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

[brontebilly]

Central defence as it currently stands, along with the addition of Tielemans to midfield were in my opinion our strongest areas and not priorities

Priorities were

Back up keeper - no links at all which is worrying

RB - Assume we must have something up our sleeve as we were so quick to let Young go

New 10 - Was strongly linked to ascensio (sp) but he chose RM

Wide attacker - Nico Williams - chose Chelsea, Linked with Barnes - not a lot else going on

Backup keeper is a tricky one. Olsen obviously nowhere near good enough but replacement has to be able to play the way Emery wants, comfortable with ball at his feet and sweeping up behind a high defensive line. I think we need to be brave enough here and guarantee the backup keeper all cup games (should be plenty) and obviously maybe the occasional PL game if Martinez unavailable. Likely a younger keeper keen to progress.

The two young Irish keeper would be decent backup options I think, Bazunu had a very tough year at Soton but can definitely come good again elsewhere, very good with ball at his feet, Kelliher has told Pool he is leaving this summer but maybe Europa league football could convince him.

RB - tough one but I think Cash has a lot of impressing to do with Emery to nail down that spot.  Big priority position to fill, Konsa or Chambers out there is not an option.

Attacking players - surprised not to see stronger links here both incoming and outgoing. Asensio I doubt was ever realistic.

[LeeB]

Central defence as it currently stands, along with the addition of Tielemans to midfield were in my opinion our strongest areas and not priorities

Priorities were

Back up keeper - no links at all which is worrying

RB - Assume we must have something up our sleeve as we were so quick to let Young go

New 10 - Was strongly linked to ascensio (sp) but he chose RM

Wide attacker - Nico Williams - chose Chelsea, Linked with Barnes - not a lot else going on

We don't have to sign people in order of priority though, as long as we sign them. These deals have been perhaps easier to complete, certainly to Tielemans as there was no club to deal with, and Torres had a release clause meaning he was always available at a certain price, but others may just take more work

[Rudy Can't Fail]

So does his name mean Cock Bull?

Only if you're mixing Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish. Keep it in Brazilian Portuguese and you have Cock Towers.

[Matt C]

I said not long after Emery came in that he would do all he could to get Torres!

As things stand, looks like he’s got his man

Remember you calling that one.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I said not long after Emery came in that he would do all he could to get Torres!

As things stand, looks like he’s got his man

Remember you calling that one.

Yup, great shout Vinnie.

[Hookeysmith]

Central defence as it currently stands, along with the addition of Tielemans to midfield were in my opinion our strongest areas and not priorities

Priorities were

Back up keeper - no links at all which is worrying

RB - Assume we must have something up our sleeve as we were so quick to let Young go

New 10 - Was strongly linked to ascensio (sp) but he chose RM

Wide attacker - Nico Williams - chose Chelsea, Linked with Barnes - not a lot else going on

Williams chose Chelsea?

Nope, confusion with Nico Jackson.

Yes confused - sorry

[ADVILLAFAN]

So does his name mean Cock Bull?

Only if you're mixing Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish. Keep it in Brazilian Portuguese and you have Cock Towers.

Cock Towers. Wow, his Missus must be happy

[AV84]

Is Torres the kind of signing that could open the floodgates, so to speak, on other "big" signings considering Villa in a different light? I know Emery is an attraction in himself, but ultimately the likes of Chelsea, City etc. are still going to look like more attractive places to a lot of players.

If there's a player, let's say Gonçalves, who looks at the idea we're interested, and thinks sure, it sounds good on paper, but maybe I'll hold out to see if someone else comes in for me. Whereas now, maybe, seeing someone like Torres has already bought into the club's vision, we might start looking slightly more attractive in this window.

Just a thought. I know Emery wanted him from day 1, but maybe the idea of getting him in as priority could be so we can use him as bait.

[LeeB]

Yeah, it certainly doesn't hurt our profile to potential recruits

[Steve67]

Does this change our flat back four?

[LeeB]

Does this change our flat back four?

Fuck no!

[VinnieChase84]

Huge coup. Could easily be the first big big player who can entice others. Emery has some very ambitious targets this summer

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If there's a player, let's say Gonçalves, who looks at the idea we're interested, and thinks sure, it sounds good on paper, but maybe I'll hold out to see if someone else comes in for me. Whereas now, maybe, seeing someone like Torres has already bought into the club's vision, we might start looking slightly more attractive in this window.

Just a thought. I know Emery wanted him from day 1, but maybe the idea of getting him in as priority could be so we can use him as bait.

Welcome. I agree with the above and note that only today Sporting have announced to the Portuguese Stock Exchange that they've bought an additional 40% of Pote's rights, as they are legally bound as a listed company. I'm wondering if with all the legal in place Sporting are now in a position to sell. Of course they're still quoting his €80m buy out clause but as we see on a daily basis, buy out clauses don't mean there's not a deal to be done.

[Dogtanian]

Yeah, it certainly doesn't hurt our profile to potential recruits

Looking at the FIFA international rankings, we now have players in and around the squads of five of the top seven teams. If Luiz keeps progressing, you can imagine he could make it six.

We're definitely raising our profile.

[Axl Rose]

Central defence as it currently stands, along with the addition of Tielemans to midfield were in my opinion our strongest areas and not priorities

Priorities were

Back up keeper - no links at all which is worrying

RB - Assume we must have something up our sleeve as we were so quick to let Young go

New 10 - Was strongly linked to ascensio (sp) but he chose RM

Wide attacker - Nico Williams - chose Chelsea, Linked with Barnes - not a lot else going on

Williams chose Chelsea?

Nope, confusion with Nico Jackson.

Yes confused - sorry

No problem, mate!