PlymouthGeordie

Not a chance. He hasn't played a full season since his loan at West Brom. His game is also based on being quick over the first 5 yards, something he's likely lost as a result of injuries and time catching up with him. He's also on 50k a week and annoyingly he has 2 years left on his deal. As someone else has said, he'll leave on a heavily subsidised loan or he'll stay. I certainly wouldn't back him to bag 25 goals in the championship either.

Now that I agree on. My big hope is we don't splurge big on DCL, Gordon or Harrison as Howe does like British players but they're often overhyped and over priced.

At least they compete athletically and physically. It is a minimum requirement of top level football and regrettably Shelvey and Longstaff struggle with it.

Each to their own. You obviously enjoy the sight of Shelvey and Longstaff running through treacle.

I don't see RW as a priority. We have Murphy, Fraser and Almiron all of whom could play there. Are they top 6 standard? No, but they all offer something different and graft for the team. It's good enough for another season. You could even add Joelinton to that list. A CM could transform us from a counter attacking team to one that keeps possession and controls games. As someone else has said, it also allows us to stay strong in that department should Bruno get injured or suspended. If it was a straight choice, I'd want Pacueta over Diaby.

Tielemans is great on the ball but lacks mobility. I'm not sure he'd be a huge upgrade on Shelvey.

Given Barca, Arsenal and Spurs are in for Raphina it is likely a non starter. A front 3 of ASM, Wilson and Raphina would be some forward line though.

Be interested to see who we target next in that position.

After Botman and Ekitike I'd say Calvert-Lewin is one of the most linked players. Not that I want him mind.

If Bailey is correct I think the club has done the right thing. A deal with Reims was agreed ages ago and the player/agent had ample time to agree or decline the terms on offer.

Pope would be a big upgrade on Dubravka. Neither are great with distribution but Pope has a great command of his box, is a better shot stopper and bigger talker. 30 is young for a keeper too. We'd easily get 5 years out of him.

ExWHU employee is really reliable. More accurate than most journalists, especially when it comes to West Ham news.

It's not really a fan's job to know is it. I'm sure Nickson, Howe and Ashworth have enough information and knowledge between them to have a plan B, C & D. I fail to believe Ekitike is the only forward player available for between 25m - 35m that improves us.

Regardless of the cause of the delay, multiple journalists have reported for weeks we've agreed a fee with Reims; their owner as good as confirmed it too. I think we need to say to the player and or agent that this deal has been in place for weeks; either sign it and show us you want to join or we'll be moving on to other targets by the end of the week.

At this point I'd walk away from Ekitike. His situation is different from Botman as we've agreed a deal with Reims but he's waiting for a better offer, one that may not even arrive. With Botman, I hope what Edwards reported is correct and we've put the clock on our current offer to Lille.

If Howe took the same viewpoint as a lot of our fans he wouldn't be here. He was the owners 2nd choice behind Emery. Football is fickle. I've no problem with Botman preferring Milan but if that move doesn't materialise and he's also happy to come here I'd have him in a heartbeat. He's fighting to be in the Dutch squad at the world cup, he'll want to prove himself capable of playing in the Premier League etc. If he signs for us it'll be because he wants to come and he'll have plenty of reasons to give the move his all. We've just signed Targett but if we didn't and he went to Fulham (who were reportedly interested) I really doubt Fulham fans would care that we were his preferred club.

Lots of people in the replies seem to think he has a release clause of 35m. I'd be surprised if it was that low when Miggy's is 60m (according to his agent).

Agreed. He rinsed Tomiyasu first half but didn't overdo it and made the right decision to either pass or run with it time and again.

Forgot how good Wilson is with him being out for so long. Makes such a difference to us. Bruno was motm for me but Wilson, Miggy and Longstaff all superb. It's the best Longstaff has played in a long time.

Absolutely this. Our back 4 is criminally slow. Even Trippier got roasted for pace for the 4th goal yesterday by Grealish who is hardly known for being quick. Given it was his first game back and positionally he normally protects himself well I don't think Trippier is a worry though. I'm starting to think we should pass on Targett. He is good, much better than what we have but if we want to play high and press ggressively I'd argue we need someone quicker at LB. You're absolutely right regarding a CB too. We need someone quick and good on the ball to edge either Schar or Burn on to the bench. Lascelles, Targett, Fede, Clark, Lewis and Manquillo could all go this summer. We'd then need a new 2x CB and a LB to give us a pool of 8 defenders to choose from.

That header should be bread and butter for Wood. It's meant to be his biggest strength but he's missed a few like that for us. Dubravka obviously poor for the second goal but we have done ok. If we manage to get the next goal it would definitely play on their nerves/fears.

Yeah I agree. Trippier, Schar, Dummett, Burn and a new LB (probably Targett) will all be on the books. I think we'll also keep Krafth and Lascelles which leaves room for another CB. We'll then have Targett, Dummett and Burn who can all play LB. Burn, Dummett, Schar, Lascelles and new player to play CB and Trippier and Krafth at RB. Plenty of cover. I genuinely only see us signing 4 players maximum, one of which will be Targett. We'll then add a CB, RW, and a striker.

I agree he's no better than Schar or Burn but he's a big step up on Fede, Clarke, Lascelles. I agree on Lingard because we have Joelinton, ASM, Fraser, Bruno, Willock and Miggy who all offer something in advanced positions. Age has caught up with Fede and Clark and as for Lascelles, he isn't comfortable with the ball, and lacks both pace & positional sense. As we're in for a gradual build by all accounts, I think some improvements will be incremental and made with an eye on saving the budget for key positions (RW and CF). Signing Tarkowski allows the budget to go further whilst also providing depth which won't weaken the first 11.

I think the club (based on the reported budged being less than we spent in January) will target players either out of contract or with only 12 months to run. With that in mind, I think they'll target the following: CB - Tarkowski. He's proven in the PL and a clear upgrade on Lascelles. I think we're guaranteed to go in for Tarkowski personally. He provides genuine competition at the back and won't impact FFP. LB - Targett. Been great for us and plenty of reports a fee of 15m is already agreed in principle. DM - Bissouma. Good age, strong, quick, good on the ball, proven in the PL and only has 12 months left on his deal so will be relatively cheap. Alternatively, Kamara on a free. RW: This needs to be a big upgrade. Personally I doubt Raphina is achievable for us but he'd be a stellar signing. ST: As with RW, for us to really kick on this needs to be a top player i.e. Nunez, Tammy, Schick, Toney. Again, how realistic these are I'm unsure.