If one has already been started then I apologise .

Let’s keep them all in once place.

I can’t find the link but I think it was the daily mail -

Cody Drameh from Leeds - final year of his contract , is playing tonight for Luton (on loan) against our neighbours.

One things for sure, it’s going to be another busy and interesting one.

We've been linked with Drameh before, January I think when I recall a few stories about it.

I've watched him a few times on TV, including right now against Rovers, and he looks a tidy player and a good athlete. Doesn't hugely stand out and to me Roberts has the RB shirt absolutely nailed down, but I'm sure we're all happy to trust the recruiting team this summer.

ksrclaret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 6:25 pm

We've been linked with Drameh before, January I think when I recall a few stories about it.

I've watched him a few times on TV, including right now against Rovers, and he looks a tidy player and a good athlete. Doesn't hugely stand out and to me Roberts has the RB shirt absolutely nailed down, but I'm sure we're all happy to trust the recruiting team this summer.

Also been impressed with Drameh when I’ve seen and played well against us the other month. Looks quite athletic and has that physicality about him we lack a bit, only 21 too.

An intriguing window coming up, to be sure.

If we're saying that we are going to try to sign Maatsen, Tella and Beyer permanently then that's the business end of 40m gone just to start next season as we finished this one, ie standing still.

Rumours abound that we've agreed a loan with an obligation to buy for Schalke to purchase Churlinov. I would expect Weghorst, Bastien and perhaps even Taylor and Obafemi to join him to free up further funds.

What do you lot think we need?

Assuming we get the above in, I'd say the top 3 are:

A starting CM to replace Cork
A starting, Premier League quality CF. I like Foster and think there's a lot to come from him personally, but i feel promotion has come a bit too soon for him in terms of where he's at in his development right now.
Cover for Benson and Zaroury

Ryan Kent.

TalkBFC on instagram very good at putting links and rumours up as soon as they see them

We need cover for the goalkeeping position.

James Milner.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:04 pm

James Milner.

Great shout, if we could get him. Might be looking for a new challenge.
Wages might be the key.

we will sign players we've never heard of and have zero links to this summer

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/champio ... bewerb/GB2

Chuba Akpom is OOC….

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:16 pm

we will sign players we've never heard of and have zero links to this summer

Let's hope so ! ...Same as last summer...

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:25 pm

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/champio ... bewerb/GB2

Chuba Akpom is OOC….

Boro have an option for another year

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:04 pm

James Milner.

He is 37 and rumoured to be on £120, 000 a week!

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:25 pm

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/champio ... bewerb/GB2

Chuba Akpom is OOC….

that needs updating

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64179704.amp

Cleveleys_claret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:29 pm

Boro have an option for another year

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:29 pm

that needs updating

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64179704.amp

Ahh b0llocks. There goes that one then…

Longsider wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:29 pm

He is 37 and rumoured to be on £120, 000 a week!

He's on nothing from 1st July

Longsider wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 7:29 pm

He is 37 and rumoured to be on £120, 000 a week!

Played with both Kompany and Bellamy at City. Wouldn’t be a surprise.

Not a link in any papers but a lad I work with is absolutely adamant we are after Bellegarde from Strasbourg. He thinks we have had scouts watching him the second half of the season.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 8:07 pm

Played with both Kompany and Bellamy at City. Wouldn’t be a surprise.

Why the hell would we want a 37 year-old who's way past his best? Did you not notice the ages of the players Vince has signed? Not one over 25 and that's the way it should be.

Stan Tastic wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 9:33 pm

Why the hell would we want a 37 year-old who's way past his best? Did you not notice the ages of the players Vince has signed? Not one over 25 and that's the way it should be.

The Athletic has suggested we have approached Milner but Brighton are leading the chase.

It’s very wise in the PL to have some experience. Ashley Young has played quite a big role at Villa over the past 2 seasons despite being 37.

This squad needs some experience in it, particularly when you consider that Barnes is leaving and that (you’d imagine) Taylor, Cork and Rodriguez will have highly reduced roles in the team.

I’d take Milner every day. He’s a consummate professional and can cover a variety of roles. Not sure of contractual status but on similar lines I’d be equally delighted if we took the likes of Axel Witsel and Edin Dzeko (said purely on basis of Kompany knowing them). We will no doubt sign quite a few high potential players, but the mix has served us really well this season and I’d bet Vinny will want a similar squad make up for the Prem.

Certainly need a mix of experience and younger players, his age not a worry for me. Always looks as fit and sharp as anyone when he's playing.
Can't really see it coming off, but you never know.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 9:11 pm

Not a link in any papers but a lad I work with is absolutely adamant we are after Bellegarde from Strasbourg. He thinks we have had scouts watching him the second half of the season.

Is he any good?

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 10:17 pm

Is he any good?

Can’t honestly say I have ever seen him play. But fits the mould 24 years old few seasons in a top division.

The obligatory YouTube videos show he’s a similar player to Cork.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 9:38 pm

The Athletic has suggested we have approached Milner but Brighton are leading the chase.

.

Let's hope it stays that way.

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 10:19 pm

Let's hope it stays that way.

When he came on for Liverpool yesterday I noticed he was completely ripped. Not a scrap of fat on him. Looks to me like he could play another season or two and probably pass on some great experience to our younger players.

Stan Tastic wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 9:33 pm

Why the hell would we want a 37 year-old who's way past his best? Did you not notice the ages of the players Vince has signed? Not one over 25 and that's the way it should be.

Thought this was a thread about transfer links!?

