The transfer thread

[monkeybarry]

We don't, but he has been a body on the bench. With Ange wanting more players in, I can't see us sending more out to have even less available

Well, he hasn't used him - despite being desperate for extra bodies.
He can't have his cake and eat it.

 

[Finney Is Back]

Could this be an example of a player who is now saying 'no thanks' given our mess of a situation compared to the summer when it was reported that we initially approached him?

More likely the transfer fee has gone up with Man Utd's interest and they also offer a higher wage than we do so we're no longer in the race.

I've said a few times that El Hadji Malick Diouf would be the smart signing here if we've not got the money for Dorgu. I saw a story today that Brighton are trying to sign him (so we know a club that makes smart transfers likes him).

 

[Finney Is Back]

Just think we don’t need another LB.
Udogie, Spence, Regulion, Davies even Gray can play there.

Why would we spend a lot of money on a player we don’t really need? Instead we should put that cash into midfield, attack or CB.

Injured, a right back, leaving in the Summer (and we've been trying to offload him for 2.5 years), a centre back now in our system, a central midfield player/right back/centre back.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Injured, a right back, leaving in the Summer (and we've been trying to offload him for 2.5 years), a centre back now in our system, a central midfield player/right back/centre back.

We are not short of options! Would be madness to spend 20m and wages on a bench warmer (when we have 3 already and they are all decent). When we need more attacking power, a midfielder and probably a CB if Romero is off in the summer.

 

[glorygloryeze]

Just think we don’t need another LB.
Udogie, Spence, Regulion, Davies even Gray can play there.

Why would we spend a lot of money on a player we don’t really need? Instead we should put that cash into midfield, attack or CB.

My answer is the same as @Finney Is Back

 

[SpurMeUp]

My answer is the same as @Finney Is Back

What would you do with Spence, limit his game time again? And Reggie, just leave him out? Or Gray who’s been getting useful minutes and doing well. You’d bench these players and add a 20m signing to our bench with Udogie and Spence having played pretty well.

Crazy. I’m glad fans are not running the show!

 

[Muttley]

Just think we don’t need another LB.
Udogie, Spence, Regulion, Davies even Gray can play there.

Why would we spend a lot of money on a player we don’t really need? Instead we should put that cash into midfield, attack or CB.

Even if I include VDV in your list, I still think we do.

I think it is perfectly OK to invest when you have an exit strategy for another player. We know that Reggie is rolling off the roster and wage bill, and if we got to a strong squad position in the summer then we also know Davies would attract interest. We can genuinely start thinking about Udogie and ANOther at this stage for next season. That hybrid LB/LCB is perhaps the ideal as that upgrades Davies as well. Hincapie would be a dream signing, but won't happen.

 

[glorygloryeze]

What would you do with Spence, limit his game time again?

No, play him at RB whilst giving Porro a rest (and some rotation)

And Reggie, just leave him out?

That's waht we've been doing for nearly two year anyway..and he'll leave soon anyway

Or Gray who’s been getting useful minutes and doing well.

Play him in CM, not like there isn't space for him there

You’d bench these players and add a 20m signing to our bench with Udogie and Spence having played pretty well.

No, see above

Crazy. I’m glad fans are not running the show!

Generally true, but again: see above

 

[Muttley]

More likely the transfer fee has gone up with Man Utd's interest and they also offer a higher wage than we do so we're no longer in the race.

I've said a few times that El Hadji Malick Diouf would be the smart signing here if we've not got the money for Dorgu. I saw a story today that Brighton are trying to sign him (so we know a club that makes smart transfers likes him).

And if Brighton get him, then bid for Estupinan. I wouldn't normally advocate for a 27 year old but I think Estupinan would be ready for the pay rise and suit our philosophy regardless of who is manager. He is a massively underrated player, who now carries a lot of PL experience.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Even if I include VDV in your list, I still think we do.

I think it is perfectly OK to invest when you have an exit strategy for another player.

Of course, but is it okay when you have three other positions that are missing top quality players? I don’t think so personally.

We know that Reggie is rolling off the roster and wage bill, and if we got to a strong squad position in the summer then we also know Davies would attract interest.

So sign LB cover over the summer. We still have Spence and Gray and both need games and have done well at LB. Very well! Why would we usurp them and tie up resources for another bench warmer?

We can genuinely start thinking about Udogie and ANOther at this stage for next season. That hybrid LB/LCB is perhaps the ideal as that upgrades Davies as well. Hincapie would be a dream signing, but won't happen.

