We finished 17th last season and can't offer European football, so not exactly in a position of strength when it comes to attracting top players. If we want to get top targets over the line we are going to have to pay over the odds and if it feels like we are 'having our pants pulled down' with some deals its because of the shit-show Daniel left behind.
Let's hope the denouement of these Tonali negotiations is not as painful as an ingrowing toenail! There is also the reality that our midfield cannot realistically be transformed by the acquisition of just one additional player. We need at least two. We cannot rely on any of our injured midfielders, Kulu, Simons, or even Madders, recovering fully back to their best. It's just a hope at this point.
Fernandes, as the second midfielder, would be fine, but Wharton or Scott would be equally viable, albeit with slightly different midfield profiles. 50 mill for Bergvall and 25 mill for Pape Sarr, would help fund this upgrade, with us keeping Madders and Bentancur (both in the short term) and Archie Gray. If Fernandes falls through, we must keep Palhinha (who I personally would keep anyway).
A team must learn to walk before it runs and unfortunately we've been crawling along for too long to attract top players. If we (Levy) hadn't spaffed hundreds of millions on duds and punts since Moura joined, Tonali would be a logical buy.
I ask the question, why would Tonali come to us? Wages are important but will he win any pots and pans in the next 5 years with us? Other clubs will surely come in for him.
If we get him, great. It will show intent and other players will see this and follow suit. We have to get one top player over the line, but we've lost out on too many because of many factors, the main one being we're rubbish!
Building a successful team takes time and I wonder if Tonali can see success around the corner because I can't. Get Tonali and 3 more like him and we're in business, but this could easily turn into last season's futile attempts to get MGW and Eze.
I read somewhere this morning that City are ready to scupper our Tonali deal as part of a large squad overhau,now Maresco is in place.End of story then.
I disagree when it comes to clubs that win things. If Arsenal offered £250k a week and Spurs £275k, he'd go there for obvious reasons. Regular Champions League and possibility of winning trophies is a big draw.
If both Liverpool and Arsenal are in for him, who knows what he chooses. Blackburn offered far more than Man Utd to Roy Keane, yet he chose the latter (even after agreeing to go to Blackburn!).
This is why Spurs are behind the 8 Ball. Even if we offer comparable wages, the player will turn us down if other clubs who win things regularly are in for them. Now, if we are the only ones willing to meet Newcastle's valuation and Tonali doubles his money then it is a deal worth taking.
We finished 17th last season and can't offer European football, so not exactly in a position of strength when it comes to attracting top players. If we want to get top targets over the line we are going to have to pay over the odds and if it feels like we are 'having our pants pulled down' with some deals its because of the shit-show Daniel left behind.
Whatever moisture my powder had is quickly evaporating!
Let's hope the denouement of these Tonali negotiations is not as painful as an ingrowing toenail! There is also the reality that our midfield cannot realistically be transformed by the acquisition of just one additional player. We need at least two. We cannot rely on any of our injured midfielders, Kulu, Simons, or even Madders, recovering fully back to their best. It's just a hope at this point.
Fernandes, as the second midfielder, would be fine, but Wharton or Scott would be equally viable, albeit with slightly different midfield profiles. 50 mill for Bergvall and 25 mill for Pape Sarr, would help fund this upgrade, with us keeping Madders and Bentancur (both in the short term) and Archie Gray. If Fernandes falls through, we must keep Palhinha (who I personally would keep anyway).
A team must learn to walk before it runs and unfortunately we've been crawling along for too long to attract top players. If we (Levy) hadn't spaffed hundreds of millions on duds and punts since Moura joined, Tonali would be a logical buy.
I ask the question, why would Tonali come to us? Wages are important but will he win any pots and pans in the next 5 years with us? Other clubs will surely come in for him.
If we get him, great. It will show intent and other players will see this and follow suit. We have to get one top player over the line, but we've lost out on too many because of many factors, the main one being we're rubbish!
Building a successful team takes time and I wonder if Tonali can see success around the corner because I can't. Get Tonali and 3 more like him and we're in business, but this could easily turn into last season's futile attempts to get MGW and Eze.
I read somewhere this morning that City are ready to scupper our Tonali deal as part of a large squad overhau,now Maresco is in place.End of story then.
Wages are the most important, if it’s a club that wins all the better for players but cold hard cash is king.
I disagree when it comes to clubs that win things. If Arsenal offered £250k a week and Spurs £275k, he'd go there for obvious reasons. Regular Champions League and possibility of winning trophies is a big draw.
If both Liverpool and Arsenal are in for him, who knows what he chooses. Blackburn offered far more than Man Utd to Roy Keane, yet he chose the latter (even after agreeing to go to Blackburn!).
This is why Spurs are behind the 8 Ball. Even if we offer comparable wages, the player will turn us down if other clubs who win things regularly are in for them. Now, if we are the only ones willing to meet Newcastle's valuation and Tonali doubles his money then it is a deal worth taking.
Comparable wages yes, we would lose out.
If our offer of wages is correct, in this instance, this could be a few million a year difference in offers, let alone extra in signing bonus.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath on this one.
And a magic typo, H - I think I’m going to call him ‘Toenail’ from now on. 😉
Some of my finest work 🤦♂️
🤣✊