OK, should we stay in the league and Norwich and Sunderland do one to the championship. Who would you expect Rafa to go for this summer?
Well they won't be bloody French that's for sure, much more likely to be South American, and a few more PL experienced proven players. Apparently he has already sought the opinions of Mr Shearer.
Jese and callejon I would think would be close to the top of his list. Availabke, young and plent of class.
It will be interesting, if we do survive, what sort of transfer budget he has next season. That's where I see it all unravelling unfortunately. Carr and Charnley and to a lesser extent Mac have wasted a lot of money, that they will not recoup. Ashley wont 'put money in' so if its either not sat in the bank or we cant generate it, then were ****ed.
If he kept us up then I think Ashley would back him at least at the 1st window of opportunity. There would be no point in any of this otherwise.
If only there was a way of getting another £40m+ income next season.... We'll not have a lot in the bank right now but I can see £40-50m net spend next season. There is good deal of cash we could bring in from selling some of our squad too. If the ambition is there from the owner then I think we'll spend big again. I just think all the other clubs will too. EDIT - obviously this is based on staying in the premier league.
Keita Balde, Lazio LW/Striker, 21 Lazio, Rafa wanted him at Real M, but there was disagreement, he could be very interested in signing him should we stay up.
Just a piece on Keita from Wikipeadia Born in Arbúcies, Girona, Catalonia, to Senegalese parents, Keita came up through the FC Barcelona's youth academy. In 2010, Keita travelled with his Barcelona youth team to Qatar for a tournament, where he played a practical joke by placing an ice-cube in a team-mate's bed.[1] As a punishment, Barcelona sent the 15-year-old Keita on loan to satellite club UE Cornellà, despite Keita's reputation as a future prospect for the first team. The loan meant Cornellà held the rights to a fraction of Keita's playing rights. After a season in which he scored 47 goals for Cornellà's youth side, Keita turned down the chance to return to Barcelona, attracting the interest of Real Madrid and Manchester United.[2]
