Winter Transfer Window Scouting Thread 23/24

[ajspurs]

Watching the game today does just again remind how good it would be to bring in a top quality WF. Unfortunately we won’t spend the money necessary but it would make a big difference imo

Yeah today made it obvious really. Not that we're going to miss chances like that every game and Johnson, Kulusevski, Solomon and Gil all have different talents but none of them have that conviction in front of goal, or will be renowned for simply scoring goals.

It's one of the big reasons as to why Liverpool have been known to be so dangerous over the years, in both the league and Europe. They've often had three dangerous and quality finishers in their front line, with it often being hard to keep all three of them out of the game.

We've had this discussion before but it will be truly exciting if through links in the media it seems that we're looking at front men in that higher quality range. Thinking about Liverpool makes me think that it's that Diaz type signing that we were supposedly close to pulling off that we need to be aiming for.

 

[brasil_spur]

Watching the game today does just again remind how good it would be to bring in a top quality WF. Unfortunately we won’t spend the money necessary but it would make a big difference imo

Didn’t see that as issue today actually, mostly because all the crosses in the world won’t help if no one is there to finish them. I though Johnson, Kulu and Gil all stretched Villa a fair bit.

 

[WiganSpur]

Won't all come in January but over the next two windows i'd love to see:

- Right winger
- Striker
- Quality midfield player to replace Skipp and PEH
- 2 centre backs
- Left back cover

 

[WiganSpur]

Didn't we just spend on Brennan Johnson?

Johnson is a good player and better than I thought he was. But I can't see him becoming world class and making it as a starter for us. I reckon he'll prove to be a very useful squad player for us over the next few years.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I think the problem is many of the established players like that, just won't come to us.

We need a Salah type signing. Someone we know has ability but maybe it hasn't quite worked out elsewhere.

A genuine top quality player who is currently performing to such a level is not easy to find.

Thing is Salah type signings are very very rare these days, can you think of one player out there that would fit that bracket?

Looking around at the leagues someone like Kvaratskhelia would be the perfect fit for our tactics but obviously well beyond our price range. Outside of that our best bet would be to take someone who has already excelled at a smaller club but that is still a high price bracket. Hypothetically a player like Neto say, if he didn’t have injury issues, would be a great buy but would we actually pay the money it would take to get him? Wolves would probably be looking for £60 mil one would think. If not more.

Olise is another one but he supposedly has a £65 mil release clause. Again we won’t pay that especially as release clauses are supposedly paid in one go. Even Raphinha who I don’t rate and don’t see as the answer would still be in the £60/70 mil price range.

Chiesa another one, has his injury issues and his contract is running down so possibly might make him more accessible but would probably still cost around £50 mil.

I actually think all those aforementioned players would come to us if we spent the money. And yes I included kvaratskhelia in that. These are just some examples of course, there are others.

Idk, I just struggle seeing us spend even £50 mil on a WF which really does put us firmly in the young/unproven bracket. As I said there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and there are some players that look very exciting out there which have been mentioned in this thread. It just would be nice for once to plump up and really go for a more established player in that key position who we know would immediately improve the start and could make a big difference straight off the bat.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Didn’t see that as issue today actually, mostly because all the crosses in the world won’t help if no one is there to finish them. I thought Johnson, Kulu and Gil all stretched Villa a fair bit.

I’m not saying they are bad, i actually found all three looking very positive including Gil. I just think their end product can be lacking at times and I’m just not sure any of them have the potential to be top tier. Thing is this isn’t some new revelation from today’s game, I’ve personally been feeling all season that our wingers just aren’t quite there. Doesn’t mean I don’t rate them or think they are bad but personally I think a player of Maddison’s calibre would make a big difference. Fair enough if you disagree tho.

 

[dontcallme]

Thing is Salah type signings are very very rare these days, can you think of one player out there that would fit that bracket?

Looking around at the leagues someone like Kvaratskhelia would be the perfect fit for our tactics but obviously well beyond our price range. Outside of that our best bet would be to take someone who has already excelled at a smaller club but that is still a high price bracket. Hypothetically a player like Neto say, if he didn’t have injury issues, would be a great buy but would we actually pay the money it would take to get him? Wolves would probably be looking for £60 mil one would think. If not more.

Olise is another one but he supposedly has a £65 mil release clause. Again we won’t pay that especially as release clauses are supposedly paid in one go. Even Raphinha who I don’t rate and don’t see as the answer would still be in the £60/70 mil price range.

Chiesa another one, has his injury issues and his contract is running down so possibly might make him more accessible but would probably still cost around £50 mil.

I actually think all those aforementioned players would come to us if we spent the money. And yes I included kvaratskhelia in that. These are just some examples of course, there are others.

Idk, I just struggle seeing us spend even £50 mil on a WF which really does put us firmly in the young/unproven bracket. As I said there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and there are some players that look very exciting out there which have been mentioned in this thread. It just would be nice for once to plump up and really go for a more established player in that keyboard position who we know would immediately improve the start and could make a big difference straight off the bat.

Totally agree. It’s really challenging. I just think buying a genuine top player ahead of our rivals is a really big ask.

We’ve had really good success in the transfer market recently with signings like Udogie, Sarr, VDV etc. They haven’t taken that long to become important first team players.

I’m happy for our signings to continue with the same model for now.

 

[dontcallme]

Johnson is a good player and better than I thought he was. But I can't see him becoming world class and making it as a starter for us. I reckon he'll prove to be a very useful squad player for us over the next few years.

My point was on the amount we spent though.

