14 Apr 2022 13:27:48
Reading that there is a very strong likelihood that we will be buying a number 9 in the summer, regardless of Bamford’s fitness and Gelhardt’s progression into the first team.
Totally logical.
14 Apr 2022 15:08:23
Absolutely and totally logical! Plus about time!
But who might it be, and will we have heard of them? It’s going to be an interesting summer (hopefully! ) .
18 Apr 2022 23:37:52
Pretty sure I saw those same rumours LAST year and were still waiting. I won't hold my breath.
19 Apr 2022 12:35:47
Here's few options that aren't going to break the bank which I think could add to and improve our squad:
DIVOCK ORIGI
*Availability: Free Transfer
*Current Salary: 60k pw
*Interest From: AC Milan
*Notable Contributions 21/ 22: Bit of a quiet season, but has contributed 5 goals in 14 games across EPL, UCL and EFL Cup.
*Attributes: Natural finisher, physical, creates space, powerful aerial ability, solid presser off the ball. Belgian International.
ELIJAH ADEBAYO
*Availability: Free Transfer
*Current Salary: 3.3k pw
*Interest From: Newcastle
*Notable Contributions 21/ 22: Talisman for Luton this season, helping them to a playoff place in the Championship. Has scored 15 and assisted 4 more in 39 games.
*Attributes: Great target man, physical, young, tall, energetic and intelligent movement.
VIKTOR GYOKERES
*Availability: Around 5m
*Current Salary: 5k pw
*Interest From: Nothing speculated
*Notable Contributions 21/ 22: Has contributed 15 goals and 5 assists in 41 games for mid table championship side Coventry. Has been an integral cog this season and helped Coventry to a double over 21/ 22 league winners, Fulham.
*Attributes: The Sweden international has great physicality on and off the ball, good outlet for passers, powerful in the air, solid poacher, forceful runner
JORDAN PEFOK
*Availability: £5-8m
*Current Salary: 13k pw
*Interest From: Venezia (Serie A)
*Notable Contributions 21/ 22: Helped side to 3rd in Swiss Super League, contributing 19 goals and 3 assists in 29, making him the league's top scorer. Has also contributed 5 UCL goals and 1 assist this campaign.
*Attributes: The USA international is tall, has instinctive positioning and finishing ability, quality aerial prowess and is an assured penalty taker.
TAIWO AWONIYI
*Availability: £20-25m
*Current Salary: 35k pw
*Interest From: Newcastle, WHU and Southampton.
*Notable Contributions 21/ 22: the Nigeria International has scored 18 goals and has 4 assists in 38 games this season across Bundesliga, UCL qualifiers and Europa Conference League, helping Union Berlin to 6th place currently.
*Attributes: Pacey, forceful runner, opportunistic finisher, strong aerial ability, makes defenders work and is a real handful.
LUKAS NMECHA
*Availability: £20-25m, although Man City currently have a buy back option with Wolfsburg.
*Current Salary: 10k pw
*Interest From: no current links
*Notable Contributions 21/ 22: The German international has scored 10 goals in 28 games for a languishing Wolfsburg side. He helped Germany U21 to a Euros title in the summer.
*Attributes: Pacey, impressive movement, creates himself space, strong finisher, penalty taker, nice touch, cultured feet and very energetic runner.
LUIS JAVIER SUAREZ
*Availability: £15-20m
*Current Salary: 18k pw
*Interest From: no current links
*Notable Contributions 21/ 22: Granada have had a poor campaign in La Liga this season, but Suarez has still contributed 7 goals and 4 assists, despite a distinct lack of creativity from midfield.
*Attributes: The Colombian international is a direct runner with skillful feet, composed finishing, pace to burn, good interlinking player with neat movement.
Personally I'm a big fan of NMECHA. He'd be a perfect addition to our first team and would compliment some of our attacking players very nicely. His past experinece with Man City also helps with his acclimation to the Prem. I would expect a smooth transition.
LUIS JAVIER SUAREZ would be a great addition, too. Especially if Raphinha does leave, as he has the ability to roam out wide and make incisive runs in when not playing centre forward. His versatility would be welcomed, but he's a strong CF nevertheless and would be challenging for a starting place up top.
GYOKORES is also a strong, cheap option who would add strength in depth to our first team, although possibly more of a squad player than starter, but with immediate potential to grow into a regular starter.
Realistically we will struggle to sign a Prem level experienced striker for what our likely budget will be, so we need to take a measured gamble on players such as these who have the capabilites to fit into our team and hit the ground running.
I can't see us spending much more than £20m on a striker and I wouldn't expect us to given other areas are arguably more important this summer, namely central midfield.
21 Apr 2022 10:37:29
A very insightful post, as always Dilli! Let’s hope that at least one of them is on the radar! ðŸ‘ðŸ»ðŸ‘ðŸ»ðŸ‘ðŸ».
22 Apr 2022 23:47:28
If only you were in charge of recruitment Dillinger instead of the hapless Orta!