2023 Summer transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[john e]

I’d be a bit disappointed if we were in for Tammy Abraham he’s just too similar to Watkins and I think we need different options

I know people will say we’re not in a good enough position to turn down the likes of Tammy Abraham but we wouldn’t really be saying that just choosing to go elsewhere

[curiousorange]

Genuinely forgotten all about Sanson.

[Risso]

The links to Nico Williams seemed quite strong, would he not be an option in the summer?

Not sure they were stronger than to anyone else we were randomly linked with.

A random journalist with no history of reporting on  Villa saying we were going to meet his buy-out clause but he didn't want to come.

Any nobody else picking up the story apart from the usual clickbait places.

I don't recall the specifics but I remember that Tom Collomosse bloke mentioning it. Isn't he a bit more reliable?

[brontebilly]

Someone I reckon we might be interested in that would fit the profile - Dani Olmo at Leipzig.

Only 24, would play that Buendia / Ramsey role, has done well at pretty much every step up, loads of Champions League and international experience. Effectively the first name on the team sheet for Spain these days.

But probably not quite sexy enough for the teams above us. Only a year left on his contract too.

That's a good shout, he will have plenty of offers this summer.

[Sexual Ealing]

Eighth-favourites to sign Lionel Messi, Argentinian No. 10 at PSG. Good player, but I'm not sure he fits the profile we're after

https://twitter.com/lmechegaray/status/1653918288127066115

[VinnieChase84]

Expect some Spanish league incomings
One exciting link i've seen is that Fresneda from Valladolid

[Mister E]

Perhaps Alemany's rumoured arrival will indeed presage the arrival of Raphinha as our much-needed wide man ...

[Dave P]

Eighth-favourites to sign Lionel Messi, Argentinian No. 10 at PSG. Good player, but I'm not sure he fits the profile we're after

https://twitter.com/lmechegaray/status/1653918288127066115

I might get that image on a T-shirt.

[LeeB]

We should go and get Rafael Leao from Milan

[tomd2103]

Don't we already have the "a bit similar to Ollie, not sure if they can play together" player in Archer?

The trouble is, I don't think anybody other than Emery really knows what his long term plan looks like. He's getting the absolute maximum out of the squad at the moment, with his 4-4-2 consisting of Ramsey and McGinn out wide, and either Bailey or Buendia as the number 10 next to/behind Watkins. Given the chance to add 3-4 of his own players, what's that going to look like next season? More natural width from the wide midfielders? Another similar player next to Watkins, or somebody with more pace?

Exciting times anyway, especially if we get this Barcelona dude in.

I think we definitely need some back up options for McGinn and Ramsey as we currently don't have anyone else who can play those roles really.  Funnily enough, I think it would suit Sanson, but don't know if that bloke has just gone too far now.

I think he will look at bringing a right-back in, a wide player who is an upgrade on Bailey and Traore, a 'number 10' style player and competition for Watkins up front.

[paul_e]

Don't we already have the "a bit similar to Ollie, not sure if they can play together" player in Archer?

The trouble is, I don't think anybody other than Emery really knows what his long term plan looks like. He's getting the absolute maximum out of the squad at the moment, with his 4-4-2 consisting of Ramsey and McGinn out wide, and either Bailey or Buendia as the number 10 next to/behind Watkins. Given the chance to add 3-4 of his own players, what's that going to look like next season? More natural width from the wide midfielders? Another similar player next to Watkins, or somebody with more pace?

Exciting times anyway, especially if we get this Barcelona dude in.

I think we definitely need some back up options for McGinn and Ramsey as we currently don't have anyone else who can play those roles really.  Funnily enough, I think it would suit Sanson, but don't know if that bloke has just gone too far now.

I think he will look at bringing a right-back in, a wide player who is an upgrade on Bailey and Traore, a 'number 10' style player and competition for Watkins up front.

I suspect those 3 roles might be covered by 1 or 2 signings. Emery likes a fairly small squad and likes players with a bit of versatility.

[Monty]

Don't we already have the "a bit similar to Ollie, not sure if they can play together" player in Archer?

The trouble is, I don't think anybody other than Emery really knows what his long term plan looks like. He's getting the absolute maximum out of the squad at the moment, with his 4-4-2 consisting of Ramsey and McGinn out wide, and either Bailey or Buendia as the number 10 next to/behind Watkins. Given the chance to add 3-4 of his own players, what's that going to look like next season? More natural width from the wide midfielders? Another similar player next to Watkins, or somebody with more pace?

Exciting times anyway, especially if we get this Barcelona dude in.

I think we definitely need some back up options for McGinn and Ramsey as we currently don't have anyone else who can play those roles really.  Funnily enough, I think it would suit Sanson, but don't know if that bloke has just gone too far now.

I think he will look at bringing a right-back in, a wide player who is an upgrade on Bailey and Traore, a 'number 10' style player and competition for Watkins up front.

I suspect those 3 roles might be covered by 1 or 2 signings. Emery likes a fairly small squad and likes players with a bit of versatility.

Agreed, you can see already that he likes it when players can switch up their roles, like McGinn going wide right or in one of the deeper central roles or Buendia going from wide right to second striker.

[eamonn]

Genuinely forgotten all about Sanson.

He's doing well on-loan at Strasbourg by all accounts. I can see him returning and hanging around if we make Europe. We've needed more midfield options in recent weeks, we'll need even more if we're playing Thu-Sun-Thu.

[Steve67]

Kessie, Christiansen and Williams being linked. Not sure about Christiansen but yes please to the other two.

[SoccerHQ]

Watched a bit of Valencia-Villareal last night. Pau Torres is class at the back. Superb reading of the game, decent heading and he can play out no problem.

I think that's the calibre we can make a play for if we qualify for europe. Much harder if we don't as he's previously turned down likes of Spurs and Villareal are comfortable in 5th now and still have outside chance of making 4th.

Our defensive record bar that little spell in February when we were leaking goals has been outstanding under Emery. We'll probably end up with 4th or 5th defence in the league so makes sense to add another top quality CB just in case of injuries next season.