Now That's What I Call Transfer Rumours! 7

[HaydnNUFC]

Tad bit concerned about Bundesliga tax if we do for Szoboszlai but I have no qualms about Howe implementing players from abroad into our side. Would love Maddison here still mind as the bottom line is he's a quality footballer who guarantees goals and assists in the PL.

 

Probably gone over this a million times before but I'd like to see us get a LB*, younger right footed ball playing CB**, more defensive minded CM*** and a RW who could player across the front 3 in the case of an emergency, eg injuries.****

 

*Kieran Tierney

**Mohammed Kudus maybe but unsure on names and unsure if we've even been linked to any CBs yet outside of Kudus and Kim Min Jae who I imagine would cost a hefty wedge.

***Amadou Haidara, Manuel Kone, Khephren Thuram, Edson Alvarez

****Dominik Szoboszlai, James Maddison, Moussa Diaby, Marcus Thuram, Ferran Torres (unsure if Maddison or Szoboszlai would play here tbh like but y'kna)

 

I had a ticket for the True Faith journalist get together thing on Monday but because I was in Edinburgh for Springsteen I couldn't go, but apparently what was said was Howe is allegedly not keen on Diaby which I was disappointed to hear but one of the names we are looking at is Ferran Torres. Unsure what his wages would be but that's what was said.

[AJ9]

54 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I think Murphy is beyond his ceiling if anything, I’d expect a serious decline

Really? I used to think like that but if he continues to do the things he’s been doing this season but maybe improves finishing, decision making and movement in the final third I think he still has space to improve. He has shown he’s bought into the methods and is seriously coachable, whereas I’m unsure if the likes of ASM will ever get it tbh

[Solitude20]

36 minutes ago, Kanji said:

 

No, it coincided with Longstaff getting injured too. I have no doubt that if Longstaff was fit the rest of the season + Willock we'd have seen the Big Joe/Little Joe left side. 

So Eddie would leave out healthy Isak or ASM and play Joelinton as a left winger?

[TRon]

4 minutes ago, Solitude20 said:

So Eddie would leave out healthy Isak or ASM and play Joelinton as a left winger?

 

I think when you put Big Joe and Little Joe together, they work well together because they both can interchange to middle or wide depending on the play. Both can press like monsters as well, but I would imagine it would be Willock with his extra pace who would end up wide more often.

 

The downside would be the goals, but they can both score, and they must be a nightmare to play against.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

30 minutes ago, HaydnNUFC said:

Tad bit concerned about Bundesliga tax if we do for Szoboszlai but I have no qualms about Howe implementing players from abroad into our side. Would love Maddison here still mind as the bottom line is he's a quality footballer who guarantees goals and assists in the PL.

 

Probably gone over this a million times before but I'd like to see us get a LB*, younger right footed ball playing CB**, more defensive minded CM*** and a RW who could player across the front 3 in the case of an emergency, eg injuries.****

 

*Kieran Tierney

**Mohammed Kudus maybe but unsure on names and unsure if we've even been linked to any CBs yet outside of Kudus and Kim Min Jae who I imagine would cost a hefty wedge.

***Amadou Haidara, Manuel Kone, Khephren Thuram, Edson Alvarez

****Dominik Szoboszlai, James Maddison, Moussa Diaby, Marcus Thuram, Ferran Torres (unsure if Maddison or Szoboszlai would play here tbh like but y'kna)

 

I had a ticket for the True Faith journalist get together thing on Monday but because I was in Edinburgh for Springsteen I couldn't go, but apparently what was said was Howe is allegedly not keen on Diaby which I was disappointed to hear but one of the names we are looking at is Ferran Torres. Unsure what his wages would be but that's what was said.

 

Kudus is a midfielder IIRC. 

[TRC]

1 minute ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

 

Kudus is a midfielder IIRC. 

He can play 8/10 

[HaydnNUFC]

So he is. Turns out I haven't got a clue as usual. As you were.

[Menace]

Kudus was very impressive in the world cup I thought. Would be very happy to see him.

[timeEd32]

I think one of the things likely setting some people up for disappointment or confusion in this window is the general perception of Gordon vs. how Ashworth / Howe view him.

 

We know Howe eases players in and we heard from the player himself that his fitness was not up to the standard. Assuming he fixes that I think it's a mistake to assume our first XI doesn't include him or that he's at least not a big part of our plans. I think comments like "Howe clearly likes Joelinton more at LW" or "why did we pay £45M for a squad player?" are making potentially faulty assumptions.

 

It's not clear to me if we like him for his versatility and may use him in a number of positions moving forward or if we used him in a few places out of need. But if we don't bring in an obvious RW or we sell Maxi and don't replace him or if we don't bring in competition for Longstaff then I think it's possible the answer to any of those is Gordon.

[The Prophet]

I think our list will look something like:

 

LB - It seems that we'll be looking at a similar sort of profile to Dan Burn, but with more recovery pace and ability in forward areas. I wouldn't be at all shocked if were looking at someone like Lloyd Kelly. If I'm not mistaken Howe brought him to Bournemouth so he will have a good idea of how good he is and if he'd be a good fit. 

 

RCB - We don't immediately need a RCB but we do need a rotation option for Schar. Ideally a younger player who has the potential to make the step up and eventually replace him. 

