With the January transfer window just around a very, very long corner, the press have already started linking us with moves. A couple of those links have been a Belgian pairing who both play in Holland, Toby Alderweireld of Ajax and Dries Martens of PSV. The former's a 23 year old centre-half who linked up well with Vertonghen during his time in Amsterdam after Vermaelen joined the Goons. The latter's a 25 year old winger who can play on either side and has a good goalscoring record with his current club. The fees are supposedly £7.2m and £10.5m. With the ongoing rumours about Dawson being moved on, his previous injury problems and Villas-Boas not rating him, I'd say that the first looks a real possibility. Bringing in a player that already has an understanding with Vertonghen and who wouldn't cost us any more than the fee we'd get for the departing Dawson is virtually a no brainer, from our manager's perspective. Getting in some decent cover and competition for both Bale and Lennon wouldn't go amiss, either.
If we start negotiations now, we might have all the paperwork sorted to sign Axel Witsel from Zenit before the January transfer deadline...
I'd have Dries Mertens in a heart beat. I've mentioned him a few times in other threads that he'd be a top signing. I know he primarily plays off the wing coming inside, but I could see him deployed in a VDV role behind the striker if he joined us, the pace and skill we'd have in that attacking midfield trio would be awesome. Don't know much about Toby Alderweireld but as he's a CB I don't see the need for him at the moment. We have Verts, Caulks, Gallas and Dawson fit right now and Kaboul should be back by December which'll be great. I know Alderweireld has played RB for Belgium a few times so unless he'll be brought in as competition for Walker, I don't really think it's a signing we need to make.
I think we should look to shorten all our CBs names and and put an "s" at the end. Verts, Caulks, Galls, Daws, and Kabs. Leds no longer plays, of course. How about that?
Nothing galls like seeing Gallas continue his decline in full view of everyone - especially opposition forwards.
He is becoming a bit 50/50 isn't he, but when he's good, he is good...United. I'm more than intrigued as to what happens when Kaboul is back, he's going to need easing in after such a long layoff, so expect to see good game bad game WG for a bit longer!...or will he drop Caulker?
sounds very much like willian, but at about 1/4 of the price. No Brainer is you ask me. (if he's got as much potential as we keep hearing)
I read somewhere that Mertens got something like 20+ goals and around 15 assists last season, amazed no teams have taken a real interest in him. At 25 seems like he's developed/ developing a bit later than most but none the less, definitely a player I'd like to see at the Lane. Especially as like you say, he'll be 1/4 the price of Willian.
thats ridiculous. for 10mill odd, someone needs to take advantage of that. I didn't realise he was that prolific. (1/3 of price. i was looking at the figure PNP quoted for Toby Alderweireld)
Willian is not in our price range anymore, doesn't matter how many times AVB texts him, he won't be coming here, his CL displays have now alerted the big boys.
If we sell Dawson and still want a 5th choice they'll have to be young and inexperienced as they'll have to be willing to accept very little game time. As for the winger, sounds good although I actually don't know anything about him.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/11/02/3496853/- Goal reporting the De Boer has claimed Toby is not likely to leave in Jan (unless a huge bid is made which he doubts) but could likely move next summer. Probably for the best in my opinion. When Younes is back fit we'll have Kaboul, Caulker, Vertonghen, Gallas and Dawson still here by the end of the January window (though Daws COULD be moved on). Come the summer time, Gallas won't be around, Daws won't be around () and so another CB will be useful.
Here's a small report from me on him that I posted on the NUFC board in J when Alderweireld was linked: www.not606.com/showthread.php/145993-Possible-Defender?p=2844689&viewfull=1#post2844689 Toby Alderweireld is two years younger then Vertonghen, but he is not as good as him. He has a great long shot technique and great endurance, but his tactical skills and defensive skills are not that impressive. He is a solid defender in the box but he can easily be outrun during counter attacks. Goals, couldnt find better quality but youll get the idea of his long distance shots. [video=youtube;a942jvTz10Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a942jvTz10Y[/video] [video=youtube;rYzd0YzXXc0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYzd0YzXXc0[/video] Added info: This season he has been **** ever since Vertonghen moved to London. His concentration and motivation is extremely poor at times. With Vertonghen gone his weaknesses begin to show: his speed, agility and marking are way below par for any EPL team. Still can't cope with counter attacking moves and his tactical insight and positioning has been particularly bad in the past few months. If I had to pin him down to a team in de EPL that could use him it would be mid table or lower. Sunderland/Stoke City, but not for the Spurs. My advice, stay away from Alderweireld.
