It will only happen if we sell big. Money has moved on. We could easily recoup the highest amount of transfer fees we ever have this window
I honestly still don't think we would spend 15m on a single player. Close to 10 perhaps, if we sell big. 15m just feels incredibly reckless to me and the ownership have shown they are anything but reckless.
Karamoko Dembele, the wonder kid from Celtic who made his debut at 16, now aged 21 signed to Brest in Ligue 1 and has spent the season on loan with Blackpool playing as a number 10 (he can also play on the wings) scoring 8 and assisting 14 for them this season. I know that is not necessarily a position we're desperate to fill considering we've been crying out for a striker for what seems like 2 years now, but I'm convinced this lad will play in the Premier league in the next couple of years, he has the technical qualities to cause very good defenders problems, extremely quick feet and is as fast as you'll see over 10 yards.
Parachute payments if we go up and come back down could get us closer. But that's just not the situation wrong are in. I'm not sure how many signings in the championship have been over 15m at all. Would be surprised if it is more than a handful and I would assume they are pretty much all from clubs who've dropped out of the premier league.
You're right of course. But on the counter I'd also wonder how many Championship sides have made £60m in sales in a window before. Which could feasibly happen to us.
Luca Connell is a good young player too. Was at Celtic too, now at Barnsley. Defensive midfielder. Only played about 20 games this season as he had a mystery illness earlier in the season.
I posted similar not long back. He looks like he could take us to a similar level as last year. He and Roberts would link well, he's got a bit of Diallo and Roberts about him.
I can see it. The way his season ended. The way finances are under the scrutiny they are, wouldn't surprise me at all.
I can see us selling 2 regular first team players but really not much more than that as it would de-stabilise the squad. squad players we may sell another couple but I would imagine that we move on 2 of maybe Clarke, Ballard, Patto, Hume, Neil, Cirkin, Alese, Ekwah. the club will not sell 3 or 4 of these unless players themselves request a transfer. It is worth remembering that sales in general are an agreement between the club and the player so decisions are really not made by either but will be agreed by all parties depending on what is best for all concerned. As a club they have often stated that we are building a squad and have no need to sell, and we have our more valuable players on good contracts so negotiations for us will be from a position of strength which will help. The right Head coach and manager will also aid in negotiation's as will feed back from the owner and director of football. I am still expecting the usual meltdown from fans as rumour and conjecture take hold and agents and click bait collectors churn out the latest conspiracies but hopefully we come out of it with a strong and resolute squad and a good mix of quality and skill matched with players who have a bit of dogged determination about them.
Has anyone watched much of Michael Cuisance of late? Available in the Summer and very highly rated centre mid once over but edging closer to obscurity since leaving Bayern Munich. At 24 y/o, it could be similar to when we signed Roberts as a player with bags of talent who'd lost their way and just needed a fresh start (Aouchiche and Pembele similar examples). French as well, so I'm sure club will have already tracked him at some point given his reputation.
Watched him earlier this season and he was awful, game totally bypassed him by - looks a shadow of the player he looked as a youngster I was targetting him for my club but was really disappointed when i watched him I have only seen him twice though so it might be that i watched his poor games but based on those i think he would struggle in the championship
I think we need to acknowledge the effect injuries have had on us this season. If we had everyone fit, with the addition of the several really promising Academy lads,this is a very talented squad of players,with strengthening required in only a couple of areas....imo, cdm and striker. The club have already said we don't need to sell,but,of course,if an offer comes in which meets our valuation,we won't turn it down. I'm expecting to lose Clarke,but hoping he's the only one and that Ballard and Neil stay for at least another year. It seems as though we'll make a head coach appointment imminently,who will have input into the squad build. It's going to be an interesting couple of months!
Was told the other day that Chris Rigg signing for Bayern Munich was very much a possibility… Hope he stays put.
