Realistic Transfer Targets (2025/26)

[The Butcher]

Maddison and Neves in the summer for about 80m-90m would be canny. 

[Mikky]

11 minutes ago, The Butcher said:

Maddison and Neves in the summer for about 80m-90m would be canny. 

 Both entering last year - get them for 70 I say

[Gallowgate Toon]

19 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

If allowed to push on. He is decent driving forward. 
 

He always had great numbers for yards carried and accurate long balls on the other 14 last season. To go with his impressive defensive stats. 
 

Can’t say I’ve paid as much attention to their Twitter this year. But I’d imagine the numbers are still similar. 
 

Not worth the money he would cost, I agree. But he is more than just an anchor man who mainly only passes it 5-10 yards. 

Watch some of his compilations on YT, if you can be bothered , and there are rarely any great passes in there that you'd expect from a player in the mix for best in his position imo. Agree that he can progress the ball very well when dribbling into space though. Most of my experience of watching him is for England where it feels like he's not been great when we've had a lot of the ball but it feels like he comes alive when games get stretched & he mops up, but this could be tactical.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Neves is a completely different kind of player to Rice though, not really comparable. 

 

Chelsea have just paid £108m for someone who might eventually be as good as him... he's immense. 

 

Would turn Liverpool back into title contenders you'd think, and vastly improve almost any other team in the league.

 

I like Neves but I haven't watched him closely enough to say if he could press and run about like we need. Also would probably wind up our fans with his constant long shots.

 

 

Edited February 8, 2023 by AyeDubbleYoo

[ToonScotman]

I’d pay 80 for rice but that is maximum in the summer he’ll have a year left on his deal. Start at 60 and see what they do.

[Skeletor]

Rice would be quality but can't see it happening. I don't think we have that nasty, ruthless streak in the transfer market and the traditional big clubs will know how to get it done.

[Jaqen]

With Rice you're not just paying for him being young and English but an almost guaranteed success. Aye there's cheaper from abroad but would they be as good as Rice is in this league? 80m for someone who could play in a top 4 side for the next 6 years at least isn't the worst business. 

[mighty__mag]

Already looks top class. Can see why they weren't too worried about losing Trossard. 

 

Would be a good signing. 

[ponsaelius]

I'm not sure I buy the 100+ million fee for Rice. The lad hasn't signed a new contract and tberefore is in the same position as many others with a year left in the summer. I don't think West Ham can keep asking for that.

 

edit: forget that - Wham have an option for another year.

 

 

Edited February 8, 2023 by ponsaelius

[Lush Vlad]

3 hours ago, Gallowgate Toon said:

Watch some of his compilations on YT, if you can be bothered , and there are rarely any great passes in there that you'd expect from a player in the mix for best in his position imo. Agree that he can progress the ball very well when dribbling into space though. Most of my experience of watching him is for England where it feels like he's not been great when we've had a lot of the ball but it feels like he comes alive when games get stretched & he mops up, but this could be tactical.

That could be due to England’s ultra rigid shape and defensive set up, mind  

 

Always impressed me for West Ham and usually does for England. But I think it is hard to shine for certain players in that system. 
 

All moot points, I reckon. Can’t see us being in for him and the quoted figures. 

[cubaricho]

I'd much rather get two players in the mould of Maddison/Navas for the same price as one Rice, to be fair.

 

Also the kid I keep banging on about is officially officially out of our grasp now : https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64515741

[TRC]

Michail Antonio doesn't even mention West Ham potentially keeping Rice on the FFP pod.

[Whitley mag]

In the summer I’d like to see realistically the LB Robinson from Fulham, Kone, Maddison and a young striker from somewhere. Think we’re still a CB short to succeed Fabian long term, but think we might wait to the next window to address that. If St Max is sold to raise funds I’d like to see Diaby replace him. 

[Rich]

Massive praise for Rice from Wilson on the Footballer's Football Podcast, like. He said pretty much what a lot of us had said on here about him running the game and being one of the best around for being able to break up play and move the ball forward for his team. Seems like one of those where our lads have been talking about how good he is/was in the changing room after the game.

 

Antonio was also trying to give some props to Paqueta as well, but Cal wasn't having any of it. 

[Kid Icarus]

If you think Wilson's praise was high, wait til you hear Trippier's on the Rio Ferdinand podcast  I rate Rice like, but not that much. 

 

He said he'd have Rice over Casemiro and Partey

 

 

[r0cafella]

If we were Interested in rice do you think our players would know?

[Rich]

1 hour ago, Kid Icarus said:

If you think Wilson's praise was high, wait til you hear Trippier's on the Rio Ferdinand podcast  I rate Rice like, but not that much. 

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

He said he'd have Rice over Casemiro and Partey

 

 

 

 

Wouldn't necessarily disagree taking everything into account. Casemiro's age/wages and Partey's, ahem, alleged extracurricular activities.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Yeah, decent argument that Rice would be a better signing than either of those. Casemiro was perfect for Man Utd's needs but they also were willing to spend absolutely loads on his wages. 

[McCormick]

Taking into account age and injury history I wouldn’t be far from agreeing with Rio tbh.

[Kid Icarus]

I suppose it depends what he means. If it's who you'd sign, who's suitable, who has the potential etc it makes sense, if it's purely on the players they are now and have been then it's a bit wild like. Casemiro especially. 

 

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by Kid Icarus

[Guest]

Rice could lead us for the next 10 years he seems the sort that could go on until 33-34. If we were upping our wage structure I reckon £80m would be worth it. Class player imo.

[bowlingcrofty]

Reckon you could get Ward Prowse for c£25m if Southampton go down. Put him in the position Bruno’s been playing this season, push Bruno further forward.

[Kid Icarus]

Free kicks aside, I don't rate JWP at all like.

[Coffee_Johnny]

On 08/02/2023 at 14:31, Optimistic Nut said:

Let's get him.

 

 

We could have Gallagher for <= half of that. Different players but either would fit, and improve, our fluid midfield. Especially as I’ve convinced myself (on the basis of nowt much at all) we’re having Maddison in the summer 
 

Bruno, Joelinton, Gallagher/Rice and Maddison = challenging for the title. 

[Lotus]

Apart from Bruno, none of our other CMs have shown the tactical nous needed to protect the back 4. And the back are starting to look like a bit of shielding wouldn't be a bad idea.