So who do we think it is? Defoe doing the rounds....Cole in a straight swap for Andrew Johnson is another....
We've been linked with so many, I'm beginning to think I'm in with a chance. Come on Jol, I'll sign for half of what we paid Kamara! Seriously, it's either a big(ish) money signing to partner Zamora, or a cheaper signing to understudy him. I don't think Cole would be a great partner, and I don't think either player would be happy playing back-up to the other. I don't see us stumping up for Defoe's wages unless we shed some serious wedge from the wage bill first (AJ and Salcido are the most likely candidates for making that happen), so my guess is... neither of the above. I think it's either someone in a foreign league who most of us haven't heard of (or hadn't heard of until this summer), or it's a lower division targetman designed to irritate those on this board who always say we should be signing established premier league players, even though hungry, up and coming types are just what we need to rejuvinate the squad and - with resale value and lower wages - just what we need to keep the books balanced. Here's a thought: Shane Long from Reading. He could partner Bobby, and he's got goals in him, 23 in 45 games last season. Reading are denying that they've received a £7m bid from Leicester, but it sounds like they are willing to sell him for a decent bid.
I'd take Shane Long, but not for £7m. I'm still hoping for that El Hamdaoui geezer, he looked class. Would be a good partner for Bobby too. And another thing - I'm getting a little deja vu here, where we seem to be linked everywhere except cover/competition for the full back slot!
That bet is too rich for my pocket, Cottager. Any basis for that, or just a wild uncorroborated fancy (like my call on Long)? I'm a little suspicious of another Mexican after Salcido, but Hernandez seemed to work out fairly well for Man Utd. Bidley, El Hamdaoui is precisely who I had in mind with my proviso of someone we hadn't heard of before this transfer window. I agree, I like the sound of him and have been frustrated that nothing has come of it.
One thing I noticed about El Hamdaoui is that he has not been in the Ajax team since before the end of last season, think he missed the last 3 or 4 games. And he is not in the 1st team squad photos !!! Injured ? Another one off our wanted list is Jeffren who has left Barcelona for Sporting CP for only £4m, which sounds a good price. What I've seen of Shane Long he could do well, but £7m would be a gamble. I prefer Defoe to Cole, but I can see the club doing a swap of AJ for Cole. Its been reported WHU have asked about Johnson and Cole wants away, but not willing to step down in wages according to Stoke.
I heard El Hamdaoui was off to Udinese. Might be wrong of course. Long could fit the bill but not at 7m - that's overpriced, everyone scores goals in the Championship - Kamara even. But surely Long is not a replacement for Zamora. We clearly need a back up. Defoe cannot play the lone striker either so I think this rules him out. I still feel we will ship a striker and get a new one in.
That is disappointing. Hopefully the El Hamdaoui rumour wasn't just a product of the "link Fulham with every player from every club Jol used to manage" phase.
I've just seen this: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...t-outcome-of-mystery-striker-bid-2331650.html So Jol has said that the mystery striker is to be an understudy for Bobby. It won't be a Defoe or Long then. As ever, we shall have to wait and see.
Yes and No. For a while we have been allegedly looking at de Nigris, so he's kind of in the frame. And truth be told I've struggled to come up with someone else available. Thought it might be worth risking my pocket money. There is I suupose D J Campbell who QPR have reputedly offered £1.25m. A 'friend of a friend' however tells me that he is 'not a very nice person', so he's off my list.
I thought DJ Campbell had joined QPR, or was that just a rumour that didn't get as far as being completed? I agree with cottagecravens that he doesn't fit the bit as a back-up for Bobby.
Well on a few other boards people are mentioning David Trezeguet as he is now on a freebie, hes 33 tho. whats peoples thoughts on that one?
We should be able to afford his wages... Surely they must drop as they get older! Wages amongst other things...
For various reasons I follow Spanish Football and Trezeguet scored 12 goals last season in a side that finished 19th in the League and actually only scored 36 goals in total. This would suggest that he has still got it. Thing was - he was a free so they could have pumped his wages up because of this. Having said this, he would be a free for us as well. Not sure if he would fit that well into our formation as he tended to play upfront as a lone striker last year and usually had Drenthe and Gomes on the wings supporting him. Where would this leave Bobby? If we go for anyone from Spain I would like it to be Castro of Real Betis who managed to put away 27 goals last season and is 3 years younger than Trezeguet.
