SA has stated we are looking for four first team players. A right back, Centre back (a little surprised at this one), Attacking midfielder and a striker. Realistically, who would like us to bring in? Striker I'd go for Vincent Janssen at AZ Alkmaar. I seen him live in November and he's a terrific player, still only 21 as well. He's 6ft, well built and is a natural finisher. He seems the exact kind of player that Sam Allardyce would go for. Great age to play under Defoe for a season, before becoming our main striker. Although he has now been called up for the Netherlands, he's still a little under the radar, so we'd probably have to move quick to get him. Attacking midfielder Bit of a wildcard this one, but I'd go for Eran Zahavi at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Sam wants a midfielder who scores goals, then he should look no further than this lad, he's also got the knack of scoring important goals in important games, he's done it throughout his career. Creative player and would sit well in front of Kirchhoff and M'Vila. He went to Palermo earlier on in his career but that didn't really work out, but I'm sure he would be more suited to our league. Centre back I'm assuming this one is to keep Kaboul and Kone on their toes and to step in when Kaboul has his injuries. I'd go for Timm Klose who has just been relegated with Norwich. Whenever I seen him he looked solid and Norwich certainly improved when he came into the team, no question. He reads the game well and is a solid no-nonsense defender. Well within our reach and he would be a solid addition to the squad. Right back Didn't have anybody in mind for this, but yesterday, Billy mentioned that Van Der Wiel is out of contract in the summer. He likes to bomb forward and can deliver a very decent ball into the box, strong lad and although he is suspect to being caught out of position, he has the pace to make up for it and I'm sure Sam would bring his game on, anyway. I'd expect him to go to another Champions league club in the summer, but if we offer enough, you just never know.
There will be much speculation over the close season about transfers but I believe Sam and his team, together with Ellis Short will have already earmarked the players they want and also the very important 'Plan B'.
Would two of the four be M'Vila and Yedlin I wonder, or are the four targeted positions on top of getting these two in. If not then does that mean only two coming in (as well as M'Vila and Yedlin) If it is only another two then they must be top players and not squad players. I think we have a decent first team providing we keep those two. I would also keep Seb and Rodwell. A striker and a CB would give a reasonable bench including Seb and Rodwell, Watmore, Pickford and possibly Lens or Giacc.
Sam said he want's a goal scoring midfielder, I'm guessing that rules M'Vila out for that spot (although we will make his deal permanent)... Our midfield next season will be, Kirchhoff, M'Vila and new signing. I reckon that means at least one of Larsson, Catts or Rodwell, will be going. Giaccherini will also be going. That means we might have Lens here next season, which I didn't expect. Yedlin has just about won me over with his improvement under Sam. If we could get him for 2.5m or less, then I would be happy to have him as competition for right back.
A fully fit Kirchoff with a full pre season under his belt will be a great sight to see, the bloke oozes class.
I think you'll do some more shopping in France, with Sam Allardyce being so well connected with Mark McKay and Excelfoot. One or two out of contract I believe in France. Yoann Gourcuff, out of contract, plenty of experience and knows where the onion bag is. I think he only signed for year with Rennes. Cheikh Diabate, Bordeaux striker, also available on a free. Not the most flattering of careers but he's gonna come cheap and could certainly add depth to your squad. Scored a few this season, Khazri could get him there. Rosicky from Arsenal, a depth of experience in this league, a pass-master and a goal scoring midfielder... free.
I think if he comes, then Borini goes. We'd get about 6m for Borini, but we would have to pay about 14m - 16m for Ayew. Not sure I'd be overjoyed about that.
Gotta disagree here Terry, Rosicky was a class player 10 years ago. He's made of glass nowadays, and not sure about goalscoring midfield.. 10 years at Arsenal. 19 goals. 1.9 goals a season. We need more than that.
Is that all he's scored, I thought he'd scored more than that to be honest. Still, I rate him as a good option for you lot, he played some good stuff last season and the season before, maybe a pay as you play deal... or maybe not!
Edit: Don't forget you had a dabble at Eboue who's not played for about 2 seasons, if Sam thinks there's 'gas in the tank' and he could get him going again, you never know. Edit Edit: I should learn how to edit!
Like I said in my previous post, you can't tell me that since we beat Everton and secured our standing in the Premier League that Sam, his Management Team and Ellis Short haven't talked about future signings. Sam knows his players and knows who is going, who is staying and who he wants to come in. I believe that negotiations are going on now with the prospective signings agents whilst we continue to speculate. Some interesting names cropping up though. Have we any reliable sources on these boards? And I don't mean the bloke at the counter where Sam gets his car filled up.
No and don't let any **** tell you otherwise. If we did we'd be speaking to them and not the pack of ****ers on here.
There's always somebody 'ITK'. My brother's girlfriend works in accounts at the Stadium Of Light and she said she saw a cheque written out for £25m to Borussia Dortmund, she can't remember if it was in the out tray or the shredding pile, so watch this space, if we don't sign anybody from Dortmund, don't shoot the messenger.
Interesting all this. I play golf in rossendale and one of the lads i know is related to mark taylor who i believe is our performance director. Some weeks ago he asked me if i thought sunderland would stay up. We then got on talking about the future and he told me then that Sam had apparently identified targets if we stayed up and also if we went down. He also suggested some of the new additions such as Kone and Kirchoff would not be sold. Whilst I appreciate it may be pie in the sky he is a genuine guy and i for one think he may well have some inside knowledge of note and this summer transfer window may bring some pleasant surprises
I'm not claiming to be 'ITK' but a guy from work does finance for some of the players cars via their agents. He reckons we've already made a bid for Andy Carroll. Again, could be absolute bollocks. (As it happens he hasn't got a great track record of 'ITK' stuff).
