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

[Drummond]

On transfers, Unai Emery said: "It is difficult. We are not very focused on the transfer window because we are second at the moment.

"We are recovering some players who were out from the beginning of the season until now, like Alex Moreno and Jacob Ramsey. I am very happy with the players, very happy. The commitment of the players is really good.

"Two are players who can leave: Callum Chambers and Bertrand Traore. They are two players that know their situation through different circumstances.

"There are other players that can leave and if they do, then we can think about adding one or two players.

"The players we have now, I want to support and help. We have to be demanding to increase the quality so it is not easy to get something in this transfer window."

[astonvilla82]

So Unai has more or less confirmed that we are not looking to sign anyone in this window as he is content with  his squad for now. I think that's a reasonable thing as I can't see a quality VFM signing that will catapult us to the League title.

Or it might be I ain't telling you nosey f**kers till we actually sign anybody like before

[AV84]

All that is to say we might be alright with no new signings this window, but we're going to be relying on a lot of "luck" for the remainder of the season if we don't.

I don't think we can fix future bad luck in this window.

We can't future proof the squad for all eventualities, but we could, for example, recognise we've only got 1 RB and try to get some cover there. Or acknowledge that Durán is fine for 20 minutes here and there, but if Watkins got injured he's not going to lead the line for 2 or 3 games.

But, as pointed out above, it sounds like we're not doing any business this window, so all of this is pointless. And, to be fair, I'm sure they can see we need new players for these positions, and probably others, but January isn't the best time to get players, and long term we're probably better off waiting until the summer.

[Drummond]

From Emery's comments, Chambers and Traore can go with no real effect on the squad (as we all know), then others may leave provided we can replace; Dendoncker and Digne spring to mind.

If that's the case, then I'd expect a full back in the shape of Acuna and potentially a midfielder (a forward thinking one at a guess) because Iroegbunam might get more game time.

[OCD]

Emery has always said he doesn't want to get bodies in just for the sake of covering a position. That signings need to add something to the team. That's hard to find in January without spending a fortune and probably blowing FFP.

[pablo_picasso]

It's disappointing, but at least he is being honest with us.

I can accept & respect that...

[jwarry]

It's disappointing, but at least he is being honest with us.

I can accept & respect that...

Why is it disappointing? All clubs are fucked by FFP and those that take a risk are gambling big time.  I’m happy if we sign no one but if we can ship out Calum and Beet then who knows we might get someone in, but it’s not disappointing

[AV84]

Shall we just shut this thread down now? Or will we live with some small hope for a bit of excitement before the window closes?

[brontebilly]

On transfers, Unai Emery said: "It is difficult. We are not very focused on the transfer window because we are second at the moment.

"We are recovering some players who were out from the beginning of the season until now, like Alex Moreno and Jacob Ramsey. I am very happy with the players, very happy. The commitment of the players is really good.

"Two are players who can leave: Callum Chambers and Bertrand Traore. They are two players that know their situation through different circumstances.

"There are other players that can leave and if they do, then we can think about adding one or two players.

"The players we have now, I want to support and help. We have to be demanding to increase the quality so it is not easy to get something in this transfer window."

I know there are language difficulties but Emery isn't shy about clarifying the situation with players not in his plans. He has been consistent with that since the Stevenage debacle early on. I'm assuming Hause is another one to go with . Chambers and Hause are second division players really, for the sake of his career Chambers should move on. Hause after his problems I'm not sure will be as keen to keep playing. Traore is out of contract in the summer so we could just release him really. Some waste of ability.

Just looking through the contract expiry list, Bailey could do with getting sorted. I think we might aswell hold onto the likes of the Donk now until the summer and definitely Digne too.

[AV84]

I think we all knew Chambers and Traore are ones we'll just have to cut our loses with.

Dendoncker you'd hope to get a bit of cash for. There were rumours of Everton being interested in him, but I'm guessing their situation is up in the air at the moment.

Felt like in the summer we were keeping Digne until we had a replacement in, whereas now it feels maybe like we can't buy a replacement until he goes, freeing up some money. Obviously that's an if, and I'd assume Emery is happy to keep him at least until the summer. He's been great all season.

[Gareth]

Dendoncker would depend if he thinks he has a way back into Belgium squad for Euros…if he does he might want to move…if a Luton or Forest came in with 3m I’d guess he would be gone

[john e]

Do you think it’s that 10 point reduction for Everton that’s made everyone more serious about not breaking the rules

[Toronto Villa]

Do you think it’s that 10 point reduction for Everton that’s made everyone more serious about not breaking the rules

I think the ethical sides were already staying within the guidelines. But I am sure them getting hammered with a 10 point kick in the balls made even the most disciplined take notice a bit more.

[Toronto Villa]

Listening to his press conference nothing is off the table. Because of FFP I'm sure we'd like to (and maybe we need) relieve oursleves of Bert and Chambers. No big loss there. He basically says if we do then we look at adding players but he's very happy with what he has with players coming back and possibly even Mings and Emi by the end of the season.

[Risso]

Emi may be back sooner than expected because he's been seen walking round the place for a while and might therefore get back to running and stuff soon. Mings though, I reckon it won't be until September at least before he's back, maybe later if he doesn't get a pre-season.