Stan Tastic wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 9:33 pm

Why the hell would we want a 37 year-old who's way past his best? Did you not notice the ages of the players Vince has signed? Not one over 25 and that's the way it should be.

It’s a thread for links and rumours and this is link is just about the most credible so far (as it’s been reported by The Athletic). No real need for such a strangely aggressive response.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 10:25 pm

When he came on for Liverpool yesterday I noticed he was completely ripped. Not a scrap of fat on him. Looks to me like he could play another season or two and probably pass on some great experience to our younger players.

He's renowned for producing unbelievable results in the pre season fitness tests at the training ground..

Matt Doherty another free agent link, fits the mould of prem experience player

If we’re going to get giddy over bringing in an old get from Merseyside ,watching McNeil play tonight ,let’s get him back in if Everton go down,I remember us having Tommy Cassidy in the 70’s ,and he was great ,but we also had a certain Trevor Stephen in midfield as well who could run all day,Who would we play in midfield with Milner,Cullens very fit,but not fast ,neither is Brownhill,also it doesn’t fit the new BFC brand in developing young talent,Hazard would be an even better choice.

I’m sure iv read somewhere that Eden Hazard could be an option.

Andreshotboots wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 10:34 pm

He's renowned for producing unbelievable results in the pre season fitness tests at the training ground..

Didn’t know that but not surprised

Shaggy wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 10:44 pm

I’m sure iv read somewhere that Eden Hazard could be an option.

Have to say, I’d love us to sign a massive name like Hazard.

Isco is a free agent also, although must be a reason why and I’m not sure what’s happened to him.

Obviously don’t want us signing a team older players, but the odd one to make sure we have the experience in the squad would be good.

Hazard would be a great signing. Only 32.

if Everton drop I hope we think about Onana

Who do you think is staying and going? - squad list at link.

https://www.uptheclarets.com/players/squad-list

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Tue May 02, 2023 3:25 am

if Everton drop I hope we think about Onana

We can think about him as much as we can think about anyone. If you are meaning as a transfer for Burnley then perhaps add to the thinking that this player is on 100k a week, cost Everton 35m last summer and has been linked with Chelsea & Arsenal.

Carwin261 wrote: ↑

Mon May 01, 2023 10:40 pm

If we’re going to get giddy over bringing in an old get from Merseyside ,watching McNeil play tonight ,let’s get him back in if Everton go down,I remember us having Tommy Cassidy in the 70’s ,and he was great ,but we also had a certain Trevor Stephen in midfield as well who could run all day,Who would we play in midfield with Milner,Cullens very fit,but not fast ,neither is Brownhill,also it doesn’t fit the new BFC brand in developing young talent,Hazard would be an even better choice.

I’ve watched Everton’s last three games on tv and McNeil has been their best player. He’s definitely got his pomp back (seems quicker as well).

Would love him back, think he would be excellent in that more advanced CM role Kompany likes.

Is this a serious thread with realistic options
According to some the likes of Hazard, Milner, Onana and McNeil are on their wish lists
Let's add James Ward Prowse to that

Just re the need for experience point. I think it's a fair position that we need at least some Premier League experience this summer, and I can see lots of attraction to signing someone like Milner. However, I can also think of some downsides to signing him specifically. There is a risk, no matter how good his training stats, that he's not capable of regularly playing 90 minutes - and given that we've already got Jack Cork as an experienced bit-part player for the position that Milner would presumably play, I think it's open to debate whether having 2 of a similar ilk is the best use of finite funds. The other factor is that great pro though Milner is, and vastly experienced as he is, his experience doesn't exactly map onto our own likely experience next season - he's spent almost all his career playing in the higher echelons of the Premier League; some experience of scrapping at the bottom is, unfortunately, likely to be helpful.

I do note that Ainsley Maitland Niles is available on a free transfer from Arsenal this summer. He's had a bumpy career - likely to include two relegations, although he only played half a season at WBA - but against that he's played for England five times, won a European trophy at Roma, and just lost his way a bit after not quite making the grade at Arsenal. He's played over 100 Premier League games, will be familiar with our system from Arteta's coaching at Arsenal and fills a number of positions very competently. If it came to a straight choice between him and Milner, I do wonder whether AMN might be a better bet - albeit that AMN may well want very substantial wages on a free transfer.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue May 02, 2023 6:38 am

We can think about him as much as we can think about anyone. If you are meaning as a transfer for Burnley then perhaps add to the thinking that this player is on 100k a week, cost Everton 35m last summer and has been linked with Chelsea & Arsenal.

really ? scrap that then !

Milner as would AMN can play multiple positions which is something teams on a budget need, Vitinho has played both full back roles, both wings and even as part of a midfield 3 this season

Based on last year and the well known “EPL/EFL premium” I feel certain that most players we will sign I will never have heard of.

However I do think Milner is likely. He has an elite mindset and VK may want that to add nous. VK won’t be aiming for survival that’s for sure, not that he would ever admit it. He’ll be aiming for top 10. To do that leads have to be held, nous and grit will be vital.

My wishlist is:-

- A younger version of Cork
- A back up for Muric
- A goalscoring striker (Tella could tick that box tbf)
- A Connor Roberts style left back (I just don't see the hype around Maatsen personally).

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Tue May 02, 2023 3:25 am

if Everton drop I hope we think about Onana

Nooooo

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue May 02, 2023 6:38 am

We can think about him as much as we can think about anyone. If you are meaning as a transfer for Burnley then perhaps add to the thinking that this player is on 100k a week, cost Everton 35m last summer and has been linked with Chelsea & Arsenal.

I'm amazed, he's been pants for Everton.