So as we enter build up week, the rumours remain low key with just repetition around Guehi and Torres. Feels like Howe is going to put trust and faith back into the likes of Murphy, Longstaff, Almiron, Schar.
I don’t have major concerns with Lobby (as Tonali and Willock) nor do I have major concerns about Schar if need be for another season. My main concern though would be that right hand side. Personally believe we should have focused on that position first then look at centre back
I don't think they'll get a RW player I suspect they will lose the full budget on Guehi or get nobody at all.
I don't think this is Howes doing, he would always want to strengthen I mean what manager wouldn't? Difficult market in terms of value with psr still being an issue, great if we get Guehi but £60m+ is a lot and would be be our most expensive player. I'm not concerned, we only have the domestic league and cups to worry about this season and have looked decent in pre season. Still 3 weeks to go and I'm sure we'll sign what we need. We just need to get rid of Hayden, Fraser, Lewis & Dubs.
Howe will have asked for a CB as his priority I have no doubt, especially with Botman and Lascelles being out for a while. I suspect Ashworth leaving has hindered us a touch in timings as we couldn't get the new DoF in before the window really. I'm not concerned, this season was always going to be one of quietly trying to push 4-6 in the league and our current group can do that. Sad that we lost Minteh as he think he could have been a solution the the RW but I'm not worried overall. If we go small this time then we'll be in a position to go big in future and out DoF will have had time to find the players they want. We could have a season that allows the like of Miley, Hall, Livra, Sanusi, etc to get more game time due to a lack of signings. I'm ok with that.
I would add on though that paying £60m for Guehi when Man Utd seem to be getting de Ligt and Nazroui for the same price (though presumably much bigger wages and signing on fees I guess) does feel too much. I want him but £40-50m feels like a fair price. They don't need to sell though so if we want him we're going to need to pay over the odds, it is what it is.
That can't be the only criteria. If we got Guehi for £750m he would improve our team but I wouldn't be happy about the purchase. I would certainly prefer to buy one or two genuine improvements to our first team each season rather than a few squad players but there always has to be a question of value. Just because you can agree a large fee for a player who is an improvement doesn't mean you should.
If he's right, then they've not rejected it immediately as with the previous two bids... Looks more hopeful. I just hope the player is as good as my Crystal Palace supporting mate says he is, having not watched too many Palace games myself.
If they sign him and a good rw player I don't think anyone can complain. New material will be required
Obviously that's an unanswerable question, I haven't spoken to any of the players or know their motives or price. Although it's not my job to find these players and work out if they're keen to move, what their wages are and whether they fully fit our system off the top of my head I think Inacio, Scalvini and Calafiori (who went for £42m) are probably all comparable. I think de Ligt has had an "ok" career so far rather than the stellar one that was expected but it rumored to be going for around £40m and he's got bags of experience at the same age. Thiaw was rumoured to be more like £30m as a figure. The point, is that given the comparable moves for players around Europe we are paying an inflated price for Guehi. I don't specifically have a problem with that but understand why the club has been reticent to just agree to Crystal Palaces demands. I think he's a good player and if we get him I hope he does well.
Fully agree. It is an inflated price, it is also a less risky transfer as he is proven to be good in the PL. If this bid is rejected, I think we are done with Guehi and will try to sign Chalobah instead who has been told to train the Chelsea reserves, so should be a fairly easy purchase. Prob get him and Madueke for one Guehi
Newcastle don't seem to bother unless it's 'the' player they want. I'm not against that either because they're investing in something for years not just until Xmas.
