The January New Manager Warchest Transfer Thread

[Dave P]

Does he have a Big I Am agent that's stirring things? Some media-savvy Sky Andrew/Steve Kutner type.

His agent is Sky Andrew I believe.

[Smithy]

If he goes, he goes. I'll be disappointed, because there's nothing better than a youth product coming into the side and doing well. I'd prefer him to stay and become a regular like Ramsey, but if he wants to go, so be it.

But, for the first time I can remember, it seems like we're developing a production line behind him, so hopefully the next one won't be too far behind.

Every successful club loses good young players at some point. So will we.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Attacking wise we're covered and we're overloaded on left backs now especially if Young is considered a cover for that position also.
Midfield is where we're lacking. We were short in the summer and we still are. McGinn, Luiz and Ramsey are too similar and not good enough to cover the fbs or cbs in the system our manager wants to play. They all much prefer to play further forward and all are prone to defensive mistakes or lapses in concentration.
Whatever else we do in this transfer window I hope the midfield issues are going to be addressed starting with a player of note in the dm role.

[sid1964]

Listened to  podcast with Gregg Evans - he reckons that we won't be signing a DM in the January window - we will wait until the summer to look to see who is available

[sickbeggar]

Well we've been linked to Bissouma by the Torygrapth. Seem an odd one given his "issues" and the cost.  Not buying a DM now would be bizarre unless they've totally given up on a European place

[chrisw1]

Ramsey is a good example, he was given an opportunity in short spells to see what he had to offer then when given a start took his chance and is now an ever present, I have not seen the same from chuk, in the limited time he's been given i have not seen a player that says I'm too good to be left out rather I have seen a young player that is short on pace. Hope he proves me wrong.

I disagree, I think the cameos ftom Ramsey last season were about the same as we've seen from Chuk and had just as many people questioning him. Take away the contract uncertainty and I'd like to see him get 7-8 more appearances this year, including a start or 2. Then see how he responds over the summer, Ramsey showed how important that stage is because he came back 'a man'.

I agree Paul

I agree Ian.

I agree E.

His agent is trying to hold us to ransom when he is just not quite ready yet.

[Beard82]

I think that they want - Bissouma and are making noise now to try and get it lined up for the summer where there hoping is issues will be resolved.

I think they are struggling to find someone who can play that cdm who is an upgrade on Nakamba - and are keeping there powder dry for then

[chrisw1]

Listened to  podcast with Gregg Evans - he reckons that we won't be signing a DM in the January window - we will wait until the summer to look to see who is available

oh FFS.

[Richard]

Well we've been linked to Bissouma by the Torygrapth. Seem an odd one given his "issues" and the cost.  Not buying a DM now would be bizarre unless they've totally given up on a European place

Its not bizarre at all, if there is not the right one available now then Id rather wait until summer.

[VILLA MOLE]

Well we've been linked to Bissouma by the Torygrapth. Seem an odd one given his "issues" and the cost.  Not buying a DM now would be bizarre unless they've totally given up on a European place

Its not bizarre at all, if there is not the right one available now then Id rather wait until summer.

Yes we dont want to sign a 50 million pound player who ends up in Prison


 

[sickbeggar]

Well we've been linked to Bissouma by the Torygrapth. Seem an odd one given his "issues" and the cost.  Not buying a DM now would be bizarre unless they've totally given up on a European place

Its not bizarre at all, if there is not the right one available now then Id rather wait until summer.

It is in the context of buying Countinho/Digbe and still not sorting the same problem that got Smith sacked.

[chrisw1]

We won't get Bissouma in the summer, top 4 clubs will be queing up for him.

I'm not saying I want us to sign him if the assualt issue isn't resolved, more just I hoped that if we were showing serious interest we must have an inside track on the legal position and confident there was nothing in it.  Our chance of getting him was by stealing a march this window when other clubs are less active.  If it goes to the summer he'll be able to pick his club and I've heard he wants top-4.

[ASHTONVILLA]

We won't get Bissouma in the summer, top 4 clubs will be queing up for him.

I'm not saying I want us to sign him if the assualt issue isn't resolved, more just I hoped that if we were showing serious interest we must have an inside track on the legal position and confident there was nothing in it.  Our chance of getting him was by stealing a march this window when other clubs are less active.  If it goes to the summer he'll be able to pick his club and I've heard he wants top-4.

Agree

My thinking was that we may be the only club prepared to pay now, before the legal issue is sorted out hence the links.

That said I am not at all sure I want to sign anyone that might be responsible for that. What if he was later found guilty, would have a hard time cheering him then.

For the DM I would try for a short term loan of an older experienced player that is warming a bench at a big club in Europe (no idea who but there must be one), then address it permanently in the summer window. They do not have to be a great player to make the team function better - look at how much better we were when Nakamba was in the team. Mediocre will still improve us.

[mrfuse]

Well we've been linked to Bissouma by the Torygrapth. Seem an odd one given his "issues" and the cost.  Not buying a DM now would be bizarre unless they've totally given up on a European place

I agree its a position we definitely need to fill, but if we cannot find the exact player we want in this window then it would be prudent to wait until we can get that player.

[Brazilian Villain]

We won't get Bissouma in the summer, top 4 clubs will be queing up for him.

I'm not saying I want us to sign him if the assualt issue isn't resolved, more just I hoped that if we were showing serious interest we must have an inside track on the legal position and confident there was nothing in it.  Our chance of getting him was by stealing a march this window when other clubs are less active.  If it goes to the summer he'll be able to pick his club and I've heard he wants top-4.

Agree 100%. If we really want Bissouma we'll likely have to pay over the odds now, say 50m, and take the risk wrt the case. If, as Chris says, we wait till the summer Liverpool or Arsenal will be in for him at 35-40m. He seems to be exactly what we need so just need to see how badly we want him.