I’d love to see the horror from the rest of the Prem if we somehow went out and signed Isak, too.
But if the speculation is true that the Wirtz fee is being paid in installments over several years, we should be able to fund a CB and a Striker. Especially if we sell Nunez.
Between the two, I’d put CB as a higher priority as I think we can make do with Wirtz as a false 9 in a 4-3-3. Gomez’s and Konate’s injury issues make them unreliable, and Van Dijk is getting up there in age. If the rumors are true about Quanseh, that leaves us with very little depth back there. A young, talented CB is a must.
As for a striker, I have not watched much of Ekitike or Gyokeres. On their face, Ekitike seems to fit more with our policy of pursuing younger players. Gyokeres is five years older. I like Nico Williams, but it doesn’t appear we have been closely linked with him recently despite his release clause. I’m not as sold on Barcola as some, especially at the fees discussed.
We probably have around 150m to spend even before outgoings when you consider the BBC article on this a while back.
On face value Frimpong has been covered by Trent and Kelleher.
So it depends how Wirtz is broke down I have a feeling that’s probably it before sales now. Though I think the article said we could stretch to 200m it would be wise for FSG to do the spending prior especially as Nunez does seem to be providing some options.
You are at least looking at the following:
Nunez
Elliott
Robbo or Tsimikas
Morton
Then you’ve got Bajectic and other youngsters who maybe surplus, that’s before any deal is done for players we would then need to replace such as Diaz or Quansah. Wouldn’t surprise me if our net spend comes in quite high. Saying that we’ve been constantly around 6/7th in net spend and yet have vastly outperformed those above us bar one (who are facing 135 charges).
It’s not just the transfer fee. It’s the total cost of acquisition over the contract length.
Trent would have gotten a signing on fee and a 300k wage. Frimpong probably got 150k weekly wages. That and the fact that we got 10m for letting Trent go a month early means that the Frimpong transfer acquisition in itself is less than what we would have to pay out had we renewed Trent’s contract over the total contract length.
In a similar vein , Wirtz’s contract acquisition (including transfer fee , wages , agent commissions etc) is around 200m over 5 years. That’s 40m per year over 5 years.
Assuming all deals are structured similarly , we would have much more money to spend.
I’d also note that three of our biggest earners (minus Wirtz) - Van Dijk, Salah, and Alisson - are going to be coming off the books over the next three years. As will Diaz, Jota, and Robbo in all likelihood.
We’ll also likely be offering pay bumps to Konate, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai, which have to be considered as well.
I don’t think they can afford to let him leave on a free. Too young and too talented, even despite his injury history. Especially without a succession plan.
When Alvarez moved to Atletico I thought it was one of those rare transfers where almost all sides can be happy with the outcome; City got a big fee for essentially a backup striker (also made a mistake of not replacing him), Atletico got one of the world’s best forwards, Alvarez got a side where he’s the main attacking man.
But…
I only wondered if Atletico would satisfy Julian enough, with their style and not really winning things regularly. Obviously only he knows that and he’s been there only one season, not sure if he wants to jump again and change clubs so quickly.
I don’t think that one is happening this summer, not even if Nunez somehow ends up at Atletico.
He’s not a winger, but can do a job cutting inside as a wider forward if he needs to. If we had to name what Alvarez’s best position is, I’d say he’s a second striker.
At Atletico the positive aspect around it is the fact that they usually play with two up top. It’s questionable whether then a partnership of Griezmann and Alvarez is the best fit.
I think we would love to have him up top even in this 4-2-3-1 shape/structure, with a player like Wirtz behind him. More than someone like Osimhen.
Danns may one day be great, but he’s made only ten appearances so far.
Touting him as a realistic option to lead our attack is touching, but unrealistic.
Yeah, I don’t see Danns being ready for a spot in Liverpool’s first 22 players right now. That would’ve possibly been the case back at the time when we had certain problems and not much money, when we did N’Gog moves and what not.
Probably needs a loan somewhere and a period of staying injury free. Show what he can do.
We definitely need someone that is supremely confident of scoring when the opportunities arise… Jason Danns has done what can be expected in his appearances from such a lad on the periphery of the team… I personally think, MO will get his usual haul of goals and assists again next season, per ratio of games; due to re-calculating for Afcon; and if Wirtz remains injury free, I feel he will be our leading goalscorer, and assists king next season… Watching this guy stroke a ball about the pitch so easily, plus he is cool headed and confident in front of goal… hopefully, we will be scoring for fun next season..
Without a recognised number 9, defenders will be at a loss of who to mark…