Toon88

Barnes has low dribble success rate. and? It’s just a graph, similar to that xA. Barnes makes up for it by doing the one thing many people or other wingers find difficult. He puts the ball in the back of the net. Consistently, it would appear. The most important part of the game, and the very thing which wins you games, and the very thing you will be cheering and celebrating him do this season.

—————-Isak/Wilson————-— -Barnes/ASM——Gordon/Almiron/JM —————--Bruno G———————— -Big Joe/Willock—-Tonali/Longstaff- -Tierney?—Botman-Schar—Trippier- —-—-——The Pope———————- not bad. LB (possibly Tierney) & CB now. Not sure we bring in anymore attacking options now.

Maehle & Federico Dimarco

Depending on the budget remaining, if it’s tight, then someone like Tosin Adarabioyo on a free as back up, would be sensible business. Quick, strong and aerially very good. LB is either Tierney or someone out of the blue.

agree. To get where city are, you need players to be ruthless and clinical. Barnes does that, he’s direct, and scores goals. Fee is not extortionate, either.

Exactly. As soon as Barnes bangs a few goals, which he will, then these people defending ASM will quickly forget him. It’s how football works. Fickle. Loved ASM for us, but 12 goals in 112 games for his position is an awful return, hence why the club are upgrading on him.

Gordon/Barnes on left is solid. I wouldn’t go further than that tho almiron, Murphy on the right is pretty dire imo. Barnes at £35m is prob an opportunity they couldn’t miss. He’s a proven PL winger and scores goals. Just not giving me a hard on though.

Yeah, i know it’s been upgraded, but it does look pretty b rate. Leicester spent £100m on their state of the art facility, just for comparison.

Apparently we are looking at around €42m/£35m fee. Won’t go anywhere near €60m, nor will anyone else. There’s no smoke without fire. He’s clearly available, and being touted around. Had a big injury, fallen out with Allegri, and Juve have no CL football, and the financial blow that has caused. There’s a deal to be made.

No chance of €60m with that injury. I’ve seen a couple of reported fees around the £35m mark, which would be the reason we are interested. I think we could manage his wages, once he knows his options are possibly limited.

One shocking injury, is all.

I’d rather have a world class crock, than a bang average crock. He’s also probably quite affordable, given the Italian market, hence why we are shopping there.

9th January, 2022

2 goals in last 21 games. Having said that, he’s still recovering, and that’s why we have a chance, and others might be hesitant. There’s Barnes, Lundstrom, Diaby, Spertysan…….. and then there’s f***ing Federico Chiesa!!!! Now that’s what we should be targetting. Elite level, that is not just a small upgrade on what we already have. Yes, the injury was bad, but the potential & ceiling of Chiesa is levels above the rest. Must try and get this done.

Left ASM/Gordon Right Almiron/Diaby/Murphy I don’t think these combo’s are going to take us to the next level in my opinion. Needs a real statement signing. I can’t really get excited about anyone linked so far, so hoping Ashworth just drops a name out of nowhere.

Few concerns on Diaby. Bundesliga stats are misleading, as we’ve seen with Havertz/Sancho types. Apparently, we have the ‘free run’ at him. That’s never good. It means nobody else wants him, or values him above £50m. The other concern is, he’s not really elite for that kind of money, and he’s only on the fringes of International football. Physically he might be rapid, but he still might need to bulk up, and take time to adapt to the demands and physicality of the PL. I know some have concerns on Barnes, but he’s £15m/£20m cheaper and proven in the PL.

They didn’t offer. At the most an enquiry. It’s always been Gvardiol. It’s just more nonsense to get some clicks. He’s going nowhere.

Again, nonsense. They want Gvardiol and a deal pretty much done.

Must of passed everyone, the fact Bonucci is retiring in June 2024. Big announcement by all made about it a while back. Just a lazy journo story because we’ve got Tonali. Awful. Got to be one of the worst links I’ve seen. Move on.

Yeah, but it’s the same with Soton demanding £45m for Ward-Prowse. They are just figures that nobody will pay, and it will get to August and Balogun will end up at Burnley or somewhere for £25m. He’s had one good year in a tinpot French league. The year before he banged 2 goals in 18 games for M’Boro in the Championship.

I don’t believe any source or rumour. Club is running on a much more professional level now, and has given the cold shoulder to all journos. Tonali & Livramento…..nobody had a clue. I’d expect the same on our next target. It will be a new name as of yet not mentioned.

Yeah, it all makes headlines, but similar to Chelsea, they will now clear the deadwood. That’s what these clubs can do, given their squad sizes. Think we will return for Tierney at some point. Wouldn’t give them anything over £30m though.

I’m not fussed. Barnes is proven in the PL though, and just banged 13 goals in a poor side. Doubt we pay £50m though. Diaby is a ? Good at Leverkusen, but so was Havertz. Sancho had great stats at Dortmund, and then came here and flopped. It’s not like we’re paying £60m for Diaby and he’s a top French international. He’s basically on the fringes at that level. Still a risk, for me. I think we will pass on both, and end up with a name we haven’t even been linked with yet.

Anywhere around the £50m is the going rate. Not sure why anyone should be surprised at them demanding that kind of fee, especially given PL inflation. I’d probably see what else is around Europe before committing to Barnes, but he’s a certain upgrade on ASM. 13 goals last season is an impressive haul.

How do you know? You obvious don’t trust Ashworth or Howe very highly, do you? As I’ve said before, there seems to be this ridiculous notion that every signing has to be £60m+ now, or in the Tonali range, otherwise they’re crap. It’s laughable. There are great players out there, at a fraction of PL prices. It’s what Brighton and other European clubs across Europe do, with effective scouting networks. Merely signing someone who doesn’t go missing for 2/3 of the season injured would already be a significant upgrade.