 

[WiganSpur]

My point was on the amount we spent though.

All things considered £45m for a useful homegrown option at a good age is not excessive. Starter options like Eze, Guehi, Anthony Gordon etc are going to cost you double.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Totally agree. It’s really challenging. I just think buying a genuine top player ahead of our rivals is a really big ask.

We’ve had really good success in the transfer market recently with signings like Udogie, Sarr, VDV etc. They haven’t taken that long to become important first team players.

I’m happy for our signings to continue with the same model for now.

Oh for sure we have certainly done very well of late and I’m more than happy to carry on the way we have. Assuming the calibre is the same now the team has changed.

It’s just one of those daydreams really. It’s not our MO so one can’t be upset about it not happening, just as hypocritical tho i think it would elevate us a lot and could really make a difference.

 

[dontcallme]

All things considered £45m for a useful homegrown option at a good age is not excessive. Starter options like Eze, Guehi, Anthony Gordon etc are going to cost you double.

If we spend £90m on Gordon we’d be seriously crazy.

 

[dontcallme]

Oh for sure we have certainly done very well of late and I’m more than happy to carry on the way we have. Assuming the calibre is the same now the team has changed.

It’s just one of those daydreams really. It’s not our MO so one can’t be upset about it not happening, just as hypocritical tho i think it would elevate us a lot and could really make a difference.

At the moment I think we need 2 new centre backs, probably 2 more wing backs, 1 centre midfielder, 1 playmaker and either a striker or a wing forward to complete our squad.

Once we’re close to that the next step is spending big on individuals. We still have a squad to build before we do that.

 

[WiganSpur]

If we spend £90m on Gordon we’d be seriously crazy.

I'm not saying we should but you think Newcastle would take much less now? It's pretty inarguable that £45m for Johnson is the going rate for a homegrown rotation player for a top team.

 

[dontcallme]

I'm not saying we should but you think Newcastle would take much less now? It's pretty inarguable that £45m for Johnson is the going rate for a homegrown rotation player for a top team.

I’m not convinced Gordon is much better than Johnson. I’d hate for us to completely change our transfer strategy and start spending £90m on players.

Wreaks of when West Ham wanted a £20m striker and bought Ayew for £20m.

 

[Cambridge Spur]

Need a top class striker

 

[King of the Lane]

Thing is Salah type signings are very very rare these days, can you think of one player out there that would fit that bracket?

Looking around at the leagues someone like Kvaratskhelia would be the perfect fit for our tactics but obviously well beyond our price range. Outside of that our best bet would be to take someone who has already excelled at a smaller club but that is still a high price bracket. Hypothetically a player like Neto say, if he didn’t have injury issues, would be a great buy but would we actually pay the money it would take to get him? Wolves would probably be looking for £60 mil one would think. If not more.

Olise is another one but he supposedly has a £65 mil release clause. Again we won’t pay that especially as release clauses are supposedly paid in one go. Even Raphinha who I don’t rate and don’t see as the answer would still be in the £60/70 mil price range.

Chiesa another one, has his injury issues and his contract is running down so possibly might make him more accessible but would probably still cost around £50 mil.

I actually think all those aforementioned players would come to us if we spent the money. And yes I included kvaratskhelia in that. These are just some examples of course, there are others.

Idk, I just struggle seeing us spend even £50 mil on a WF which really does put us firmly in the young/unproven bracket. As I said there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and there are some players that look very exciting out there which have been mentioned in this thread. It just would be nice for once to plump up and really go for a more established player in that keyboard position who we know would immediately improve the start and could make a big difference straight off the bat.

It's why I think we will need to take a gamble on a young player with massive potential - my 2 picks are Nusa and Bakayoko. This model has proven to work for us, see Udogie, VDV, Vicario etc.

We arent going to spend on the finished article so we should continue with our transfer strategy. My only worry is we have parted ways with all those that have done so well for us (Paratici and Gabby etc) so I hope the new team can do well for us too.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Just get the right players brought in and we will be just fine.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

I’m not saying they are bad, i actually found all three looking very positive including Gil. I just think their end product can be lacking at times and I’m just not sure any of them have the potential to be top tier. Thing is this isn’t some new revelation from today’s game, I’ve personally been feeling all season that our wingers just aren’t quite there. Doesn’t mean I don’t rate them or think they are bad but personally I think a player of Maddison’s calibre would make a big difference. Fair enough if you disagree tho.

i think you are absolutely spot on and I think we’ve both been banging the winger drum for a while.

Imagine Doku in our team under Ange for example. That type of player who can just consistently blitz people in space or tight areas and cause chaos would absolutely transform us.

The difficulty is finding someone who is explosive, a two way dribbler AND who has end product and goal threat.

I still think the best shout is probably Nico Williams but even he hasn’t become a clinical goalscorer, yet anyway.

Finding that elite tier winger is the missing piece in terms of our starting 11 imo.

 

[Aay_Jay_Dee]

Forgot that we’ve got Vuskovic coming, albeit a little while away. We have some decent up and coming CBs in our youth team. Still need to strengthen but I wouldn’t want to block all pathways to the first team even if it is on the bench. Ange has to trust them first which I’m not so sure he does yet (although I do think Phillips may have started today if he didn’t get injured)

 

[RJR1949]

Johnson is a good player and better than I thought he was. But I can't see him becoming world class and making it as a starter for us. I reckon he'll prove to be a very useful squad player for us over the next few years.

Johnson reminds me very much of Son when he first arrived at the club. I have high hopes