The transfer thread

[Gutter Boy]

Ange has some very interesting choices to make leading up to the summer window, and I would think Bentancur and Bissouma are at the heart of that. Both contracts expire in June 2026. Biss is 28, Bents is 27. I'm guessing neither would sign a short term contract extension and I'm guessing Ange and the club may not want to hand out a long term contract and pay rise. I'm also guessing the club won't want them to walk on a free either. Fortunately, neither was bought for massive money and will have suitors.

Personally, I think Bentancur will want to leave and won't remain in the UK. Had that feeling for a while.

I'm not sure about what Bissouma would want to do. Stay or go.

Id try to get them both on 3 year deals (two year extensions). That timeframe works well with Gray's emergence. And it allows us to focus resources on the wings and at LB and GK

 

[Muttley]

Id try to get them both on 3 year deals (two year extensions). That timeframe works well with Gray's emergence. And it allows us to focus resources on the wings and at LB and GK

Would a 27 year old with one year left on his contract only take a 2 year extension though?

Also Gray is great, but you probably need about 5 or 6 players that can play 6 or 8 in your squad. We currently have Biss, Bents, Sarr, Gray and Bergval. That engine room is a brutally tough position and potentially where you make the subs each game.

 

[Bishop]

Would a 27 year old with one year left on his contract only take a 2 year extension though?

Also Gray is great, but you probably need about 5 or 6 players that can play 6 or 8 in your squad. We currently have Biss, Bents, Sarr, Gray and Bergval. That engine room is a brutally tough position and potentially where you make the subs each game.

The issue with Gray is we don't actually know how well he can perform as a DM at this level, we've never seen it. We also know that Bissouma and Bentancur are good at the role but inconsistent.

For me the sensible choice would to be either throw Gray into the role in the short term or more prudently buy a quality DM now and have Gray and that person compete for the role. It would give Gray growing space and development time without too much pressure but also address a consistent trouble area for us.

It's nice to develop younger players but the way to do it effectively is to have them compete with older more complete players so they have something to measure up against. We also can't afford to just wait to see if Gray is actually of the level required because is the possibility he won't be.

 

[Muttley]

The issue with Gray is we don't actually know how well he can perform as a DM at this level, we've never seen it. We also know that Bissouma and Bentancur are good at the role but inconsistent.

For me the sensible choice would to be either throw Gray into the role in the short term or more prudently buy a quality DM now and have Gray and that person compete for the role. It would give Gray growing space and development time without too much pressure but also address a consistent trouble area for us.

It's nice to develop younger players but the way to do it effectively is to have them compete with older more complete players so they have something to measure up against. We also can't afford to just wait to see if Gray is actually of the level required because is the possibility he won't be.

I'd definitely want Gray, Sarr and Bergval on long contracts. Then Ange needs to consider what he can get out of the other youngsters. For me, Devine was our best midfielder in a couple of the pre-season games. I liked what I saw from Hall as well, whilst Abbott seems to be highly regarded as well. If we were to go big and buy an elite, older DM, I wonder whether the strength of our squad could allow both Bents and Biss to leave.

 

[braineclipse]

I'd definitely want Gray, Sarr and Bergval on long contracts. Then Ange needs to consider what he can get out of the other youngsters. For me, Devine was our best midfielder in a couple of the pre-season games. I liked what I saw from Hall as well, whilst Abbott seems to be highly regarded as well. If we were to go big and buy an elite, older DM, I wonder whether the strength of our squad could allow both Bents and Biss to leave.

Some way down the line I think that could happen. Short term I think one in one out in DM would be good if we can find the right player in. Then see how others develop.

 

[Muttley]

Some way down the line I think that could happen. Short term I think one in one out in DM would be good if we can find the right player in. Then see how others develop.

As you know, I'm not down on Bents and Biss as much as some are. It's just an interesting contractual situation.

Forgetting my Spurs bias for a moment, I've tried to put myself in their positions. They have current low salaries and will know what players around them are earning. We all do. A 2 year extension would be of no interest to me when I know my transfer value would reflect last year of my contract and I can pre-sign for another club on a 4-year deal next summer. In Bentancur's case, why would I want to stay in the PL anyway after recent activities?

