2024 January transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I’d love that Nunez fella at Liverpool
I know it’s unrealistic but there was a time he wasn’t rated and they were overstocked up front
He’d be the sort of signing to break the bank for 80-100 mill and give us more power and options in attack

Shouldn't we be looking for the Next One? - who's out there who's about to burst onto the scene? Under the Emery regime I don't think we need to blow our brains out on an already-established player.

That would have been what they did with Duran??

Yep, exactly this. If we want someone to compete with Watkins now we need to spend big money, if we're happy to have younger options who get a few appearances here and there then Duran is fine and we just need another player of a similar standard.

PSG made a very smart move taking Gonçalo Ramos from Benfica on loan for a season with an option to buy. It has allowed them to more slowly introduce him into the team and he's adapting well. If PSG don't take up the option to buy I'd love us to jump in and sign him. He's so suited to the way we play, he'd be scoring for fun. £56m plus £13m add-ons ain't cheap but he's only 22 and we'd get our moneys worth out of him and some.

Nunez is still learning but I expect him to come close to reaching the heights of his countryman, Edinson Cavani. He's only 24 and has his best years ahead of him.

[paul_e]

I think we need somebody in-between. Hopefully Watkins keeps up his incredible run of games and never getting injured, but if he ever was out for a while, I don't think that Duran is anywhere near good enough yet to replace him adequately. Certainly not in his all round play. I don't know who that player is, but look at Newcastle. When Isak's out, they've got Callum Wilson.

But that was signing a very expensive replacement (Isak) to push a regular (Wilson) out of the XI. Not signing someone who is 90% of the player in place, which is the truly difficult bit.

However I've said before that I'd be ok with someone older coming in for 12/18months to fill that gap, not a lot of good options about though. Someone like Firmino might've been a good option but sadly those sort of players \are the ones being givena  fortune to retire to the desert.

Morata will be in the last 6months of his contract in the window, he could be an option but is clearly a very different player to Watkins.

[AV84]

Brentford apparently want £80 million for Ivan Toney in January. Not one we'd be looking at but interesting to know the kind of price range you're looking at for that level.

[Flamingo Lane]

Smart move by Brentford, and good timing on their part. By the time Toney is due back to play they'll have got well used to doing without him, atm they seem to be doing fairly well without him, with or without him there is little chance of them getting dragged into a relegation battle this season, and possibly never again will they have a chance of raking in £80 million for a player.

[Clark W Griswold]

I think we need somebody in-between. Hopefully Watkins keeps up his incredible run of games and never getting injured, but if he ever was out for a while, I don't think that Duran is anywhere near good enough yet to replace him adequately. Certainly not in his all round play. I don't know who that player is, but look at Newcastle. When Isak's out, they've got Callum Wilson.

But that was signing a very expensive replacement (Isak) to push a regular (Wilson) out of the XI. Not signing someone who is 90% of the player in place, which is the truly difficult bit.

However I've said before that I'd be ok with someone older coming in for 12/18months to fill that gap.

Yes, that would be the best option, whilst Duran develops. We did have Ings of course but i don't think he had the mobility of Watkins and we need that type of player, a like for like if Watkins gets injured.

[Dave]

Someone like Firmino might've been a good option but sadly those sort of players \are the ones being givena  fortune to retire to the desert.

Yup, very good point. I bet that had a league paying many millions in wages to big name players back in the day would have probably meant we'd never have seen the likes of Carew or Merson here.

[Flamingo Lane]

Or Micah Richards or Joleon Lescott.

[OCD]

Some players will go for the money. Others would choose to stay in the Premier League and compete for their position.

[Footy-Vill]

I'm going to see if I can locate  5 players that could strengthen us in specific areas who Monchi will sign.
It's exciting to see what Monchi has lined up.

[Axl Rose]

I'm going to see if I can locate  5 players that could strengthen us in specific areas who Monchi will sign.
It's exciting to see what Monchi has lined up.

From the J2 League please, Footy.

[Dante Lavelli]

I wonder how many of the Saudi lot are regretting their choices.  Often playing in front of <1,000 fans might be more of a culture shock than they were expecting.  Some great players went and some might be keen forfeit the cash for the razzmatazz of a real league.

[AV84]

I'd say anyone who was looking at retirement or having to drop down a few levels quality wise to get a new deal are probably perfectly happy. Anyone under the age of 33/34 probably regretting it.

I read the other day that Neves has said it's his dream to move to Newcastle, surprising absolutely no one.

[john e]

I wonder how many of the Saudi lot are regretting their choices.  Often playing in front of <1,000 fans might be more of a culture shock than they were expecting.  Some great players went and some might be keen forfeit the cash for the razzmatazz of a real league.

On the basis that they went solely for the money there’s probably not that much regret

[tomd2103]

I think genuine competition for Matty Cash at RB and maybe back up in the McGinn / Ramsey position.are the only real holes in the squad, as they probably involve players playing out of position if the first choice options are out.

Upgrades on Olsen and Duran would be ideal I suppose, but a real quality option for the latter might be tricky to find.

[Footy-Vill]

I mentioned in the Chambers thread it's 10 premier league games this season and he hasn't played a minute.
Perhaps as he's not featuring  he can leave and we can bring in a suitable replacement who can play right back /defence