 

CM#1 - You'd imagine we'll be looking at a good all rounder for a main midfield target. Thuram and Kone have been mentioned and seem pretty ideal, but Liverpool amongst others are sniffing around both. Whoever we go for will be athletic, good on the ball and probably accustomed to playing high-pressing football.  

 

CM#2 - I think we'll also look at a young prodigy in this area. Guler, Scott and that chap from Celtic have all been linked in recent weeks. 

 

RW - If links are to be believed we want an inverted forward to play on the right, someone in the Maddison or Szoboszlai mould. This makes a lot of sense if we're going to rely on Trippier and his predecessor to provide width down the right. A player who will tuck in and has a creative spark on the ball makes perfect sense. 

 

[The Prophet]

Potentially significant, potentially not. Leipzig are signing Christoph Baumgartner from Hoffenheim for a decent chuck of change. He's played a fair bit as a false nine this season, but he's primarily an attacking midfielder that tends to drift out to the right. He could well be Szoboszlai's replacement. 

[SUPERTOON]

7 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

Potentially significant, potentially not. Leipzig are signing Christoph Baumgartner from Hoffenheim for a decent chuck of change. He's played a fair bit as a false nine this season, but he's primarily an attacking midfielder that tends to drift out to the right. He could well be Szoboszlai's replacement. 

Don’t think there is much doubt about Szoboszlai leaving tbh, if that’s to come here or not is another question.

[khay]

I’m all in thinking we are going for szoboszlai. I’m going to just enjoy the link though and be think “aye. Sounds good” for most transfer and think we have a chance for anyone now. 
 

going to be a relaxing summer if we get one big move in early doors. 

[PauloGeordio]

6 minutes ago, khay said:

I’m all in thinking we are going for szoboszlai. I’m going to just enjoy the link though and be think “aye. Sounds good” for most transfer and think we have a chance for anyone now. 
 

going to be a relaxing summer if we get one big move in early doors. 

Will be great, relaxing I doubt! 

[STM]

I think this window I've finally learned not to believe a word of it, it's only taken me about 18 years of intense transfer speculation to get to this point.

 

I remember getting the bus home from town and buying an evening chronicle reading about how we had signed Scott Parker and then Emre, I've come along way.

 

Whether it be Szobozlai, Veiga or anyone else, this time I'm waiting until something absolute concrete comes through. It will take Ornstein ilk to break me this time.

 

There was no better feeling than last August when out of nowhere we were signing Isak... it was perfect. More of that please. ? 

[Dokko]

That Messi lad is 100% confirmed to leave PSG and looks like a return to Barca is off the table. More than likely he's heading to the Saudi league for more money that Ashley sold us for, but surely a cheeky loan to us is on the cards!  

 

 

[nufcjb]

4 hours ago, pubteam said:

I used to love Dream Team.

Is there anywhere you can watch the series apart from youtube? Could probably help me through the non-football summer watching that again.

[kingxlnc]

I was slightly too young when we signed Shearer. Didn’t know what was going on. The signing that got me most excited and in dreamland was Kluivert, until Isak to a slightly lesser extent last year. Even Ben Arfa who I was a huge fan of, came in on loan only and in a pretty uninspiring team. But Kluivert came into a good team and so did Isak so I thought it was a sign of going to the next level.

 

I wonder if we get a marquee of that ilk. Even if we buy Dominik or Maddison it’s not a world renowned superstar. I’m not saying I want those kind of names as I’d rather get Botman Bruno types that fit the build we’re doing here. But one name that we should have no way of getting would be amazing

[PauloGeordio]

2 minutes ago, kingxlnc said:

I was slightly too young when we signed Shearer. Didn’t know what was going on. The signing that got me most excited and in dreamland was Kluivert, until Isak to a slightly lesser extent last year. Even Ben Arfa who I was a huge fan of, came in on loan only and in a pretty uninspiring team. But Kluivert came into a good team and so did Isak so I thought it was a sign of going to the next level.

 

I wonder if we get a marquee of that ilk. Even if we buy Dominik or Maddison it’s not a world renowned superstar. I’m not saying I want those kind of names as I’d rather get Botman Bruno types that fit the build we’re doing here. But one name that we should have no way of getting would be amazing

Declan Rice! 

[kingxlnc]

I forgot about Owen in terms of superstars signed but i genuinely was never that bothered about him as by that point Souness was in place 

[Shays Given Tim Flowers]

That’s a very fair point re: Owen. We were never going to be a good side when he signed.

[Guest]

41 minutes ago, Shays Given Tim Flowers said:

That’s a very fair point re: Owen. We were never going to be a good side when he signed.

 

I was excited by him like and thought we were sorted. Given in goal, Boumsong, Babayaro and Carr would come good after an iffy first season/half season (ha!), Steven Taylor was going to be our future.

 

Then the front 6...Luque (ha!) and Solano on the wings, Emre and Parker bossing the middle, Shearer and Owen up front.

 

I thought we were going to smash it after that window. 

 

 

 

Edited June 1, 2023 by Optimistic Nut

[Shays Given Tim Flowers]

Remind me who was the manager of that delectable pastiche of footballing talents? 

[Matt1892]

[Dokko]

3 minutes ago, Matt1892 said:

 

Think he's committed to that project (in exchange for obscene money) and welcomes other big names to follow him there. He'll see that as something he did, not the money.