It's being reported that we're making a move for Ross Barkley. It's believed to be happening. Everton don't want to let him go but a 40m or player plus cash bid could test their resolve. He'd be a great addition for Spurs.
I wouldn't even want him for that. He'd demand a starting spot at that price, especially because he's young, English and starting games at Everton too, and I'm not sure he'd get it the way we're playing right now. Apparently Bayern want £16 million for Shaqiri, now if we're playing fantasy football I know which one I'd rather get for those prices. That said I don't think we'd realistically get either, so its academic. Shaqiri at that price would be a risk worth taking IMO but I doubt we'd get the opportunity as he'd be sought after by clubs offering bigger wages and CL football. Apparently Bayern have a close relationship with Wolfsburg, so he's off there. We'll see. I think we'll see 2 CMs (any of Paulinho, Dembele and maybe Capoue too) and 2 CBs (Kaboul and Chiriches) leave with a mix of permanent and loan outgoings, and one player in each of those positions will come in permanently. We also need a striker and a right sided midfielder, and could do with a backup 10 and a left sided midfielder that Pochettino will actually use too (although actually playing Lamela behind the striker when we don't play 2 together and Eriksen isn't playing could be a good wheeze) and whether we get any of those depends on who is available and how much money we have to spend after outgoings and spendings on more important positions like CM, CB and striker, in that order. The problem is that we really need to be buying players for now, not players for 2 or 3 years time, and that could get expensive for us.
Barkley's a fantastic talent, but he's had a few injuries, he's being eyed by richer clubs and he's developing well at Everton. Won't happen. Not sure how Bony's inconsistent, as he's scored more than anyone else this year (2014) and he looks good in games even when he doesn't put the ball in the net. Big, fairly quick, strong, powerful shot, aerial presence, gets involved in the buildup... hard to see what he does wrong, from a distance. He'd be expensive, he'll be on the radar of a few of the other Premier League sides (Liverpool? Arsenal?) and he's off to the ACON, too. Hmm...
there are some rumours doing the rounds that Eriksen is looking to leave...with Liverpool preparing a bid <luagh> don't you just love the transfer window, lazy journalists and the internet
He was reportedly available for £24mil in the summer. I would have loved for us to sign him. Yes, it's a lot of money, but not for a striker who bangs then in regularly. Compared to the money we've already pissed up the wall on overpriced averageness, he's a bargain.
I'm not a Barkley fan, and don't see why everyone else is so excited. He does something nifty from time to time and loses the ball far too often. He could develop into a very good player, but he's exactly the sort of player Spurs should not spend on: not good enough to start right now, and in need of more PL experience. I think he realizes Spurs aren't the club for him as well, for that matter. Bony would be very tempting, but I'd worry he'd take playing time away from Kane. It might be worth the risk, though. A strikeforce of Kane and Bony might be a huge asset.
He's the highest scorer in the Prem in the 2014 calendar year. What about Kane's goals against Swansea, Hull, Villa, Asteras, Besiktas, Brighton, Forest, Limassol? Or the assist against West Ham, or for his driving runs and hard work against Everton which helped contribute to both goals? If Bony is inconsistent then only Aguero or Costa would be good enough.
Adebayor being linked with a couple of Qatari clubs in a move that works out very well for him - he'll make a nice pile of money in wages while he's there, and eighteen months later when a Premier League/La Liga/Serie A/Bundesliga/Ligue 1 club comes calling he'll have a reason to think he has to prove doubters wrong so will score a glut of goals quickly (before invariably going off the boil a season later)