I actually wish we didn't have this problem right now. It would have been perfect to make these decisions in 2 years time.

 

[Lemonade Money]

I'd be up for bringing Modric back for a season or two.

 

[braineclipse]

As you know, I'm not down on Bents and Biss as much as some are. It's just an interesting contractual situation.

Forgetting my Spurs bias for a moment, I've tried to put myself in their positions. They have current low salaries and will know what players around them are earning. We all do. A 2 year extension would be of no interest to me when I know my transfer value would reflect last year of my contract and I can pre-sign for another club on a 4-year deal next summer. In Bentancur's case, why would I want to stay in the PL anyway after recent activities?

I actually wish we didn't have this problem right now. It would have been perfect to make these decisions in 2 years time.

If both had longer contracts I think we would still want one out to bring in a new player. I guess I'm more down on them than you are, but less than some I would say. But I think both offer a bit too little to be the solution for the next two years.

 

[Muttley]

If both had longer contracts I think we would still want one out to bring in a new player. I guess I'm more down on them than you are, but less than some I would say. But I think both offer a bit too little to be the solution for the next two years.

I loved the Klopp model of collecting midfielders especially in the lead up to winning the CL and league title back to back. You almost can't have enough if you want to operate at the top table. In a 4-3-3 you have to keep that intensity in the engine room all season.

We found out the hard way. We thought we had it sussed with Wanyama, Dembele, Winks and Dier for our double pivot. We always knew Dembele would need replacing at some point, but look how quickly it fell apart, as it did on the Erisken / Dele dependency.

Here we are 5 years later and we have never really solved it. We are closer than ever though. We have 5 midfielders for the 2 slots and we have Kulu and Madds for the other. 7 perm 3 is still not enough though.

 

[glasgowspur]

I loved the Klopp model of collecting midfielders especially in the lead up to winning the CL and league title back to back. You almost can't have enough if you want to operate at the top table. In a 4-3-3 you have to keep that intensity in the engine room all season.

We found out the hard way. We thought we had it sussed with Wanyama, Dembele, Winks and Dier for our double pivot. We always knew Dembele would need replacing at some point, but look how quickly it fell apart, as it did on the Erisken / Dele dependency.

Here we are 5 years later and we have never really solved it. We are closer than ever though. We have 5 midfielders for the 2 slots and we have Kulu and Madds for the other. 7 perm 3 is still not enough though.

Our problem was that Dembele and Eriksen had unique skillsets that we couldn't just unplug them and plug someone else in (like klopp did at pool).
It meant that not only were we replacing two players but it was a massive adjustment of style. One we never had a chance to see to fruition.

 

[Kandi1977]

We should look to sign Edon Zhegrova from Lille. He looks excellent.

The 'random name generator' has been in overdrive lately!

 

[Raziel]

As you know, I'm not down on Bents and Biss as much as some are. It's just an interesting contractual situation.

Forgetting my Spurs bias for a moment, I've tried to put myself in their positions. They have current low salaries and will know what players around them are earning. We all do. A 2 year extension would be of no interest to me when I know my transfer value would reflect last year of my contract and I can pre-sign for another club on a 4-year deal next summer. In Bentancur's case, why would I want to stay in the PL anyway after recent activities?

I actually wish we didn't have this problem right now. It would have been perfect to make these decisions in 2 years time.

Bentancur is the guy that made Conte's brick 2 man (constantly outnumbered) midfield work. It's been a long road back from serious injury but pre-injury the guy was very close to the next WC player in our squad. I'd have no issue giving him 3 years (provided the medical team is confident he's fully back).

Why would he? he's already won league titles in Italy, so where would he go that is a step up from Spurs? both in chances to win and salary? (sure if Madrid or Barca come calling but I don't see it, don't think he does either) I don't think the ban really changes his mind about playing in England, hurt the club more than him, he's probably going to have the best 2nd half of season due to nice rest in middle.

I think the interesting questions for the club are more Richi, Davies, Bissouma (personal view, big gap inbetween him and Bentancur), even potentially Maddison (if he still isn't fixed starter at end of season) plus still issue of long term Son replacement