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

[Risso]

And it's back!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I just can’t see that unless we shift Bert and Bailey who’ve both played CF at a high level.

I think Archer is the first reserve now and starter for cup matches.

My concern is Watkins is still feast or famine. I worry that he can't further improve to the level we now require. Then there's how he can adapt from being a dangerous striker when we counter attack to how I expect us to develop, where we sit in the opposition half and teams park the bus. Technically I'm not convinced his control is good enough, maybe it's something Emery and his team can work on but it's a big ask. It's going to be a very big season for him.

Archer has all the credentials to hit the ground running but it's still an unknown. I really hope he can do it, I can't wait to see him try but again it's a massive ask especially if we were to lose Watkins for any period of time. Obviously the rest of the team have a responsibility to chip in with the goals but right now I'd be far happier with us spending big on a top striker.

Maybe we'll have to wait until January as you rightly point out, we've already spent a lot and we need to bring in some decent money from sales if we're to keep improving the team.

[pauliewalnuts]

We absolutely need another striker - no doubt about that.

[coreyfeldman]

We're not done yet lads, calm down

[olaftab]

Is Diaby really quality? I say this because prior to our interest in him no one was talking about him either on here or elsewhere in the media.

Yes they were. There have been reports linking him to all of Man Utd, Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG and many others in the last six months or so.

Most reports are obviously nonsense. But the nonsense reports were suggesting he'd be signing for a club higher up the food chain than us.

Is Diaby really quality? I say this because prior to our interest in him no one was talking about him either on here or elsewhere in the media.

Averages a goal or assist every other game over his career so generally good stats. considering where he's played.

Thanks both. Let's hope he doesn't require the usual full season to get up to speed like most players coming to PL from abroad do.

[AV84]

There's no new links to get excited about but then again I don't think Diaby emerged until after Torres officially signed, so plenty of time for more excitement.

[Footy-Vill]

Chukwueze is going to Milan from Villareal.
Interesting this is happening same time as Diaby news to Villa

[Footy-Vill]

There's no new links to get excited about but then again I don't think Diaby emerged until after Torres officially signed, so plenty of time for more excitement.

When I read that I thought meant Ferran! I jumped off my recliner! They sat back down. Though Pau Torres is a great move.

[villadelph]

Torres, Tielemans and Diaby for ~65m is great business in this day and age.

[RamboandBruno]

I just can’t see that unless we shift Bert and Bailey who’ve both played CF at a high level.

I think Archer is the first reserve now and starter for cup matches.
[/quote


My concern is Watkins is still feast or famine. I worry that he can't further improve to the level we now require. Then there's how he can adapt from being a dangerous striker when we counter attack to how I expect us to develop, where we sit in the opposition half and teams park the bus. Technically I'm not convinced his control is good enough, maybe it's something Emery and his team can work on but it's a big ask. It's going to be a very big season for him.

Archer has all the credentials to hit the ground running but it's still an unknown. I really hope he can do it, I can't wait to see him try but again it's a massive ask especially if we were to lose Watkins for any period of time. Obviously the rest of the team have a responsibility to chip in with the goals but right now I'd be far happier with us spending big on a top striker.

Maybe we'll have to wait until January as you rightly point out, we've already spent a lot and we need to bring in some decent money from sales if we're to keep improving the team.

I totally get that Ollie has his flaws, but I think Haaland, Kane, Salah, Rushford are better albeit with different skill sets, then for me it's Watkins and Toney.

I think we need more support amd competition for him but I think replacing Watkins would not be as easy as all that. I think we probably have more of a gold nugget that we realise.

[Footy-Vill]

Torres, Tielemans and Diaby for ~65m is great business in this day and age.

Torres! Heart skips a beat! As being fooled into Ferran
Then again realise people are referring to Pau!

[Risso]

What on earth are you talking about?

[Toronto Villa]

What on earth are you talking about?

it's like projectile vomit. Just when you think it's stopped there's two more gallons

[coreyfeldman]

Is Diaby really quality? I say this because prior to our interest in him no one was talking about him either on here or elsewhere in the media.

Yes they were. There have been reports linking him to all of Man Utd, Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG and many others in the last six months or so.

Most reports are obviously nonsense. But the nonsense reports were suggesting he'd be signing for a club higher up the food chain than us.

Is Diaby really quality? I say this because prior to our interest in him no one was talking about him either on here or elsewhere in the media.

Averages a goal or assist every other game over his career so generally good stats. considering where he's played.

Thanks both. Let's hope he doesn't require the usual full season to get up to speed like most players coming to PL from abroad do.

That haaland lad looked ok last year, kamara was pretty quickly into it and moreno hasn't taken long either

[lovejoy]

Is it bad news that the Diaby thread has disappeared?

No gun-jumping allowed.

Was it Drummond again?