Transfer priorities

[Toronto Villa]

Is it too late to grab Mbappe and make a cheeky offer for Bellingham?

[Steve67]

Is it too late to grab Mbappe and make a cheeky offer for Bellingham?

Mbappe was really talking Unai up the other day as the best coach he’s played for. The fella knows class when he sees it!

[brontebilly]

So assuming everybody like Mings, Rmasey and Buendia etc all come back at the level they're capable of, what do you think are the main requirements for this summer. In my opinion, it's something like:


1) Right back. I really like Cash, and think he gets a bit too much stick at times. But Emery doesn't appear completely sold on him, and the young lad we bought isn't going to be ready, so a good attacking right back is high on the list.


2) Left back. It seems like Digne might be moved on to free up his wages. Lucas has mostly been very good this season, and he would leave with my thanks. Moreno was very good last season, but injuries have meant he hasn't really done much this year, and he's 31 next month, so a top flight replacement please.


3) Defensive midfielder. Obviously Kamara is due back but it might not be until the second half of the season, and this season has shown it's a really key position, so I'd like a big money reinforcement. Worst case scenario, we've then got two really good defensive midfielders for the second half of the season.


The rest of midfield and attack I think we're largely good, and also in defence, although we might need a better back up than Carlosor Lenglet. If we do bring in another forward it needs to be someone mobile who can play anywhere across the front line.

Agreed on your assessment at RB, LB, CM. We need a much better option at RCB than Carlos too. Both Konsa and Torres need stronger competition. Backup keeper is a tricky one but Newcastle missed Pope badly after his injury so we would be taking a similar risk. Palhinha at Fulham would be the ideal big signing of the summer at CM.  Really could do with the injured trio of Mings, Ramsey and Buendia being fully fit.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Grealish looks done at Man City.

Sneaky bid for £50m?

[Axl Rose]

Grealish looks done at Man City.

Sneaky bid for £50m?

I'd say he'd be a better fit for that lot in League 1.

[ozzjim]

Considering FFP, I think this summer is going to be all about getting a squad together that can compete on 2 fronts and play in the style Unai wants. Mings and Buendia I see very much as bonus players until Christmas time considering their injuries.

Carlos is nowhere near good enough for me, he's a liability half the time. A faster, taller, better right sided centre half, and a free left sided centre half to cover Mings until he's fully fit are a given I think.

Holding mid is blindingly obvious to cover Kamara and then compete with. Monchi has to pull a rabbit here, ideally a Rogers type one in she and profile.

Right back with a final ball and positional sense.

A left sided playmaker. A player that we can give the ball to and he'll keep it, pick the right pass, dictate the game a bit. Odegaard, McAllister, Debruyne type. The kid at Villareal seems to be the type you want in that role.

Cheap, experienced striker. Duran is brilliantly talented, but if there is a freebie out there that can give us a player to rotate Ollie a bit, we should be looking.

[Bad English]

Is it too late to grab Mbappe and make a cheeky offer for Bellingham?

Mbappe was really talking Unai up the other day as the best coach he’s played for. The fella knows class when he sees it!

Mbappe and his mom would be a nightmare. All about him and his ego.

[lovejoy]

If we're looking to strengthen at centre back at all then Raphael Varane is available free this summer. 31 and injury prone so not going to play every week, but as an experienced option? Would come along for the CL football I would think

That’s a bad take, an old, out of form, injury prone expensive player who is no upgrade. It crosses every box.

[lovejoy]

Considering FFP, I think this summer is going to be all about getting a squad together that can compete on 2 fronts and play in the style Unai wants. Mings and Buendia I see very much as bonus players until Christmas time considering their injuries.

Carlos is nowhere near good enough for me, he's a liability half the time. A faster, taller, better right sided centre half, and a free left sided centre half to cover Mings until he's fully fit are a given I think.

Holding mid is blindingly obvious to cover Kamara and then compete with. Monchi has to pull a rabbit here, ideally a Rogers type one in she and profile.

Right back with a final ball and positional sense.

A left sided playmaker. A player that we can give the ball to and he'll keep it, pick the right pass, dictate the game a bit. Odegaard, McAllister, Debruyne type. The kid at Villareal seems to be the type you want in that role.

Cheap, experienced striker. Duran is brilliantly talented, but if there is a freebie out there that can give us a player to rotate Ollie a bit, we should be looking.

So you are after a De Bruyne type and Olly Watkins rotation player, both for free? Care to throw in some names?

[ROBBO]

Somehow I can't see Monchi going for older seasoned players, with what we have to offer I hope he goes for younger ambitious players that want to play for the best manager in the premiership. 

[Demitri_C]

Surely the main issue with FFP is getting the wage bill down. Therefore getting rid of countinho hause chambers (sanson is one gone) digne carlos ans maybe cash - will massively allow a transfer splurge

[Gareth]

Somehow I can't see Monchi going for older seasoned players, with what we have to offer I hope he goes for younger ambitious players that want to play for the best manager in the premiership.

Exactly this, he needs to be pulling the next Van de Ven off the rank for us

[Demitri_C]

Somehow I can't see Monchi going for older seasoned players, with what we have to offer I hope he goes for younger ambitious players that want to play for the best manager in the premiership.

Exactly this, he needs to be pulling the next Van de Ven off the rank for us

I agree gareth. We are strongly linked with baena from villareal and thats the profile of player we should be looking at.

We shouldn't be spending big on 29 years old for example like gerrad was

[Mister E]

I'm not going to repeat what has already been said - RB, CB, DCM are priority. LB will also be a priority if we decide to offload one of our current players. There are strong rumours around Hermoso: if this is the CB improvement, happy days.
A lot will depend on any outgoings and PSR considerations that we're not fully 'sighted' on.
I like the idea that Gendouzi might still be available: he's athletic and a box-to-box player and will probably not be massively expensive whilst also knowing the league. I would not be in favour of Ndidi particularly: I don't recall many games where he's been stand-out. Kosta N will be our RB cover; not sure we'll go for another resource there.
I don't think anyone above has addressed the issue of Cam Archer. If he is to return, I'd be in favour of  keeping him as cover for Watkins and Diaby: I think he can play across the line, adds something a little different and knows the league; he also adds to our homegrown / PSR story. We would not need more incomers upfront.
I also wonder about the purchase of Souza at LB: since he hasn't played much at Plymouth he is probably not a player for next season, but let's see what happens over the summer and pre-season.

Outgoings are as important a consideration as incoming: I do think Lenglet, Carlos, Hause, Dendoncker are gone. Tim may also depart, along with players like Chrisene and Revan. I have a feeling they will keep Olsen for another season, giving Cauci and Sinisalo the time to further mature in this environment. Those who might be sold if the right offer comes in are Cash, Ramsey and Luiz, but I'd be disappointed to see any of them go (I get that anyone is available for sale if crazy offers come in).

[darren woolley]

I'm just looking forward to seeing who we buy.