Summer 26 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[brontebilly]

Rashford didn't really play out wide in midfield though, he struggled in that position from memory for us against the better teams. Maybe with a full pre season with us that wouldn't be an issue. He did have that raw acceleration up front that caused a lot of problems but not sure he would have worked medium/long term as the 9 either. His back to goal play isn't that strong. Does have a summer transfer saga written all over it.

[TheToffnar]

I've seen the argument against Rashford coming back pop up a lot recently. Perhaps he wasn't quite as enthralling as some where hoping, but he still had one of the most electric debuts of any signing of the last 10 years and backed that up with a fair amount of excellent performances.

I can't remember a player dragging the eye so often as he did. There was always a sense that he'd so some wizardry and unlock a defense for us. A daft part of me still thinks that we'd have gotten past Palace if he hadn't gotten injured...

[andyh]

I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.

Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.

Would you still have been going for him, had you not seen one really good game that he just so happened to play against us?

I’d love to see us take a chance on obvious potential

[PaulWinch again]

I’d hope we were a bit more scientific than that given we can’t exactly chuck money about.

[Percy McCarthy]

Seems Barca might want him on loan again, but SSN think it unlikely Manure will agree to that.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.

Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.

Would you still have been going for him, had you not seen one really good game that he just so happened to play against us?

I’d love to see us take a chance on obvious potential

Is 2 goals and 1 assist in a worse league 'obvious potential', though? Loads of players are capable of the odd good game. I'm sure Adama Traore has looked thrilling at times.

[andyh]

Ok. Hopefully we aren’t interested in Rowe.

[RamboandBruno]

I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.

Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.

Rashford as much as any player pushed us almost all the way against PSG. When he and McGinn went off that almost unstoppable drive in the second half faded a bit. He was also really good in most games he played that I remember.
There was a a game or two when him, Asensio and Rogers were playing interchangeable positions and it was hard to fathom how good it was.
Probably all irrelevant as can’t see him wanting to come back after a year at Barcelona

[DrGonzo]

If we sell Rogers we can afford Rashford. Rogers didn’t thrive when Rashford was in the team either, so it makes footballing sense.

Great post

[Dante Lavelli]

I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.

Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.

I’d agree with this.  It’s (sadly) still vital that we consider wages and future sale values in most of our purchases.

Rashford, whilst a good player, would exhaust our available wages and provides no future income.  A decent option on loan if we have CL money but I think we’d be foolish to commit £200k/week for 3 or 4 years.

[Dante Lavelli]

In the next 2 summer transfer windiws6 and the January window next year, we're going to have to bring in/replace about 8-9 players.

Trying to think which players could tip over the edge in the next 18-months:

1. Mings
2. Digne
3. Martinez
4. McGinn
5. Barkley
6. Lindleoff
7. Watkins

Given most are reserves I don’t think there’s the urgency you imply because their minutes can naturally be managed. 

In fact, it might be logical  to ‘sweat the assets’ whilst youth payers are given the chance to develop and young signings adapt to the UK/Villa way etc.  Furthermore, a fair few are integral to our current DNA so should not be jettisoned lightly.

[Mister E]

In the next 2 summer transfer windiws6 and the January window next year, we're going to have to bring in/replace about 8-9 players.

Trying to think which players could tip over the edge in the next 18-months:

1. Mings
2. Digne
3. Martinez
4. McGinn
5. Barkley
6. Lindleoff
7. Watkins

Given most are reserves I don’t think there’s the urgency you imply because their minutes can naturally be managed. 

In fact, it might be logical  to ‘sweat the assets’ whilst youth payers are given the chance to develop and young signings adapt to the UK/Villa way etc.  Furthermore, a fair few are integral to our current DNA so should not be jettisoned lightly.

4 of them are first-picks ...

[N'ZMAV]

maybe they won't be in the next 18 months

[Mister E]

maybe they won't be in the next 18 months

Well, yes ... you're probably right!

[Percy McCarthy]

In the next 2 summer transfer windiws6 and the January window next year, we're going to have to bring in/replace about 8-9 players.

Trying to think which players could tip over the edge in the next 18-months:

1. Mings
2. Digne
3. Martinez
4. McGinn
5. Barkley
6. Lindleoff
7. Watkins

Given most are reserves I don’t think there’s the urgency you imply because their minutes can naturally be managed. 

In fact, it might be logical  to ‘sweat the assets’ whilst youth payers are given the chance to develop and young signings adapt to the UK/Villa way etc.  Furthermore, a fair few are integral to our current DNA so should not be jettisoned lightly.

I too think the core that has served us well over the last few years should be largely retained. Use the Malen/Guessand/Barrenechea money to sprinkle some wing/forward magic into the squad and we’re well set IMO.