Libor Kozák (confirmed post #190)

[Simba]

Hmmm. What concerns is that PL did all his business very early, unusual for us and impressive. This late bid for a big striker obviously brings concerns about Benteke and his immediate future (?). Or is that really done and dusted.

Still, we do need injury cover and the Prem will work Benteke out, so it's another option maybe.

I still think we need a nasty, leader, fighter type player in midfield. We have been too nice for years now. BTW good luck to wee BB.

[Duncan Shaw]

He probably deems Albrighton and Bowery as not up to it, Helenius and Tonev as back up for Gabby and Weimann and therefore needs a back up for Benteke.

The  quotes H. hodgson put out from his faulkner chat suggested the signing would have a first team impact and make a difference , a back up reserve striker for around £7m doesn't fit into that bracket .

He may well be a good signing but i would have liked an attacking midfielder for a similar price who could make a bigger difference.

Who's saying this fella is a back-up for anyone? If he's an international and has a good scoring record in the Europa then I'd like to think he'll be playing regularly; perhaps Weimann's slot is under threat from Kozak.
I believe we have some great options up front; I'd like to see some more options when not in control of the ball

He will have a first team impact, he'll be replacing Benteke when we get our 10pm monster bid and the difference he'll make to the balance sheet is about £33 million!!

[PeterWithesShin]

Just like Benteke, he will be the new Bosko Balaban. You'd really think some folks would have learnt from what some said about Benteke a year ago that it is very daft to write off a player before he has had a chance.

Usually.

Of course, but we all knew plenty about him as he was about 28 when he signed and had played in this country his whole career. I'm willing to bet some of those doubting Kozak haven't seen him play more than a few times, if that. I've certainly never seen him play that I know of.

[eastie]

We're paying nowhere near 7m for Kozak, closer to 4m tops.

I think 9m euros was the fee quoted on a lazio website earlier which may well be where nursey and kendrick are getting the fee from .

[PeterWithesShin]

We're paying nowhere near 7m for Kozak, closer to 4m tops.

I said the same a few pages back, but I went for £5m tops.

[TheEgo]

We're paying nowhere near 7m for Kozak, closer to 4m tops.

I think 9m euros was the fee quoted on a lazio website earlier which may well be where nursey and kendrick are getting the fee from .

7 million euros at best. Cover/competition for Benteke, good business IMO

[paul_e]

We're paying nowhere near 7m for Kozak, closer to 4m tops.

I think 9m euros was the fee quoted on a lazio website earlier which may well be where nursey and kendrick are getting the fee from .

As a rule of thumb the selling club will always include all potential bonus payments in the fee.  The initial fee will be a lot lower than that I'm sure.

[PeterWithesShin]

Lambert doesn't strike me as a panic buy manager. What I think he is doing is building a squad of players with the long term in mind. That may mean that if the player he wants for a certain role (the mystical #10 for example) isn't available, or available at the right price he will wait. Frustrating for us right now but for long have we complained about the lack of a squad and competition for places?

Considering our squad and where we were, and more importantly what the possible future was if things didn't change fast, when the final whistle blew at Carrow Road 16 months or so ago, i'm absolutely delighted with where we are right now and what we have.

[olaftab]

Any pictures from BMH?

[PeterWithesShin]

Any pictures from BMH?

I doubt there will be any until he has officially signed.

[Monty]

Well obviously we'll give the lad our support and hope for the best, but the instinct is that this looks a bit profligate.

[cdbearsfan]

Has Archie been on to give us his verdict yet?

[rob_bridge]

Lambert doesn't strike me as a panic buy manager. What I think he is doing is building a squad of players with the long term in mind. That may mean that if the player he wants for a certain role (the mystical #10 for example) isn't available, or available at the right price he will wait. Frustrating for us right now but for long have we complained about the lack of a squad and competition for places?

Considering our squad and where we were, and more importantly what the possible future was if things didn't change fast, when the final whistle blew at Carrow Road 16 months or so ago, i'm absolutely delighted with where we are right now and what we have.

Agree - we have had a very good 6-7 months, even if the first 8 months (January especially) of PL's reign were amongst the most painful of the last 25 years.

[eamonn]

Maybe we're not looking at an attacking midfielder because Grealish is more in Lamberts plans than we think?  He's certainly got the skills we need in there.

There are carr-others.

Not at the club right now though.

Spoilsport.

[Monty]

If it really is £7m, well, that would equal his previous highest transfer which was also on a big striker...but at 24, with a slightly Heskeyish record, is this really the best - and most required positionally - we could have got for that money? I have to say, extremely sceptical about this.