Kimbo

Howe seemed to lose confidence in our backup midfielders last season, so it would seem odd to not take the opportunity to shift one and replace him, especially with him in the final year of his contract. We’ll see if anyone offers more, I’m not sure it will happen.

It sounds like West Ham are tough negotiators.

The Wissa and Watkins links have got me believing in the smokescreen theory. There’s no way we’re after those two IMO.

I just looked up Dean Gaffney on wiki to see if he’s still alive and it says Wesley Fofana hit him in a Lamborghini a couple of years ago. He survived.

If we keep him we need to offer him a new contract, and chances are he won’t play a lot next year unless we loan him out. Tbh it’s better for him if he gets a move now.

Leeds would be a good move for him, I think he’ll do well for them if he’s playing regularly.

Good

If he signs with a premier league club for a massively cut price at some point in the next year I’ll be miffed.

I’d rather have Mbeumo than Elanga, he was the big one I wanted this summer. I’d also rather have Elanga playing under Howe than Mbeumo playing under Amorim.

These stats will be ancient history when he’s playing under Amorim.

I feel a few clubs are spending forever negotiating fees these days. Man U still haven’t agreed one for Mbeumo, and Arsenal seem to take a long time as well. On the other hand Liverpool and Man City are pretty quick.

Both are essential, I can’t really choose between them. I think moving Willock on and getting a reliable 4th choice midfielder is important as well.

I think once you accept that we’re doubling down on being an athletic side then it’s hard to see a better option. We weren’t going for Pedro because of his great vision and creativity, it was because for his position he’s strong, can run all day, and can do the physical side if things.

I’m still thinking they’ll need to add another 5. It would be nice to have someone that can take a decent free kick or corner, ours have been pretty dodgy for a while.

I wonder if Bournemouth will sell and replace their entire back line before we buy a CB.

If the club is still hoping they can get Guehi then I think we’re pretty fucked.

It’s obviously not pretty much done.

The big problem is we’re competing with much richer clubs for players. It’s not Brentford and Fulham getting chosen over us. I also doubt Liverpool and Manchester are considered destination cities.

We seemed to be about £15m short for both Trafford and Elanga, then things went quiet. We must have either put in a new bid or moved on by now.

Given his contract is expired I would’ve thought there would be news of him being released by now. My feeling is that he’s negotiating a new contract.

Fortunately Krafth is able to do a decent job during the periods Schar is knocked out.

If Elanga isn’t possible (right now it doesn’t sound like Forest are even naming a price), and we won’t shop abroad, then we may need to stick with Murphy. I’ve been trying to think of a domestic alternative and all I could think of was McAtee. Elliott and Buonanotte aren’t wingers and likely won’t do a better job there than Murphy.

They’re close in age and Elanga is far more proven, and athleticism does matter a lot with our style of play. Elliott over Elanga seems a tough argument to make. I don’t think we’re getting either anyway.

During the transfer window would certainly be the best time to do it.