January 2023 Transfer Rumours, Discussions and Done Deals Thread

[Risso]

Does Emery have an identifiable ‘type’ when signing players?  for example smith seemed okay with the ‘young and hungry’ type whereas Gerrard and Bruce seemed to prefer more established players.

Whilst the club appears to have jettisoned the ‘tactics thread’ that runs through true club I think a strategy of buying players that can be improved (and occasionally sold) is key to us closing the gap with the more established Big 6.

I think the only way to do that properly is to do what we're doing and hoover up talent when they're 17/18 or younger. It's much harder to buy 23 year olds and make a profit, as by then if they're any good they're costing you a fortune anyway. Thankfully all of that stuff has been going on in the background during the last two managers' reigns, and I'm sure it will under Emery.

[Dante Lavelli]

I hope the kids thing continues, however I still think there’s value in buying more established players in their early twenties that have aspirations to pass through the club.  Leicester did this well for a spell with Tielemans, Castangne, Justin and Fofana and hopefully we do too with Kamara.

There was chat about Brighton on a podcast and their philosophy is players can ‘outgrow’ the club and be sold but on the condition “they leave through the front door” i.e. it is not a surprise and the money is right.  I think we should adopt a similar policy but with genuinely giant clubs as the next step.

[Risso]

Fofana was 19 when he signed for Leicester, and cost about £35m. Obviously they've made a big profit, but it was a huge amount at the time.

[Dante Lavelli]

Fofana was 19 when he signed for Leicester, and cost about £35m. Obviously they've made a big profit, but it was a huge amount at the time.

Yeah, that’s the model I’d prefer us to follow, spend that amount on a player with potential than spend (slightly less) on Digne but know he’s a depreciating asset regardless of his form.

[PaulWinch again]

The thing is it’s not a binary thing. You should spend on the right potential and also players who improve us now.

[Dante Lavelli]

It’s not binary but funds are finite. An approx allocation of the budget should in the back of the stakeholders’ minds and adjusted as players are sold etc.

[PaulWinch again]

Yes but like anything you can’t ignore the present to plan for the future. Finding that balance is key.

[Smithy]

I hope the kids thing continues, however I still think there’s value in buying more established players in their early twenties that have aspirations to pass through the club.  Leicester did this well for a spell with Tielemans, Castangne, Justin and Fofana and hopefully we do too with Kamara.

There was chat about Brighton on a podcast and their philosophy is players can ‘outgrow’ the club and be sold but on the condition “they leave through the front door” i.e. it is not a surprise and the money is right.  I think we should adopt a similar policy but with genuinely giant clubs as the next step.

I think our emphasis on a thriving youth programme will certainly continue - IF the young players are good enough.  During his time at Arsenal, Emergy gave first-team debuts to Martinelli, Saka and Smith-Rowe. They were all 17/18 at the time. He's not afraid to play youngsters if they're good enough - and I think some of ours are.  Admittedly, Arsenal had some easier European games in which to blood those three (and others) as kids, but he was still willing to throw them in.

[dave shelley]

If what I saw from Iroegbunam and Ramsay A last night if the majority of the hopefuls develop the same way we have a lot to look forward to.

[exigo]

If what I saw from Iroegbunam and Ramsay A last night if the majority of the hopefuls develop the same way we have a lot to look forward to.

I groundhopped at Cardiff last night and Jaden Philogene put in a good shift. Tracked back well to cover his right back, but also went on a few marauding runs where he got a shot away that needed a good save to keep out.
His lack of height was a bit of an issue, particularly against a big Watford side, but with good players around him (certainly better than Cardiff could offer) he'll be an asset.

[eamonn]

Speaking of Watford, is Keinan really crocked again? It's beyond a joke at this stage.

[Steve67]

Did we sign Diego Carlos from Unai?

[Dante Lavelli]

BBC gossip column linking us with Pau Torres. Predictable but a good player and would help the transition to Emery-ball (whatever that is). 

[AlexAlexCropley]

I see Messi may move next season. Inter Miami or Barca are suitors.( When did Busquets land at Miami?) Maybe Emi M can have a word in his shell-like.

[Axl Rose]

Did we sign Diego Carlos from Unai?

I asked a similar question recently mate.

The answer is no 😂