Transfer budget this summer

Eddiebfc · Post by **Eddiebfc** » Mon May 01, 2017 8:56 am

Never thought I would see it but can see us spending £50m plus this summer! That is assuming we sell Keane for £20m plus and reinvest the proceeds. We will need a new Centre half, Centre midfield (to replace Joey) and a new striker. Also need another couple to improve the bench i.e. Back up full backs.

bedfords · Post by **bedfords** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:04 am

Doubt it. Wages over the contract period would put the club at risk if £50m was spread across a number of players.

SirAlec · Post by **SirAlec** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:13 am

We spent at least 35m this year and were willing to spend another 10m on the lad from hull. I'd be surprised if we didn't spend 50m next season.

scouseclaret · Post by **scouseclaret** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:17 am

With plenty in the bank, £120m guaranteed for next season and £20+m for Keane, I'd be shocked if we spent any less than£50m.

Need to keep moving forward...

alicante claret · Post by **alicante claret** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:21 am

Sure we will spend plenty but hope we secure present squad members on better contracts before we make a shopping list.

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:21 am

I don't think we need to improve the bench. It's the starting eleven we should be strengthening.

SirAlec · Post by **SirAlec** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:25 am

wonder if we'll use any off the budget on Flanagan?

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:26 am

Westwood has replaced Barton in CM but backup needed.

MRG · Post by **MRG** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:28 am

I don't rate Flano and hope we don't sign him, however, his ability to play on either side of the defence is a nice luxury to have on the bench

hampsteadclaret · Post by **hampsteadclaret** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:30 am

Midfield spending surely....?

Barton.
Marney...how fit/contributory will he be....will he recover fully from his injury
Defour..is he stopping?

- plus a centre half[probably] plus the best new striker we can afford.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:31 am

How does a good free transfer fit into your spending plans ? Barton was free but costly in wages. Someone like Stephens would be 'free' I think.

kaptin1 · Post by **kaptin1** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:35 am

Defensively we are very solid and I'm confident Tark will prove to be an adequate replacement for Keane. It is up front where we are lacking, with our goals scored column one of the worst in the league. This is clearly where we really need to invest, but goal scorers at this level don't come cheap!

SirAlec · Post by **SirAlec** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:42 am

We may well end up paying over 20million for a striker this summer the way things are

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:49 am

The striking area is definitely where we need to invest most.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Mon May 01, 2017 9:57 am

Striker and more creativity in midfield. We could do with a a Trippier type full back who can bomb on and deliver. For all this lack of goals talk we have one of the best defences with 10 clean sheets

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:00 am

It isnt inconceivable that between Keane, Gray and Defour, we might make £50 million this summer, and i can't see us not ending the summer having spent less than we recoup.

Even if we retain Defour and Gray, id expect 3 major signings - one forward, one wide player and one centre back, and perhaps a fourth as a centre midfielder given Barton"s ban. There won't be much change there out of 40 million, for a start, and realistically we will want to spend some money upgrading the alternatives to Lowton and Ward in the full back berths.

DobloStu · Post by **DobloStu** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:03 am

I also think an expensive (for us) striker is on the cards but can anyone think of a £20m striker that would fit the bill?
For us to make an attempt to stay up again we need to spend the sort of money talked about on this thread and our wage levels need to rise also. It's a dangerous game but our board seem bloody good at playing it and getting the balance about right.
I'd be disappointed if dale stephens wasn't strongly linked for midfield and hopefully we'll be back in for Robertson at left back if Hull go down. But as for strikers I can't think of any - over to you guys and your encyclopaedic knowledge of the whole European market.

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:17 am

I'd hope to get more creativity out of JBG and Brady in a second season.
Stephens would be a great signing.
Cover for CH a necessity.
A fourth striker, but not one who sits in his car crying.
Praying that Tom isn't enticed away with a big pay rise. In fact we should match any offer he gets. We can't buy better.

This squad has been excellent, even if the football hasn't been the best. It needs tinkering not dismantling.

BigChaCha · Post by **BigChaCha** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:31 am

We may have a dreadful scoring record but I think that's a lot to do with SD not knowing his best team or formation.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Post by **halfmanhalfbiscuit** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:37 am

Adama Niane, plays for Troyes in Ligue 2.
Scored 22 goals this season, six being pens.
He's played 2212 minutes so far this season, which comes to a goal every 100 minutes.
23 years old.

