Considering he just signed a new deal last October, there is no sense of we sell for less than 20m but if upwards of 35m and with add ons, we might be interested especially if the player himself wants it. But I think it’s still speculation and exploration at this point.
If this happens, it would have to mean we are bringing a CB in. I’m already concerned at the idea of going in to next season with our existing 4 (Virj, Ibou, Gomez and Quansah) and Endo as back up.
Those numbers (4 CB’s and 8 defenders in total, although question mark over Frimpong as a defender in a 4 remains for me until he shows it) are fine to me. Quality, lack of better competition and availability of some can be the issue. That said, I do understand defence is a part of the pitch you don’t change very often. Still, it’s about time we inject some new quality at CB. And I expect us to do it.
I have been wrong on these things, but I would be very surprised if we sold. It seems all of these stories are coming from an interested club seeing a possible opportunity and presenting them as us and/or the player looking for an exit for him without there being any actual interest on either of our parts to make that happen.
I get why teams are interested and want to test the waters. There may come in an offer that raises our head or his. But I would still surprised to see him not here come the close of the window.
A good buyback clause could be helpful. If he could level up after 2-3 years, then we could get him back. He doesn’t have much chance to improve with us.
Perhaps we’ve got huge confidence in Wellity Lucky?
That being said, I’d prefer to let Gomez go rather than Quansah.
As for Isak; 100%. We’d manage his fitness far better than Newcastle could, given our depth of options up front that allow for the rotation needed to maintain our high energy style.