Sure, Bournemouth had a much bigger wage budget last season, but we only managed to sell Doucoure and the three South Americans (we got around £20m for the youngsters, but we won't have saved much on wages there, and Pereyra was sold to Udinese so the fee may have been nominal), whereas they managed to get big fees for Ake, Ramsdale and Wilson, not to mention the fact that their owner is considerably richer than ours. I'm not convinced we're in a better position financially than them, especially if they are able to get something for Josh King
Considering it seems we've been trying to bring in Zinc for a few months, I hope it means the more recent links of Watters and Watmore mean we're also looking to still bring in another striker (and not just looking at players whose names sound a bit like our club's). A striking duo of Watters and Watmore playing for Watford would certainly wat the appetite though.
I’d be amazed if we pay a fee for a single player this window. It’s not the way the Pozzos operate and never has been. I’m not sure why people constantly delude themselves that we’re suddenly going to change that, especially with our current situation
One caveat to Ben Whiteman is that his contract runs until 2023 and seen it suggested on social media that Doncaster want quite a bit for him should they sell.
I know. Transfermarkt is wrong and I wrote about Whiteman’s new contract later in the Capoue thread. Reckon he’d be £1.5m-2m as Whiteman seems to have signed the new contract with some type of release clause or gentleman’s agreement to leave if Doncaster’s valuation is met.
Yeah I know, LeedsOrn told me in the Capoue thread. Couldn’t edit my post at that point. Transfermarkt has his contract expiring this summer, so thought the info good.
Sorry, I did check subsequent posts after yours to see if anyone had noted the fact but no one had so thought it worth posting - didn’t realise it had been said elsewhere! Apologies.
The club were clear that they’ve learnt from their mistakes, so if they really have then they will change some of the ways they have operated. Not delusional to hope that would mean changing the way they operated in this window. Granted I don’t think we’re going to splash the cash by any means, but if our owners are serious about promotion, then we have to replace Capoue. That is most likely going to cost us a couple mil. So I’m hoping we spend a couple mil, which I believe is necessary if Gino and the board are serious about promotion.
The club are very good at saying the right thing, their actions are where it usually falls down however. Look at the gung ho statements they made after relegation and then compare them to the actual incomings in the summer transfer window as a perfect example
We desperately need a striker - that’s been obvious for 3 seasons now. We clearly need a physical presence in midfield too - so if Pozzo and co really are serious about promotion then they will need to dig deep. Getting Murray off the books and back to Brighton would be a start .... then if any offer for Gray came in I’d let him go and I assume the same for Deeney seeing as he has 6 months left on his contract. For what it’s worth - I suspect we may get another midfielder and maybe a left back and that’ll be it.
He would never had a chance of representing Argentina given the depth in that position in terms of a classic five. He has a father from Paraguay hence his decision. He was once seen by many Boca fans as the next crack to emerge from the cantera but no one has given that playing time is limited by their bizarre policy of loaning youngsters out constantly. Almendra is the latest victim and someone I would not mind seeing here. Talleres played exceptionally well with a positive well drilled formation and Cubas was an essential part of controlling from deep and releasing the ball forwards. He is a little tiger a bit wild and woolly still but I would worry about him being bypassed with balls chipped in and around him as he is quite small for a five. Shame we did not try for Facundo Medina at the time. Growing into a really fine defensive centreback with good attacking instincts at set pieces and is also comfortable at left back linking up play and comfortable with the ball at his feet. Our scouting network surely should look at some of the smaller provincial clubs such as Talleres, Colon and Godoy all of whom have a focus on young players and those who have not had a chance at the big BA clubs.
This is the crux of it - more than one striker will have to leave before another comes in I suspect. I’m as close to certain as I can be that the club won’t bring in yet another striker otherwise. We have too many as it is. My suspicion is the club will send Murray back, bring Success in from the cold as an option and that’s it. I really don’t envisage any interest in Deeney or Gray. I do however hope we are scouting for replacements for when they move on, be it January or the summertime.
A stopgap signing like John Bostock will replace Capoue. No way are we spending money to replace him whilst in the Championship.
I really hope that bench finally encourages our owners to pull their finger out and bring in a striker.
Thiago Santana sold to Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan for €2mil. Seems a fairly cheap price, and an odd league to go to. https://www.abola.pt/nnh/2020-12-26/santa-clara-thiago-santana-rende-dois-milhoes/872886
Decent money in Japanese football now, Iniesta, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Leandro Damião, Isaac Cuenca are a sample of players who have recently played in the J-league!
I suggested him a month ago (04/12): "One possibility for a second-striker or wide forward we could bring in who could score goals is Michael Obafemi on loan from Southampton. He has only played 13 minutes in the PL this season for them so will surely be available. " http://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/transfer-suggestions.54511/page-74#post-2935196 Surely Swans don't need him?! They already have Gibbs-White and Ayew who both occupy similar roles.
