I thought given this is our most high-profile need this summer and that we’ve had a couple of knock-backs for our most publicised targets, we could refocus the discussion here.
So, no Diomande or Barcola, then. Where does that leave us?
Some of the names others have mentioned:
Rayan
William Gomes
Yankuba Minteh
Any others I can add, or thoughts on the above?
Others mentioned but seem to me to be mainly LW players:
Said el Mala
Bazoumana Traore
Matias Fernandes-Pardo
So, yeah, thoughts on the quality, cost and probability of the above? Doubts? Concerns? Alternative names? Let’s go!
According to Ornstein PSG don’t want to sell and view him at “significantly more than the £116m City paid for Anderson”, so yeah, effectively ruled out lol.
With what PSG are saying about Barcola I’d move on from him as well. Not worth giving them that sort of money and feels like a deal that would drag on and on. Just not worth it.
At this stage I’d prefer a right winger we feel might be able to step up a level (no idea or preference out of the rumored links) and Bowen as back up (if we can get him at a reasonable price) to take some of the pressure off if the main signing needs time.
Bowen as back up might work for letting Abe have a pathway into the squad when he is ready as well.
We could buy a very good left winger and put muñoz or Rio on the right if we can’t get a very good left winger.
I do really like the look of William Gomes. He’s nippy, good dribbler, passes well and is a goal threat. Only 20 ISH too so lots of potential upside and he has played in Europeans competitions.
Mbaye is another at PSG who must be wondering how many opportunities he’s going to get in the coming season. Still very young and raw but the talent is definitely there.
Personally think what we might end up seeing is them allocating those funds earmarked for Diomande to significantly upgrade another area of the team.
Presumably that is the plan if they are as keen on Barcola as we are led to believe.
Another option, use Dom on the right side and get an absolute flyer at RB. In a 4231 I’m not sure I’d want him as one of the deeper midfielders and Wirtz is obviously going to be the main man in the 10.
We could actually approach this differently and just play Rio on the right (like he did for England) and then look for someone really good for the left side, right? Or am I missing something? Are we really that inflexible?
Rio and Munoz can and probably will have game time on the right. Presumably Gakpo stays and will play in the left for much of his game time with perhaps some time in the centre. to balance that out we probably need another wide player comfortable on the right.
Next summer maybe we’ll move him on, can’t see it this summer given how much upheaval there’s already been.
I don’t like the Gerrard comparisons at all, but I can see how Dom as a wide midfielder could replicate something like Gerrard did in the season Rafa shifted him out there. Powerful running, industry, a goal threat and great delivery.
I’ve convinced myself. Play Dom right mid and buy a couple of boss centre mids instead.
