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

[dicedlam]

I think we should keep Coutinho for now and give him another chance, I still there is something there. There we’re definite signs pre season and some nice touches against Newcastle, albeit it was too late then. I can see him having an impact versus Everton.

I think that's the issue with Coutinho, he comes on in garbage time and shows some nice touches. It teases plenty on here as to what he could be capable of, still only 31 etc. But do you have any faith in his ability to play 90 mins at a high level say 30 times this season? As our highest earner he should be easily capable of that. But the unfortunate reality, based on his career post Liverpool, is that he can't and won't.

With the high intensity of the game these days and also the five sub rule, a lot of top teams select sides knowing certain players will only play more or less for sixty minutes. Arsenal for example us Martinelli very much this way before being replaced by Trossard. You will also see Newcastle do it this season with both Gordon and Harvey Barnes. Citeh with Foden and Grealish.

I don't see how we shouldn't be any different and use Coutinho in the same way. We should not only look to use him when we are chasing games. Coutinho for sixty and either Zaniola/Philogene coming on if we are chasing a game, or if the the game needs closing out bringing on the likes of Dendoncker.

Coutinho is our most skillful player and can change a game with a moment of magic. Let's use him to our best advantage.

[AV84]

Romano says Seville are in talks to sign a LB, so there's some kind of domino effect there, making Acuña to us seem more likely, I guess.

[Villafirst]

I presume Acuna will play tonight in the Super Cup against Man City? Be good to watch him in action.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I presume Acuna will play tonight in the Super Cup against Man City? Be good to watch him in action.

Would that Cup tie him for Conference League?

[Villatillidie25]

I presume Acuna will play tonight in the Super Cup against Man City? Be good to watch him in action.

Would that Cup tie him for Conference League?

That would be harsh.

on a similar note. if a player plays in the qualifiers/play-offs for ucl/uel or uecl, do they become cup-tied for any of those comps? i assume a uecl playoff cup ties you from the uecl but maybe not from playing in one of the other competitions (& vice versa)

[Ads]

Nicolo Schira a reputable sports journalist in Italy claiming that Acuna has agreed a 2.5 year deal to 2026. Just need to hammer things out with Sevilla now.

https://x.com/nicoschira/status/1691715445781311545?s=46

He's not reputable at all. Total fantasy account.

He’s got 300k followers and followed by other some football journalists. The account has done well if it’s fantasy.

He's a total fraud. Got into a conversation with a few journalists on there a few years back who were fed up of him. Entirely a blag account.

[murgsy]

Laporte gone to SA. Obscene salary

[Hookeysmith]

Laporte gone to SA. Obscene salary

I thought he was destined for us - maybe even on loan - but hey ho

[Flamingo Lane]

I presume Acuna will play tonight in the Super Cup against Man City? Be good to watch him in action.

Yes, though that would mean watching the match.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'm wondering if we've almost exhausted our transfer list. With the exception of Youri Tielemans, every player we've signed has either played or been under the watchful eye of Emery or Mouchi. There can't be many left. I'm half expecting 40 year old Pepe Reina to be brought in as our goalkeeping number 2. Cover for Tyrone? Step forward 37 year old Raúl Albiol. Gerard Moreno is only 31.

It seems Unai does like familiarity and looking at his 2021 Europa league winning team, age matured players. Even his bench was full of them. I might give him a call and dig out my boots. You win nothing with kids, eh Unnai!

[Ger Regan]

Not really sure the point you're trying to make tbh? Assuming Zaniolo joins then the average age of our summer signings to date will be 25, and 2 of the 4 will have already played for him.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Not really sure the point you're trying to make tbh? Assuming Zaniolo joins then the average age of our summer signings to date will be 25, and 2 of the 4 will have already played for him.

Mouchi brought Zaniolo to Roma. Familiarity. The point Ger, actually there is no point, just an observation which surprised me is Emery likes older players. Talk of offering Marcos Acuña a 3 year contract to a very soon to be 32 year old would normally set off alarm bells. What I see from his Cup winning team is expect him to still be playing for us in 2-3 years time. It's not a quick fix, he likes older players.

[AV84]

I'm wondering if we've almost exhausted our transfer list. With the exception of Youri Tielemans, every player we've signed has either played or been under the watchful eye of Emery or Mouchi. There can't be many left. I'm half expecting 40 year old Pepe Reina to be brought in as our goalkeeping number 2. Cover for Tyrone? Step forward 37 year old Raúl Albiol. Gerard Moreno is only 31.

It seems Unai does like familiarity and looking at his 2021 Europa league winning team, age matured players. Even his bench was full of them. I might give him a call and dig out my boots. You win nothing with kids, eh Unnai!

I was kind of wondering the same thing about Monchi. Everyone was hyping him up when he joined but so far it feels like they're just remembering people they've worked with before. Not to say that might not all work out spectacularly well, and it's possible we're still not attractive enough to attract players that don't have that pre existing relationship, but still, the process does feel slightly underwhelming after all the hype. But if it works it works.

[Villatillidie25]

I suspect it'll take Monchi 6-12m to start putting his stamp on the team. The deals we have done this summer will have had little to nothing to do with him as they will have been in the works for months. I think they are more illustrative of the power Emery has at the club

[olaftab]

Nicolo Schira a reputable sports journalist in Italy claiming that Acuna has agreed a 2.5 year deal to 2026. Just need to hammer things out with Sevilla now.

https://x.com/nicoschira/status/1691715445781311545?s=46

And now there is a tweet from Fabrazio that Digne is on his way to Al-Hilal. This is unlikely as we will be without a left back for Everton game?