Loans can do a lot of things. They don't always have to lead to a permanent signing. The speculation about Aaron Ramsdale would be a good example. Clearly he may not join and there may be nothing to it at all but talk but in theory it would be an ideal loan. I very much doubt we could ever sign him permanently but a loan for one season isn't as unrealistic and he'd be such a huge upgrade on the options we currently have that he might be the difference between relegation and staying up, and then we'd be in a better position to recruit someone else next summer. Although knowing Saints it's just as likely we'd continue to play Bazunu.
Totally agree. Done right they are worth their weight in gold and Ramsdale an example of a known quantity who would instantly upgrade the first team without a shadow of doubt. Was making the point more about Phillips and the suggestion that he might be 'worth a punt' or 'if he doesn't work out we could send him back in January'. Fact is we'd need to be damn sure a loan like that worked out because he'd be very expensive, smash any wage structure we'd have, take up a loan space etc
In a weird way I sort of hope someone does come in and pay the £20m-£25m we have set, especially if he doesn't sign a new contract. With Sugawara in I feel like £25m would be better spent elsewhere.
Boo. I want KWP to stay. He's our best player and we have no idea how Sugawara will get on. If we play 352 then our wing backs will be crucial. Plus KWP plays on both sides.
Yeah I am very torn and it does feel stupid to want one of your best players to leave. I suppose the reality is that without knowing what our actual budget is this window it is impossible to say. If the £25m we would theoretically get for KWP was the only way to bring in a top striker then I'd say it would be the smart move, but in a perfect world we could both spend elsewhere and keep KWP.
I'd heard somewhere before that KWP actually 'preferred' playing at LB/LWB .. not sure how true that is?
If this isn't true, I'll be mortar-fied!! .... (bet we can't keep the concrete puns going for long!!)
If true then I’m not really sure what we are waiting for. Unless the choice is him or O’Riley. They seem like different players though
All very fair points. I was really trying to say I'd want us to make sure we can end the loan early if he's no good so we can bring someone else in. I think Man City would have to agree to that from the get-go and I'm not convinced they would accept us saying that. I'm really thinking he might be worth a look if we have a loan slot available on deadline day and still need someone in his position. But I'd expect us to sign someone else to play there and probably/hopefully find a better way to use the loan market.
If both play out in our favour then we'd be looking at the following additions (so far) ... RB - Sugawara LB - Taylor CB - Wood, Edwards CM - Lallana, Camara, O'Riley We've got Downes and THB back. Throw in Alcaraz returning, Stewart (when/if fit) and potentially ABK. I can't see Onuachu staying. Said before but we then need a strong GK addition, a striker (or 2) and probably a winger (or 2) Fingers crossed!
