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

[AV84]

Seeing some links to a LB, Spinazzollo from Roma this evening. He's 30 and out of contract in the summer. His agent has said he's definitely not renewing his Roma contract, but like several other "links" we've had lately, it sounds like someone trying to engineer a move and our name being thrown in to get someone else to bite.

Also, as far as LB goes, I know it's possible Digne will leave this window, or in the summer, but he and Moreno are both 30. Not that 30 is old for athletes these days, but if we're bringing in someone else, shouldn't they at least be a couple of years younger? (There might be nothing to this link, but we were definitely trying to replace Digne with a then 31 year old in the summer.)

[Risso]

Seeing some links to a LB, Spinazzollo from Roma this evening. He's 30 and out of contract in the summer. His agent has said he's definitely not renewing his Roma contract, but like several other "links" we've had lately, it sounds like someone trying to engineer a move and our name being thrown in to get someone else to bite.

Also, as far as LB goes, I know it's possible Digne will leave this window, or in the summer, but he and Moreno are both 30. Not that 30 is old for athletes these days, but if we're bringing in someone else, shouldn't they at least be a couple of years younger? (There might be nothing to this link, but we were definitely trying to replace Digne with a then 31 year old in the summer.)

Agreed. I guess if you can get somebody as good for a lot less than Digne is being paid, then it makes sense from an FFP perspective, but I thought the links to Acuna were a bit odd.

[OCD]

That's why I wonder whether we're thinking about Iling-Junior. I've seen us linked with him since last summer and apparently he's becoming more of an attacking left back.

[pauliewalnuts]

Digne has been excellent this season, seems a bit harsh to move him on, bit pointless?

[AV84]

Agreed. I guess if you can get somebody as good for a lot less than Digne is being paid, then it makes sense from an FFP perspective, but I thought the links to Acuna were a bit odd.

I think Digne has played amazingly this season, and I'd hate to see him go in January, but in the summer I, like many others, thought we'd really miss Moreno. I can see why we might have been looking to bring in a cheaper option at that point, even if he was a bit older. Like I said though, Digne has had a fantastic season so far, and I think we'd have to be bringing in someone amazing, for half the price, to justify letting him go now.

I'm not sure what the academy players are like, but it feels like we sold the ones closest to the first team, and the ones left are a season or more away from breaking into the team. So would we be looking at having to buy 2 more LBs in a couple of seasons, with little to no resale value on the ones we have?

[PaulWinch again]

Digne has been excellent this season, seems a bit harsh to move him on, bit pointless?

Yep let’s fix areas where we have problems first. I get there’s an interrelationship due to FFP, but I wouldn’t want to lose Digne.

[OCD]

I don't see anyone being to break through in the next couple of seasons. The benchmark of the squad is getting higher and higher and it would take a real stand out talent coming through to be able to break into that.

[SteveN]

Spinazollo was great for Italy in the Euros until he got injured.  He was a right footed left back so possibly being considered as a Cash and Moreno cover?

[AV84]

Spinazollo was great for Italy in the Euros until he got injured.  He was a right footed left back so possibly being considered as a Cash and Moreno cover?

That wouldn't be a bad idea. If we could get him now and not have to wait until the summer, it could be a cheapish option to bolster the squad for the second half of the season. If we can't take him until the end of the season though you'd think we could do better over the summer.

[AV84]

I don't see anyone being to break through in the next couple of seasons. The benchmark of the squad is getting higher and higher and it would take a real stand out talent coming through to be able to break into that.

I know it's not always the case but you'd think if we had anyone really special on the books at the moment they'd be in and around the team already. Other teams have used 16 and 17 year olds this season, albeit through absolute necessity. If we were ravaged by injury and suspension over the next few weeks, is there anyone there who we'd feel confident actually giving game time to? Kellyman was the only one looked like he might get a few minutes here and there but obviously he's out for a while now.

[OCD]

I had forgotten about Kellyman. He did look like a talent so maybe, he can come through. Tommi O'Reilly is the only other one I can think of who Emery's used in the first team.

There's a few who have trained with the first team or have had England youth team call-ups but there's along way to go between that and breaking through to the first team.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Disappointed we weren't interested in Marcos Leonardo, the Santos striker who has signed for Benfica for £15m. He now has a €150m buy out clause, the loons. He's only 21 but looks a far better prospect than Duran, he's very similar to Watkins (with better technical skills but not quite the speed) in that he likes to cut in from the left and scores for fun, not bad in a relegated Santos team.

[VillaTim]

call me old fashioned but i don't like the sound of a right footed left back

[Dave]

call me old fashioned but i don't like the sound of a right footed left back

Like say, Paolo Maldini.

[VillaTim]

call me old fashioned but i don't like the sound of a right footed left back

Like say, Paolo Maldini.

Left sided Centre Half