Marvins Van · Post by **Marvins Van** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:38 am

we should spend a little to ensure we retain George Boyd.

John Johnson 1605 · Post by **John Johnson 1605** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:45 am

claretspice wrote:It isnt inconceivable that between Keane, Gray and Defour, we might make £50 million this summer, and i can't see us not ending the summer having spent less than we recoup.

Even if we retain Defour and Gray, id expect 3 major signings - one forward, one wide player and one centre back, and perhaps a fourth as a centre midfielder given Barton"s ban. There won't be much change there out of 40 million, for a start, and realistically we will want to spend some money upgrading the alternatives to Lowton and Ward in the full back berths.

Interesting points, although you won't find an upgrade to Ward, certainly not in our price bracket.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Post by **halfmanhalfbiscuit** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:49 am

John Johnson 1605 wrote:Interesting points, although you won't find an upgrade to Ward, certainly not in our price bracket.

I think we'll be in for either Roberston - Hull, or Taylor - Leeds

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:55 am

John Johnson 1605 wrote:Interesting points, although you won't find an upgrade to Ward, certainly not in our price bracket.

We nearly found one in January in Robertson. It might not be a replacement mind - we need a better alternative than Flanagan, who isnt likely to be with us next season in any event.

John Johnson 1605 · Post by **John Johnson 1605** » Mon May 01, 2017 10:57 am

Possibly, I can't comment on their abilities but they'd have to be bloody good to replace Ward. He's been absolutely outstanding.

taio · Post by **taio** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:04 am

We should be spending at least £50m. We'll need to pick off some of the best players in the Championship with one or two from elsewhere. Some potential targets below:

Defence:
Pontus Jansson
Andrew Robertson
Charlie Taylor
Liam Moore
Cyrus Christie (wild card)
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (loan)

Midfield:
Tom Cairney
Tom Carroll
John Swift
Dale Stephens
Will Hughes
Aaron Mooy

Winger/Forward:
Sebastien Haller
Jonathan Kodjia
Ivan Cavaleiro
Tammy Abraham (loan)
Elias Kachunga
Jacob Murphy

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Post by **halfmanhalfbiscuit** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:04 am

claretspice wrote:We nearly found one in January in Robertson. It might not be a replacement mind - we need a better alternative than Flanagan, who isnt likely to be with us next season in any event.

The beauty about Flanagan is that, in theory, he can play either side, so is an excellent player to have on the bench.
What about Martin Kelly at Palace, contract is up next month I think?

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:10 am

Matt Doherty at Wolves is someone who's stood out. Able to play both full-back roles and at a good age.

I'd imagine the majority of the budget will be spent upgrading the forward positions because they don't come cheap, where I think we need two quality options. Then we'll need to replace Keane, and possibly Defour if he moves on.

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:20 am

Tell you who I'd have in a heartbeat if Swansea go down, Tom Carroll. Looks superb and only young. £10-£15 should entice Swansea to sell.

Centre back Alfie Mason or Harry Maguire. Failing that Ben Gibson if we can prise him off Boro.

Stephens is a no Brainer if he's on a free.

A pacy winger and a clinical striker and were done.

SirAlec · Post by **SirAlec** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:20 am

halfmanhalfbiscuit wrote:The beauty about Flanagan is that, in theory, he can play either side, so is an excellent player to have on the bench.
What about Martin Kelly at Palace, contract is up next month I think?

Martin Kelly is a good shout, always rated him but injuries hampered his progress. Still think there is a very good player in there

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:33 am

I take the point about Flanagan giving us cover on both sides, although given Brady offers some cover at left back, there is an argument it would be neat if we could identify an athletic centre back who can also operate at right back.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Post by **halfmanhalfbiscuit** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:44 am

As it stands we have three who can cover at left back, four including Flanagan, who will almost certainly go in the summer.
Lowton has been excellent this season, but we will need cover at right back. If this comes in the form of a versatile player who can cover more than one position in the back four, all the better.
This was my thinking in Martin Kelly, who I think is capable of paying anywhere across the back line.

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:47 am

I think id want someone a bit more convincing in the air than Kelly to be honest. I'd probably be thinking of someone more in the Keane mould - big, imposing and quick.

jojomk1 · Post by **jojomk1** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:50 am

Marvins Van wrote:we should spend a little to ensure we retain George Boyd.

