Soldado and replace them with guys who'll come in and be hungry to challenge Kane. The likes of Charlie Austin, Danny Ings and Bafetimbi Gomis would all be decent options I feel. I'd take Berahino too, though not for £20m, although he may want a guaranteed spot in the side anyway, which I don't think we could offer right now thanks to Harry.
Has everybody forgotten about the Bale sale already? Paper rumours were quashed and we were all categorically told he wasn't for sale and we know what happened there. Club statements don't mean a thing IMO.
For us? No. We have a stadium to fund. Other clubs... it will start to get busy in the last week of the month as always.
Anything is possible in the summer, especially if Levy smells a tasty profit. I think what the club is saying is that he's going nowhere in the near future.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30699769 Another footballer chasing the money and soon to disappear from anybodies match day squad. Might play a few games before being sold to Sunderland for £4.99 and a packet of Rothmans.
If your requirement for a striker is basically for a back up who could also make an impact from the bench would Defoe be a good fit?