Rumours around ike ugbo again suspect may be him as we have held a long term interest and he’s home grown I think
Anything you’ve heard with us specifically. Did see Romano post that several championship clubs have enquired.
In the comments on The Athletic. (the blanks are not AL swearing, but I wanted to remove the name of the poster) Thanks *********, appreciate the message, there’s so much that goes into the procurement process that I think it’s important to reflect on that as deals / negotiations are going on but then be able to reflect on the inner workings once they are completed. Yes, agree re additions plus CB on top of winger, midfielder and possibly another striker. We shall see.
“possibly another striker” One week later: “the recruitment team were ultimately happy with the depth of strikers available”
As in the possible striker being a former hornet? Or just any of the potential new signings? If a striker, who fits that bill? Britt Assombalonga!?
We were trying for Will Hughes but he's playing now, so possibly reverted to Nathaniel Chalobah? Given it seems we've tried for Whiteman, O'Brien, and Hughes this window it's clear we want a homegrown midfielder with Championship experience.
Seems odd that we're scrabbling around for another striker. And slightly disconcerting (though perhaps inevitable) that enquiries and new names are being considered this late.
For about 3 months he was. Barely played since then. I would hope we wouldn't waste a loan space on him
That is terrifying - I know he's been getting offered around on loan to the Champ but assumed he'd end up at a relegation battler. Let's hope they go for Ugbo.
If I remember correctly Assombalonga was excellent at Forest for a time, then seemed to do the Deeney trick of bulking up too much and his pace and mobility went. His Championship goalscoring record is pretty decent but it just seems like an odd one when you look at the other deals we've done this window.
16 goals in his last 66 games for Boro > 2 yrs ago. 12 goals in 48 appearances in Turkey. His day has passed.
In the absence of Louza it would be a shrewd deal, we don't really have that type of midfielder at the moment (Asprilla is comfortable on the ball, but much more of an advanced midfielder), although I wonder how much it will cost
Would have thought that would be too dear (£5m+) but does appear to fit Andrew French’s midfielder @Markoa$ sketched out before. If I were him, unless we can double his wages or something, I’d only leave for PL football. He’s the captain and main man at Swansea whereas after injuries he’d have to fight for a place here. The style there is also built around him.
I think you would probably have him over Choudhury and play Louza further forward. But a lot of money regardless.
Any striker coming in is likely to be battling with Bayo for third choice behind Araujo and Davis. Limited scope for quality there, we're not going to have another Deeney, Vydra, Ighalo, Forestieri situation. If he's fit, I'd be fine with Assombolonga on a short term contract. 75 odd goals in the Championship and only 30 years old.
I’d also argue that’s why we shouldn’t sign anyone and should use Adeyemo in the very unlikely event that there’s another injury crisis.
Assombolonga is an uninspiring one, isn't he, though then again, is he less uninspiring than Vacuum Bayo? Quite possibly.
Is Araujo likely to play as a number 9? If so, and with Davis also competing for that position, then Assombalonga as an impact sub might not be the worse if it’s short term. If Davis was injured for longer and Araujo doesn’t play as a CF then I’d be a bit more worried about it. Also, it’s just as likely it won’t happen anyway. Would be a shame to see our young Academy strikers already disappear though.
