We missed the boat in the summer, should’ve gotten it done then. Still offer the release clause on the 1st Jan but I reckon he’ll now hold out on a big European dog. Ndiaye is likely more attainable albeit will probably cost a similar price. Either way it’s a position we really need to strengthen and early too.
Yeah I agree. No idea which idiot on Bmouth's legal team managed to negotiate a contract that would lead to them losing their best player in the middle of the season and for less than what they would have got for him before he signed the new contract, but there you go. Ndiaye is an interesting option, especially if it means we don't have to suffer any more episodes of The Pigeon Who Thought It Was a Professional Footballer as part of the deal.
I think we should just go for it. What have we got to lose? We can't (won't, or will this change now that Daniel's in his garden?) compete with those two on wages, so I guess it boils down to the player himself. Doku has started the season superbly for City, plus they have Savinho who they fought tooth and nail to keep over the summer, and Marmoush. Liverpool can play any one of Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Isak and Ngumoha out there. So there is stiff competition at both clubs. Meanwhile here he'd jump straight to the front of the queue ahead of Tel, Odobert, Simons and Pigeon. More money and trophies, or more football? That's what it will boil down to. EDIT: If he does go to either of them, we should open discussions with Gakpo or Savinho. I'd prefer the former and him linking up with international team mates Simons and star striker Micky VDV could be interesting. Plan B for 'Operation Return the Pigeon' will have to then shift away from Ndiaye to maybe consider Alcaraz (promising young CM), Mykolenko (good cover at LB) or Garner (useful home grown squad player). Not mad on any of them but to be perfectly honest I'd sign Everton's tea lady for £60m if it meant never seeing Richarlison in a Spurs shirt again.
much more likely to be Wirtz or Ekitike than Szob or Isak but would hope we aren't flogging anyone (unless someone offers silly money ) as our squad is pretty thin atm