Porro is first choice at RB. And between Gray and Spence we have both fullback positions covered. With extra backup too.

Yet you’re concerned about LB? Whilst our midfield is shaky and staffed by 18 year olds, and inconsistent Bissouma (and Bentancur to an extent) who are not always available. There is a clear need to add quality to midfield and attack. I wouldn’t waste money on going sideways at LB when 3 players have done exceptionally well there; with two other competent safe hands as cover.

 

[Bishop]

Now it looks like United are getting Dorgu I'm going convince myself he was brick anyway with this compilation!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884314535156408368

We don't like defending anyway so not a problem.

 

[SpurMeUp]

No, play him at RB whilst giving Porro a rest (and some rotation)

Spence wouldn’t get as many games. You haven’t been impressed with him at LB?

That's waht we've been doing for nearly two year anyway..and he'll leave soon anyway

Yes he will but he’s ample cover in the interim.

Play him in CM, not like there isn't space for him there

We need a top quality senior midfielder. Gray certcan bolster our options in midfield, but it’s too much to expect him to deliver at a top level consistently. Time, rotation and patience. When we need quality in midfield right now! Maybe Gray can step up and deliver but it is a risk and it’s unfair pressure on an 18 year old imo.

No, see above


Generally true, but again: see above

 

[Grays_1890]

The club has missed out on many a player over the years, but our fans also go OTT with coveting anyone who is anyone who goes elsewhere, then you don't hear much when they turn out to have been el crapo

Interesting views on Rashford, personally not for me, although low risk, I just don't think his heads in it anymore, who knows.

 

[Bishop]

What would you do with Spence, limit his game time again? And Reggie, just leave him out? Or Gray who’s been getting useful minutes and doing well. You’d bench these players and add a 20m signing to our bench with Udogie and Spence having played pretty well.

Crazy. I’m glad fans are not running the show!

Reggie has already just been left out so no change there. Spence is needed on the right to rotate and compete with Porro. Gray is a terrible LB and Davies can't play there effectively anymore.

We actually need a backup/competition LB that Ange will actually use because Udogie has been very poor this season and he has no competition to keep him on his toes.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Reggie has already just been left out so no change there.

Just factually wrong. Played in the last game.

Spence is needed on the right to rotate and compete with Porro.

Spence has done well at LB and Gray was covering Porro. You don’t remember Spence’s mom performances!?

Gray is a terrible LB and Davies can't play there effectively anymore.

Again factually wrong. Both are decent at LB but there are two maybe three players ahead of them anyway!

We actually need a backup/competition LB that Ange will actually use because Udogie has been very poor this season and he has no competition to keep him on his toes.

Longer term in the summer - yes. For now midfield, attack and possibly CB are much more important!

 

[Muttley]

Of course, but is it okay when you have three other positions that are missing top quality players? I don’t think so personally.

Out of interest, which 3? What players have to be sacrificed like Reggie to get your players. Our squad is about full. It certainly cannot take a +3 scenario.

So sign LB cover over the summer. We still have Spence and Gray and both need games and have done well at LB. Very well! Why would we usurp them and tie up resources for another bench warmer?

This is bad practice, especially when you're going down the path of signing younger players. That Jan-May assimilation period would be be massive for how the new LB performs in the 25/26 season when there will be a high dependency on them. We should always try to find the replacements before the incumbent rolls off.

Porro is first choice at RB. And between Gray and Spence we have both fullback positions covered. With extra backup too.

Yet you’re concerned about LB? Whilst our midfield is shaky and staffed by 18 year olds, and inconsistent Bissouma (and Bentancur to an extent) are not always available. There is a clear need to add quality to midfield and attack. I wouldn’t waste money on going sideways at LB when 3 players have done exceptionally well there; with two other competent safe hands as cover.

Gray being utility has served us well this season. However, he will need to get to his specialist role of midfield at some point. I also don't think he brings to RB what Spence can. Biss and "inconsistent" is now just an old, incorrect narrative. He's been massively consistent this season, especially when fit. He has maybe 2 wobbles. He's not been fit though. Patching himself up for the manager. I do think we have big decisions on new contracts vs replacements with Biss and Bents though.

I do get your point though about budget. There is one school of thought that says when your lead warms up on a target player then just go for it and close the deal. That's incredibly hard to do so don't waste the moment. The other is to be more targeted about which position and walk away from one position and focus on another. I think we get a little too fixated on the latter. Just get the great players in and it will all come out in the wash right?

