Joey47

Diego Simeone's son? Didn't know he had a son that played football

Do we need to stop dismissing everything he says? As much as he is a cunt I'm starting to think he's one of the most reliable (apart from when it comes to budgets)

The real version of him knows his stuff

ahhh it had me for a second

Didn't we offer Sevilla around 30m in Jan? I think I remember them asking for something like 40/50m.

Very good list, I'd also add Pau Torres although a bit higher profile than your names.

Alcott has suggested we sign Cody Gakpo who I had never really heard of. Time for a youtube scouting session

Great video. Dunno if there's a better thread for this question but what's everyone's favourite goal since the takeover?

Never conisdered that but it makes sense. Also dangerous though, they could end up like Everton (even if not to the same extent) while we build a solid base slowly and meticulously.

Yeah, I don't get the people turning their noses up at Gray, think he'd be a good signing. He's better than Almiron, Murphy, and Fraser. More direct than Maxi too and a better striker of the ball.

Rafa played Gray as a second striker a fair bit this season.

Has he always preferred that formation or has it been one he has been forced to play due to players at his disposal? You could also say that for the first time ever he has a chance to buy high calibre players for a system he has always wanted to play but hasn't been able to. I also think that Howe sticking with 4-3-3 is more likely than him reverting back to 4-4-2. https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/eddie-howe-newcastle-bournemouth-tactics/ This article talks about how he tried to switch to a 4-3-3 in the 19/20 season but his squad didn't suit the shape and he was forced to revert to a 4-4-2.

I really believe that Howe wants to move to a 3 at the back formation next season. Towards the end of his Bournemouth career he started to use the 3-4-3 that beat conte's Chelsea more and more frequently. Also if he plans on sticking to a back 4 it wouldn't make sense to sign Lodi (who struggles defensively in a back 4) over Targett. The 3-4-3 would work well for Maxi as well, it would allow him to play as on the left wing but with less defensive responsibility.

Would that not suggest that the defense playing in front of him are allowing him to be exposed to a lot of high quality shots(high xG shots) ?

Ekitike has been linked to so many clubs. Off the top of my head I've seen him linked to: NUFC, Liverpool, Dortmund, Arsenal, Brentford, PSG

Where is Beale going? I remember reading about him when we were still looking for a manager and were linked to Gerrard. I was actually ready to accept Gerrard purely because this Beale guy sounded like a genius.

Can watch two of our Striker transfer targets in the same game in 30 mins. Reims vs Nice - Ekitikie vs Gouiri

Would make sense for him to follow Ten Hag in theory I guess. Based on pure talent Antony must be up there with the best young players in the world. How reliable is this Journo? He's the same one that's recently said we're signing Lodi right?

Please no

If it's an indication of anything it's probably that things are going to start moving at a faster pace now that we are mathematically safe.

Just because he's a class above everyone else in Villa's squad doesn't make him a bargain. James Rodriguez was clearly a class above everyone in Everton's squad last year, was he a bargain? He's only a bargain if he performs well, adds to Villa's squad and helps them progress, not just because he's a big name player going for a low transfer fee. I'm not saying this signing is guaranteed to fail, it just feels like the more likely outcome, in which case Villa have Coutinho's 70% less than 400k on their books for 4 years. It just feels like a James to Everton, Bale on loan to to Tottenham. Even Ronaldo to Manu this year, he's performed well but did he help manu progress?

Don't get me wrong, I would be extremely happy if we signed Raphinha, I think he's a fantastic player. Just didn't agree with him being a million times better signing than Danjuma who you seemed to be dismissing.

Good point on the pay cut. I can't deny that if we were signing Coutinho I would be excited about it. But I feel like the signing has more of a chance to go sideways than Villa getting the Coutinho of pre-Barca.

I mean he hasn't performed very well at all for Villa so far (bar a couple of games against lower table teams). As someone mentioned above it feels like a very James Rodriguez esque signing. Similar in that they are both clearly world class talents but both aging and question marks over their hunger and desire. Barcelona will be snapping Villas hands off for £17m and getting 400k(iirc) off their wage bill. Not strange at all to not view this as an incredible signing.