Vinicius Souza

Desperate to get him and the Argie left back in with Jota..

We could then have a couple of loan to buys at centre half and a flexible winger/forward almost like we did with Jota and Carter-Vickers..

Would leave us bringing in Siegrist and possibly a Rogic type of replacement..

 

Since the start of 2021, we've made the following in terms of player sales

Ajer - £13 million up front
Edouard - £14 million up front
Frimpong - Around £8 million after the sell-on fee for city
Klimala - £3 million
Hendry - £2 million
Bayo - £1 million

That's not to mention Brown, Rogic and Bitton all off the wage bill. So around £41 million. Add to that the £30 or so million we get from the CL, there is absolutely no reason we couldn't spend around £8 million up front for this guy.

 

Hart
Juranovic CCV Starfelt Bernabei
Souza
O'Riley McGregor
Abada Kyogo Jota

Siegrist
Ralston Jullien Welsh Taylor
Ideguchi
Turnbull Hatate
Forrest Giakoumakis Maeda

Would be some squad, probably the strongest we've had in terms of depth and a really good mix of styles of players.

Abada and Maeda able to play through the middle.

Only weak points would be Jullien completely unreliable after barely playing in 2 and a half year. Ideguchi unknown having barely played. You'd rather have 2 reliable older experienced players there, must be an older 30-33 year old centre-back who is decent we could sign as a back-up like the huns had Balogun. Also the same in defensive midfield, someone like Hartley or Robson would be a good back-up option for in there, a solid reliable player. Guys who you'd hope not to use much but can do a solid job if they are needed and who are happy to be on the bench.

 

Left back,centre back,def midfielder and striker who can play wide as well spend the money we have it spend it on good quality additions

 

Centre half still the weak spot..

Jullien will be off and need another quality addition in there. Welsh i don't rate but would be more comfortable with 4th choice as opposed to next in line..

Ideguchi it's hard to say. Think he's decent but will no doubt just be a squad player..

 

Think Christie ended up getting us about £4.5m in total as well.

 

Agreed..

The more the merrier to be honest..

Another centre half who is strong in the air and in general would be handy to replace Jullien and fight for a first team spot. Souza. Then another as you say 8/10 type who can handle it or is decent in the air..

Even a versatile winger/forward who is the same. We've seen it with the likes of Dembele and now Jackie how effective in both boxes they can be..

 

Yep that Mmaee seems physical and decent in the air from the clips I've seen. Think he'd do well for us..

Definitely another pacey guy who can mix it in the 8 role and break beyond. Don't think we've been linked with too many but just now we have a lot of similar types of 8's and could do with another 100%..

 

Much as this guy looks amazing, I just don't get the feeling it will happen.

 

If we loan him even with an option, I don’t think he ends up here beyond this season unless it was an obligation to buy.

It already sounds like he has reservations which would mean he won’t be coming.

If he becomes a key player for us then you lose him without receiving any return to replace him, so then you end up selling another first team player and having to split any proceeds from that sale across replacing that player and Souza.

I have always felt that is the issue with loans. the upside is the try before you buy element which has worked well with CCV and hopefully Jota but we have then had to use a big chunk of our transfer budget for this year just to stay the same.

 

Makes perfect sense to come to us. league titles, cups and champions league and if he has any aspirations to play in the EPL in the future he'd be putting himself on their doorstep fingers crossed

 

Brazilians have a reputation for homesickness and taking off at the drop of a hat to visit 'sick relatives' and 'going to weddings' etc.

 

And whole host of Brazilian players seem to be doing just fine in Europe and Asia

 

I really like this, two teams to mix and match. An away team and a home team equals less injuries during the season and players not having to suffer hamstring injuries from playing too many games sequentially. Every one gets to play and rest and less physical burnout. Players in form making the first 11 for the big games.

 

As much as we all seem to want him, Ange won't hang around waiting. He'll want folk committed and in preferably for the start of preseason. Things should pick up on all fronts from when the boss is back next week. Starting wi Jota and tue Argie LB.

 

I think this is key. We know how Ange operates - he'll have a chat with him and if he doesn't feel like he's all in, we won't go all out for him. That's comforting to know.

 

A team for the league and one for Europe