Here's a deal that would make a lot of sense, if it were ever proposed:
* Sunderland were one of the clubs looking at Townsend in the summer, and he's likely to be leaving soon
* Sunderland are supposedly open to offers for Defoe in January
Cash + Defoe for Townsend?
At the very least, Kane will have some actual backup, Defoe's experienced enough to help out with the youngsters, and the move wouldn't affect our HG quota at all.
I'd take Defoe back all day long, never wanted him to leave the first or second time, even at 33 he's still dangerous and an ideal player to bring off the bench when chasing a goal. The 18 shirt is free again too
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It'd be a shame to see Andros go because despite is inconsistency and poor decision making, there IS a very good player in there somewhere that just needs someone to make him realise it, being an academy lad too it's never nice seeing "one of your own" go but his chances here are bleak to say the least, the spat with Nathan Gardiner was somewhat hitting one of the penultimate nails in his coffin too.
In terms of other deals, I think Fazio is as good as gone. Carter-Vickers getting the call to travel with the squad shows you how much faith Poch now has in him, after a disappointing debut season he got a chance to impress in the League Cup this year and still looked as error-prone as ever.
I think Carroll may look for a move, it's a shame because he really isn't a bad little player but with the ages and the form of the guys that are above him in the pecking order, he'll never really be able to cement a place in the side. A bottom half Prem team would definitely see him as an appealing option to have, he needs first team football if he wants to push on with his career.
I can also see Pritch leaving on loan, a huge shame because this was looking like his year to make the real breakthrough but the injury from the Euro's has really ****ed his season, reports reckon he won't be available til Jan, taking into consideration the fitness levels Poch requires from his players, he probably wouldn't be fit enough until mid-Feb and it won't be ideal for him or us to have him picking up just the odd 10-15 minutes here and there to help build his fitness before he's ready for a start. A loan in Jan to a side that'll give him regular time will be ideal, whether it be Prem or maybe somewhere abroad like the Eredivisie.
Loans for McGee, Winks and Walker-Peters should also be options.
Incomings I'd take an ageing CB, someone who'll play back up to Toby and Jan but can come in and partner Wimmer when needed while keeping the first choice two on their toes, ironically someone like Daws would be perfect right now. If Defoe became a genuine possibility I think the club should definitely look at it, though realistically I just can't see it happening, so a striker of some sort has to be the priority. Austin for less than £10m would be great business, Depoitre of Gent continues to get linked as does Pato, if the club feels any of them are worthwhile options for competition and back up for Kane then I'm all for it.
