JimmyC74

As we seem to be routing down the side of the sofa for some loose change should we be looking for another season long loan type deal (like when we signed Dragovic from Leverkusen)?

Whilst there is of course time for Brendan and the Club to deliver a strong transfer window I am surprised they haven’t done at least *some* business by now. Appreciate we are probably waiting on Youri to make a decision but, given the big build up around the refresh / rebuild the longer they leave it the greater the potential disappointment will be if they don’t come through. The 2022/23 season is going to be more challenging with Spurs, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle all investing heavily. I don’t think we will see any marquee names incoming and we may well be back as the underdog which I think may well work for us. key for next season is to make ourselves harder to beat and Wilf’s return will help this. But we need to be a nastier side that Clubs hate to face. Plus we need to get in that RW to help increase chances and we need to be clinical. Hopefully Vardy stays fit and Daka comes to the party.

Agreed. League positions 6 through 10 will be more competitive and I am sure Brendan will push Top to free up some cash but I think the refresh may not be as significant as many hope. Myself included.

Loan to buy may be the theme of the summer transfer window is reports like Rob Tanner’s article in the Athletic today prove correct. Very little funds to go into the market and the only interest in our fringe players appears on loan.

You’re right. Good catch. I forgot his contract is running out. Hopefully their interest is genuine and we can cash out and reinvest

With the rumoured Lukaku interest it was mentioned they don’t have the cash to buy and instead are looking to loan. If they are in for Cags let’s hope they don’t try a loan with some option / obligation to buy.

One positive with the Youri situation is the World Cup in November. If we don’t get an offer worth market value - say £30m minimum- and we decide to keep him for his final year he will be motivated to play and perform (at least up until the event). I still think he will go this Summer but not disastrous if he sees out his contract.

Cags’ performance has dipped but, like Youri, he has suffered from the absence of Ndidi. As others have said he will leave and do well elsewhere.

Seen reports he is open to a move so long as buying club is willing to play him in midfield (where we plays for his country). At 25 he is a good age but 2 yrs on his contract so you won’t see much change from £25-30m which is top end of what the sale to Youri will net us.

Was also reminded of this 😂 I think the reaction tho reflects Rodgers building up the ‘Refresh’ from the FA Cup defeat and us not getting in an early signing. Hopefully they are working hard in the background but I sense we may be waiting a while yet. My hope is they focus on a few players of real quality ready to start or put established players under real pressure. Based on limited funds we may need to take a risk on youth / less popular markets

You are probably right. I remember there was some gossip around Southampton, Newcastle a while back. Brendan doesn’t seem to be having him tho and we need the funds.

He’s at an age where he needs first team action and we need funds for the rebuild. We should prioritise a buyer willing to buy now and only look to loan with an obligation to buy.

We are shopping in a different market to the likes of Spurs / Arsenal / Man U and hopefully our scouting network can find players who can improve us. There are sure to be some gems / bargains out there e.g. Coufal £5.4m, Souchek £15m, Mahrez, Kante etc etc. I suspect there won’t be many De Ketelaere type signings and a few names some of us haven’t heard of.

Our strategy is to identify young, raw talent and develop the squad, supported by one or two older heads who are past their peak. The sale of one of the Crown Jewels every 1-2 yrs and reinvestment is also a key element. The Club is playing a long-term strategy improving the infrastructure and hopefully the new stadium / surrounding development will help grow revenues which can also be reinvested. because of the focus on youth there will always be peaks and dips in our performances, however, fifth, fifth and eighth historically ain’t a bad result for us. Brendan is seen as a developing coach which is why he was targeted. Whether he is here longer term I think depends on how well we buy this summer and if we are competing for Europe (top 7). If we are way off it after 10-15 games then Top maybe calls time.

Reportedly on his way to Ajax.

I wouldn’t worry about this. Top and the family has demonstrated their financial commitment. Time and again. the group’s income has been negatively impacted by the restriction on international travel and whilst we are never going to buy a Grealish or Haaland there will be spending but we need to more selective and focus on emerging talent. Keep the faith.

Zinchenko is a solid player but, based on our other priorities I doubt our budget would stretch so we could buy him. There is more chance we would go for Cornet (based on relegation and release clause).

Redbird Capital have just bought Milan for $1.3Bn so they have a few Euros to throw about also. He appears a good player but as you say can’t see us winning an auction with them. Also the rumoured €40m would likely be most of our budget this summer so I think there is a small chance of us doing this deal.

Loaning him back to a club in France or elsewhere abroad may help him regain his confidence but won’t help him acclimatise in the Premier League. We will get a loan fee but, we probably would need to cover a % of his wages and any future sale fee would be further reduced as we would be a year closer to contract expiry. If we have no option then loan him out, but if Brendan doesn’t believe in him (which appears the case) we better look to sell him now. Target someone ready to compete for a starting position and improve the first eleven.

Agreed not perhaps likely but, if they do coming knocking for Youri I would be testing how interested they are by asking for Saliba to be part of any deal.

Expanding the stadium in phases - responding to definite demand - I think is a sesnible move. In the Championship years our average attendance was in the mid 20ks and further investment needs to be balanced against the impact on atmosphere and investment in the playing squad. It will be interesting to see how the Union FS organised signing section and maybe a safe standing area helps the atmosphere Let’s get this project over the line and review in a few years. If success on the field continues and the demand is there then we can look at further redevelopment.

Youri’s form definitely dipped this season and there are probably various reasons including: Frustration the Club failed to reach the Champions League two years running when he was a driving force in how well we performed Frustration with the level of investment in squad (reduced for understandable reasons)/ falling behind Spurs/Arsenal this year Fatigue from playing 50 plus club and international games in back to back seasons Losing his safety net in Ndidi for much of the season. Whatever the reason if he won’t extend his deal and show he can get back to previous season levels of form / energy we need to let him go getting the best deal whether that is a swap deal for Saliba or straight cash deal. We don’t want to play a long game on his future though - make a decision and address the other areas needing attention.

Not sure I can see us investing €40m on a 10 before bringing in a replacement for Youri and some outgoings. Seems a good player and hopefully we can get him.

With the delay in Martyn Glover coming in Let’s hope the Club is listening more to the recruitment team regarding player attributes than Brendan.

Don’t see Brendan replacing Kolo or whoever is in charge of set pieces. Whoever is in that role is very fortunate to still be there.