Good conversation.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Out of interest, which 3?

For me: midfield is weakest. We Had to play a broken Sarr. Bentancur is the only really senior midfielder, with there being some question marks over Bissouma as a first choice midfielder. And Bentancur has off periods too. He can be scintillating. And is the best midfielder we have. But we need another who’s of a top calibre imo. Gray and Bergvall are great as rotation. Bissouma too is great when not overplayed or coming on as a sub/rotating.

What players have to be sacrificed like Reggie to get your players. Our squad is about full. It certainly cannot take a +3 scenario.

Idk how many spaces we have. But didn’t that only affect Europe?

This is bad practice, especially when you're going down the path of signing younger players. That Jan-May assimilation period would be be massive for how the new LB performs in the 25/26 season when there will be a high dependency on them.

But they will get no games. Spence and Udogie are ahead of them. Reggie making a case too.

We should always try to find the replacements before the incumbent rolls off.

Not when other positions are crying out for reinforcements.

In attack we will get Johnson and Oderbert back. Werner Solanke. We have the numbers once players are fit but it’s clear we’d add quality if we can. Werner is just backup and gone in the summer. Richi we’d sell, and we probably want more trickery down the wings.

At CB we need cover and potentially a Romero replacement.

Gray being utility has served us well this season. However, he will need to get to his specialist role of midfield at some point. I also don't think he brings to RB what Spence can.

He’s 6 years younger! We forget just how young he is.

Biss and "inconsistent" is now just an old, incorrect narrative. He's been massively consistent this season, especially when fit.

You are right - he fuks up consistently! About once every 10 games which isn’t terrible. But the implosion and mistakes cost games. When he’s not fully focused he is a liability. He can’t play on fumes like some can.

He has maybe 2 wobbles. He's not been fit though. Patching himself up for the manager. I do think we have big decisions on new contracts vs replacements with Biss and Bents though.

I do get your point though about budget. There is one school of thought that says when your lead warms up on a target player then just go for it and close the deal. That's incredibly hard to do so don't waste the moment. The other is to be more targeted about which position and walk away from one position and focus on another. I think we get a little too fixated on the latter. Just get the great players in and it will all come out in the wash right?

Good conversation.

We have 5 settled players who can play LB. Adding another bench warmer who needs to establish himself and settle without preseason doesn’t make much sense to me - unless he is the next Bale or in that special category.

 

[Finney Is Back]

Just think we don’t need another LB.
Udogie, Spence, Regulion, Davies even Gray can play there.

Why would we spend a lot of money on a player we don’t really need? Instead we should put that cash into midfield, attack or CB.

We are not short of options! Would be madness to spend 20m and wages on a bench warmer (when we have 3 already and they are all decent). When we need more attacking power, a midfielder and probably a CB if Romero is off in the summer.

To use your exact analogy if concentrating on attacking power:

Just think we don’t need another forward.
Solanke, Richarlison, Son, Werner even Kulusevski can play up front.

Why would we spend a lot of money on a player we don’t really need? Instead we should put that cash into the left back position.
Up front we are not short of options! Would be madness to spend 20m and wages on a bench warmer (when we have 3 already and they are decent)

Why would we spend a lot of money on a player we don’t really need? Instead we should put that cash into ensuring we have two players of the right quality to fight for the left back spot

 

[Finney Is Back]

And if Brighton get him, then bid for Estupinan. I wouldn't normally advocate for a 27 year old but I think Estupinan would be ready for the pay rise and suit our philosophy regardless of who is manager. He is a massively underrated player, who now carries a lot of PL experience.

Like we would be prepared to pay the price demanded for a Brighton player!

 

[SpurMeUp]

To use your exact analogy if concentrating on attacking power:

Just think we don’t need another forward.
Solanke, Richarlison, Son, Werner even Kulusevski can play up front.

Why would we spend a lot of money on a player we don’t really need? Instead we should put that cash into the left back position.
Up front we are not short of options! Would be madness to spend 20m and wages on a bench warmer (when we have 3 already and they are decent)

The club clearly doesn’t agree having tried to sign the PSG player.

Personally I don’t think we are finished in attack. Werner, Richarlison, have question marks over them. We don’t know about Oderbert. Even Johnson has more to prove. So an additional attacker - if the right player is available - is welcome!

Why would we spend a lot of money on a player we don’t really need? Instead we should put that cash into ensuring we have two players of the right quality to fight for the left back spot

We arguably have 3 already: Udogie , Spence and Reggie. With 2 more if needed.