Summer 2024 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Clampy]

Talks held with Barkley apparently.

The Barkley that was at Luton last season would be an upgrade on Zaniolo and add something to the squad. The Barkley that played for us would be an awful signing.

He wouldn't be playing anywhere like Zaniolo was. If we sign him it would be as an extra body in midfield / Douglas Luiz cover.

The fact that he can play there as well would be a help though.

[OCD]

I'd actually like a permanent DM and someone who can come in until Kamara is back. Bringing the 1 in, you only need a bit of bad luck (which we had plenty of) and we're back to square 1 again.

[Smithy]

As others have said, the Ross Barkley at Luton has been excellent, and that's playing in a team that struggles most weeks.  He looked like he was coasting when he played for us, but he was still on his huge Chelsea contract, and only half-way through it, which might have affected his motivation. 

He clearly has talent, and if Unai thinks he can get him to show it on a regular basis, then I'm perfectly happy for us to add him to the squad.  He certainly would have been a useful option to have in the last 15-20 games this season.

My only worry would be he's 30, turning 31 this season, so any long-term contract (which I'd expect he'd want) is likely to leave him in Chelsea mode again, and us potentially with a costly member of the squad we can't get rid of in a couple of seasons. If he'd take 12 months great, but I have no doubt he'll have offers of 2 or 3 years contracts elsewhere. He's a short-term option for us, nothing else.

[Dave]

He wouldn't be playing anywhere like Zaniolo was. If we sign him it would be as an extra body in midfield / Douglas Luiz cover.

Just because Luton played him more conservatively, doesn't mean Emery would. Unai's started Tielemans (a similarly flexible player) everywhere from defensive midfield to partnering Ollie in attack, left midfield and right midfield. Not that I think we'll be signing Barkley, but if we did, I don't think Emery would need to or would choose to use him in a limited fashion like Luton have.

Sure, he could put him anywhere.

It would just seem a bit odd given he's gone from looking very mediocre playing as a "10", to moving further back and looking decent there. And that cover for the position he's been playing for Luton is just the place that we need a "body" who can fill in when needed.

[Richard]

Id take Barkley on a 2 year deal. Reckon he'd be motivated by the prospects of CL football and I've heard he still has England ambitions.

[Keeno]

He's not going to get a big contract. We have all the leverage, he's just been relegated. 2 year deal max.

He will basically be in the Calum Chambers midfield cover spot in the squad, on a cut price deal. On that basis I'd have him back.

[ozzjim]

Emery likes his players to be able to take the ball, back to goal, in tight spaces, and find a pass. Barkley is well capable of playing that role, giving Luiz, Tielemans and McGinn some much needed rest time. We ran out of steam because we were 4 squad players short for me, mainly on midfield and full back areas. We have heard Unai taking about being intelligent in the market. 2-3 free transfers for squad depth that are better than what we have makes a huge amount of sense.

[LeeB]

Emery likes his players to be able to take the ball, back to goal, in tight spaces, and find a pass. Barkley is well capable of playing that role, giving Luiz, Tielemans and McGinn some much needed rest time. We ran out of steam because we were 4 squad players short for me, mainly on midfield and full back areas. We have heard Unai taking about being intelligent in the market. 2-3 free transfers for squad depth that are better than what we have makes a huge amount of sense.

Yep.

[chrisw1]

Yep, agree Oz.

[aldridgeboy]

If Unai is happy with him, then I am. And on a free seems a very good bit of business

[Dogtanian]

Will he still be orange? 

[Gareth]

On Phillips, for us I would say no as we need not to be taking a risk but if a club could get him at the start of preseason and get him integrated over the summer they might have a hell of a player however it would need to be a club where he plays every week so wouldn’t be us

[ozzjim]

Philips needs to look at Barkley ans do similar. Go to a promoted side, get in the team and play every week.

[Keeno]

Emery likes his players to be able to take the ball, back to goal, in tight spaces, and find a pass. Barkley is well capable of playing that role, giving Luiz, Tielemans and McGinn some much needed rest time. We ran out of steam because we were 4 squad players short for me, mainly on midfield and full back areas. We have heard Unai taking about being intelligent in the market. 2-3 free transfers for squad depth that are better than what we have makes a huge amount of sense.

Bang on.

Barkley and a player like Ndidi through the door to be dedicated backup to Kamara would represent really smart business.

[Ads]

Yes agreed. 10 games put the legs of Dougie and Tielemans, with a defensive midfield alternative to Kamara and we compete for a lot longer.