January 2023 Transfer Rumours, Discussions and Done Deals Thread

[dave.woodhall]

We can probably cope with more than one deal at the same time, and I can't see how, unless you're Manchester City, a £100 million player doesn't improve your team. 

[chrisw1]

Of course he improves the team.  The question is is it the best use of funds when we have a finate budget and lots of areas that need improvement?

I'm making a leap here that if we do have money to spend, it's not going to be more than £100m, probably somewhat less.  I just can't see us spending it all on one player and if we did, I'm not sure it would be the wisest move with our current squad. 

I also don't think he'd come.  But that's a different point.

[Drummond]

If we're in for him, and I'd question that, it shows the intent, if it hadn't been shown already, that we're done with slowly, slowly and we're getting into top gear quickly. Felix and Torres would already improve us by a big margin.

[chrisw1]

Oh, and if you want to see how a £100m player doesn't improve your team - look at Coutinho.  (Yeah, I know.  But even so...)

[Smithy]

We can probably cope with more than one deal at the same time, and I can't see how, unless you're Manchester City, a £100 million player doesn't improve your team. 

I don't think there is any doubt he would improve us.  He's obviously a talent, a potentially world-class one.  The question is more that if we DO have that sort of money to spend, would the team be better off with two or three additions in the 20-40m bracket, than just him?

I can't wait for the day when our squad is so good it just requires the odd superstar to top it up, but I think we've got a way to go before then.

But hey, it's not my money, and maybe I'm worrying about the amounts we can spend unnecessarily, so if the club and new management want him, and he's available, bring it on!

[chrisw1]

That's essentially where I'm at Smithy.  I'd love him to come, but our squad needs more work that that.  It's the sort of signing you can make when you've already got a great squad.

[Drummond]

I'm not sure we need a few in the £20-£40m bracket. We've a bunch of them already. Plus, if you can get the £100m man, he'll attract others.

[Dogtanian]

If he'd come, I'd take it. The sensible thing would be to spread the money, but he would make an impact.

Besides, we still have a Chuckwuemeka to flog to Chelsea for silly money as an offset!

[dave.woodhall]

What does £20 million get you that we haven't already got?

[Paul.S]

I’m probably one of the very few who hasn’t got a clue if this player is worth £100m or £100. Can’t see us spending the former but I’m happy to sit back and let Emery and the owners do their stuff.
I’ve huge confidence in all of them and for once I believe whoever we buy has a plan behind it.

[Smithy]

I'm not sure we need a few in the £20-£40m bracket. We've a bunch of them already. Plus, if you can get the £100m man, he'll attract others.

I would argue our team could benefit more from having a new central defender who is also decent on the ball, a midfield upgrade for McGinn, and a better centre-forward - all ahead of one £100m superstar.  Any or all of those could be players in the £20-50m range, depending on where we get them from.

I'm not saying I don't want Felix - we had a £100m mercurial superstar in our team, and I absolutely loved it. Some of my favourite Villa memories of the last thirty years involve him.  But if it WAS my money, I think I'd spend it elsewhere first.

[LeeB]

I'm not sure we need a few in the £20-£40m bracket. We've a bunch of them already. Plus, if you can get the £100m man, he'll attract others.

I would argue our team could benefit more from having a new central defender who is also decent on the ball, a midfield upgrade for McGinn, and a better centre-forward - all ahead of one £100m superstar.  Any or all of those could be players in the £20-50m range, depending on where we get them from.

I'm not saying I don't want Felix - we had a £100m mercurial superstar in our team, and I absolutely loved it. Some of my favourite Villa memories of the last thirty years involve him.  But if it WAS my money, I think I'd spend it elsewhere first.

I think the fact we already have a mecurial £100+ superstar that we need to work out how to use is making me indifferent to it.

[olaftab]

Joao Felix was very anonymous in a tough game against Morocco. Was he playing? PL is a rough hustle and bustle environment and players need to be tough or they quickly start hiding on the pitch.

[olaftab]

I'm not sure we need a few in the £20-£40m bracket. We've a bunch of them already. Plus, if you can get the £100m man, he'll attract others.

Yes, but then you can't sign any similar players for a season or two due to either affordability or FFP.

[Smithy]

What does £20 million get you that we haven't already got?

I'm not sure £20m gets you much better than we have (unless you are extremely lucky). £30-40m might though. Zinchenko was £30m, Jesus £45m. But it's not easy. Newcastle spent £65m on Isak, West Ham spent £50m on Paqueta. Liverpool spent £85m on Nunez. Big players cost big money, especially forwards, so maybe it is time we bought one?  I just feel Felix-style money could be better spent elsewhere.