Transfer Rumours Summer Transfer window

All that matters ‘are they good enough?’

 

Defo shouldn’t be discounted, but you’d struggle to justify the argument that we shouldn’t look domestically based on that alone. Still true that our success has been primarily due to the domestic market. Of course it’s tougher to do now, but it absolutely shouldn’t be discounted as a route to good players. I just think it’ll be more about us finding an edge in those deals - either due to the targets being partially/totally unproven or being undervalued in some other way. Relegation release (or non promotion) clauses, last year of contract. Senior squad omissions (City and Chelsea should be watched VERY closely for opportunities). PSR related opportunities. It’s not as simple as one track or another. It’s all just about use of intelligence. I’d be very disappointed if the club is being narrow in its focus just because we’re recruiting Ghisolfi. That would not represent the operations of a smart club.

 

My personal view on this has changed from where it would have been 10 years ago. 10 years ago I’d have said British and premier league experience were key. But I don’t think the premier league is “special” any more.

don’t get me wrong the quality is extremely high. But foreign coaching influence makes it very little difference to other European leagues.

being a proven good player, with athleticism and intelligence, is the highest priority now. No matter where they got their experience.

 

Overly narrow definition of ‘top contributors’. Our most important player last season came from Birmingham and our player of the year came from Linfield.

 

I mean I would say most of our success has been from domestic talent, but I'm still of the opinion it doesn't matter where they're from as long as they're good players - the top contributors happen to not be domestic but don't think it's worth reading into.

Just have to disagree I think, not worth differentiating between domestic and foreign players, just about getting in the right ones.

 

Yeah I agree with that. I just can’t see there being many of those deals available in those circumstances for us to do. I imagine we will try though

 

Are goals not what matter? If they didn’t score or assist those goals we wouldn’t be in the premier league. Feels wrong to not say they aren’t a big reason for our resurgence also

 

yep. Right ones at right price. Don’t care where they’re from. It’s just the right price is more likely to be abroad.

 

Sheff Wed must have been absolutely sick of the sight of Mayenda.

4 goals against them.

 

FWIW I’m not trying to say don’t sign domestic talent. I’m just saying the way the market is we aren’t going to be able to find too much of it. Which is why we will be shopping abroad mostly

 

Yeah pretty much what I'm trying to say. If we can get a starting quality centre back for £15m from the PL or Championship then great, just not sure it's possible right now.

 

Not saying they aren’t a big one. Just not the most important. All subjective but if it was just about goal scorers, Reidy wouldn’t have taken us down.

When you balance out all of the progress over the past 4.5 years it’s difficult to argue that it wasn’t primarily based on domestic players. That’s not to say that it won’t change now though. It’s certainly true what @JimHeron92 says above that it’s about getting the most we can from the deals. Definitely merit in the argument that you get more for your money when shopping abroad for more established players. However it’s unlikely to be as clear cut as that when you factor in the need for immediate impact or cultural adjustment.

 

It plainly isn’t.

Someone like Badiashille, who’d be a great signing for us and has shown he has it in him to play PL, be at least 25

 

Yeah I do agree. I just think we are going to find it quite hard to get talent that can “do it in the PL” that is already here without costing a mental fee. Hopefully we can find the right deals

 

Anyways speaking of foreign talent - France u21 play Denmark u21 at 5pm today.

Good chance for anyone to watch Bischoff, Nartey, Merlin (if we still want him) and some of the other French players who aren't linked yet but inevitably will be.

 

Imagine

 

Arsenal were linked I think?

 

Arsenal, spurs and Brentford I believe. Maybe the mags too but probably a loose link.

 

Apparently Bakayoko is really missing Seelt so wants to come here