Transfer Rumours ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES, 25/26 SEASON

So they were telling porkies when they referred to a 3 year plan when Thorup was appointed?

 

Drive him there quick before they change their minds and throw in Long as a freebie

 

Does that mean to let him go? Why would they want him to leave rather than stay? Especially if we're not getting what we think he's worth?

These questions are not really directed to you, SC; I'm just trying get a handle on what people at the club are thinking.

 

I think Suffolk meant inside Burnley when he said:

"I still wouldn't discount Burnley at this stage. There are some inside that club pushing Sargent's case hard to the ownership.”

In other words, pushing their own club hard to sign Josh.

 

No. I see no reason why there couldn't be a top six aim in the first year of a "3 year plan". IMO, that should be the minimum aim for our club in any season.

 

Yes, thanks Rick. I didn't read it very well, did I.

 

Ah good take, I think you’re right. As CanarySpring says these are not my words but those of Connor Southwell. You’re take would make sense RER as we know Barnes was a big fan and friend of Sargent while at the club - although signing Sarge would only limit Barnes game time even further

 

Places I've worked came out a new 5-year plan every two years. It's kind of funny but they have to steer the ship.

 

They did make a very good pair under Wagner.

 

JHT himself said that we should always be a club in the conversation for top 6 or top 10 something along those lines, we ended up outside of those areas, but there has been rumours of him losing players backing and not having particularly strong relationships with the players. The last run of 10 games felt on a downward spiral. Who’s to say whether after this transfer window he would have turned it around, we will never know, he certainly planned and hoped so, BK clearly didn’t.

 

PinkUn also appear to be confirming ongoing talks with Jeffrey Schlupp, who could be a useful utility player capable of playing left back, left wing and central midfield

 

No reason why there couldn't be, the question is was there? IMO actions speak louder than words. Look at the recruitment last summer, and the squad with which we went into the season, and tell me honestly whether you think it was what you would expect of a club genuinely targeting a top six finish. I'd say it speaks more to a club set on lowering its age profile and its wage bill while hoping nevertheless to challenge for the top six.

I don't recall anyone on here even hoping for a top six finish; the predictions as I recall were for mid table, the hopes for something a bit closer to the top six.

 

I find it reassuring that Attanasio deferred to Knapper and it was Knapper’s decision. As I’ve said a number of times, I was surprised by the decision and from the outside didn’t think it was necessarily a great one. But I’m please the club was decisive, I’m happy with the replacement and it is good news IMO that this was a decision by the expert rather than the owner (who is far from an expert…) No-one is better placed to know what the relationship was like between JHT and the players and how it aligned with the long term strategy.

 

The recruitment last summer totalled over £20m being added to a squad which had finished in the top 6 the previous year. Yes we lost Sara, Rowe and Kamara, but there was no reason we shouldn't have aimed at competing for the top six. Instead we got undermining talk about a 3 year transition. How did that sound to our existing players like Sargent, Sainz, Núñez and McLean who couldn't wait 3 years for success? Even when we were close to the playoffs over halfway through the season the messaging was still about patience for the 3 year transition. To be perfectly frank, the negativity pissed me off. Set long term plans to be sure, but don't give up on the season in hand. No, I wasn't happy to accept a mid table finish.

 

Meanwhile:

"Celtic are reportedly in advanced talks over the sale of Yang to Norwich City. The Championship side have been keen on the South Korean talent in recent weeks after selling Borja Sainz to Porto for £14.25m."

https://thecelticstar.com/celtic-poised-to-sell-yang-as-norwich-talks-reach-advanced-stage/

 

Forgive my ignorance, but has Sargent definitely gone to Wolfsburg or is the transfer still being sorted?

 

Still being sorted.

 

Reports from last weekend were a bit premature, Wolfsburg submitted an improved offer but it wasn’t accepted, conversations ongoing though

 

I would have thought commercially it might have made sense to keep him for the world cup, if he did well and the yanks go crazy it could be worth a lot of money

 

As things stand, he may well not even be in the US squad for the World Cup. Playing in the Bundesliga might at least improve his chances of participating. Surely the best way for us to ensure we benefit is via a sell on clause in any contract of sale?