As little as possible for me - extra one year is enough if we are to progress in strengthening the starting 11

Yes, he put Gray through for the goal but there was another great Georgie moment during the game on Sat where he actually got to the Palace byline and still turned back on himself and began running back towards our end to pass the ball to Lowton

Unlikely that we will have the kudos to recruit existing Premier League players so fees for players from other leagues may not be so great if our recruitment team actually show they are up to the job

ayrshireclaret83 · Post by **ayrshireclaret83** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:51 am

Negredo could be the answer up top albeit an expensive one

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Mon May 01, 2017 11:57 am

ayrshireclaret83 wrote:Negredo could be the answer up top albeit an expensive one

Absolutely not the sort of player we should even contemplate. Wrong age, on big wages and from completely different football world to most if our players. We ought to be looking to the overseas market this summer but not for expensive players who have done their time at Europe's elite clubs and are now doing their tour of lesser clubs to top up their pensions.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Post by **halfmanhalfbiscuit** » Mon May 01, 2017 12:00 pm

claretspice wrote:I think id want someone a bit more convincing in the air than Kelly to be honest. I'd probably be thinking of someone more in the Keane mould - big, imposing and quick.

I'll agree with that, I just like the idea of having someone who can cover all areas.

When it comes to a CB who is big and imposing, and convincing in the air I like Jansson at Leeds.

IWOODLOVETT · Post by **IWOODLOVETT** » Mon May 01, 2017 12:36 pm

If Hull go maybe Michael Dawson would be a good shout?

Similar age to Barton and Marney, a leader, full international, affordable, very experienced and would fit well with Mee or Tarkowski. Age isn't such an issue with central defenders and we need an outfield captain/organiser to replace what Joey was good at..

burnley007 · Post by **burnley007** » Mon May 01, 2017 12:38 pm

Troy Deeney...

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Mon May 01, 2017 1:17 pm

Gibson. Boro are gone, he could think he is worthy of a bigger move but he'd probably play every week for us

Karhu_Claret · Post by **Karhu_Claret** » Mon May 01, 2017 1:39 pm

Considering that we are a club who will be looking for value in the market this summer (and rightly so) I imagine both Charlie Taylor and Dale Stephens will feature highly on our list, considering their contract situations. If Tarks and Mee were to be our preferred centre back pairing next season, perhaps someone like Ryan Bennett from Norwich (I think his contract is up this summer) would be ideal back up for them.

We also seem to have some form of Dutch scouting presence (the Narsingh and Ziyech links) so I think we can assume we'll be looking at players over there. The likes of Sam Larsson (right footed winger who plays on the left and has had a cracking season) and Nicolai Jorgensen (athletic number 9 who scores for fun and would be a definite upgrade on Vokes and Barnes - as much as I love them) are the sort of players I could see us considering.

Whatever happens, let's finish the season in style and make ourselves as attractive to potential players as possible!

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Post by **halfmanhalfbiscuit** » Mon May 01, 2017 2:10 pm

Karhu_Claret wrote:Considering that we are a club who will be looking for value in the market this summer (and rightly so) I imagine both Charlie Taylor and Dale Stephens will feature highly on our list, considering their contract situations. If Tarks and Mee were to be our preferred centre back pairing next season, perhaps someone like Ryan Bennett from Norwich (I think his contract is up this summer) would be ideal back up for them.

We also seem to have some form of Dutch scouting presence (the Narsingh and Ziyech links) so I think we can assume we'll be looking at players over there. The likes of Sam Larsson (right footed winger who plays on the left and has had a cracking season) and Nicolai Jorgensen (athletic number 9 who scores for fun and would be a definite upgrade on Vokes and Barnes - as much as I love them) are the sort of players I could see us considering.

Whatever happens, let's finish the season in style and make ourselves as attractive to potential players as possible!

I think we’ll be looking for value for money as you rightly say, but I can see us paying good money for a CB.
I also think we’ll be looking for a bench sitter who can offer cover at the back, mainly to replace Flanagan. That said we need much better cover at RB.
Plus we need to improve in CM, given that Barton has all but retired and Defour could well be on his way.
These are just a few of the players I think we should be looking at, excluding RB and wide midfield,

Andrew Robertson – Hull – 8m or Charlie Taylor – Leeds - free
Pontus Jansson – Leeds – 9m or Harry McGuire Hull – 7m or Ben Gibson – Boro – 10m
Martin Kelly – Palace – free or Cyrus Christie – Derby - Free
Tom Carroll – Swansea - 8m
Dale Stephen – Brighton – free
TammyAbraham – Chelsea – loan
Adama Niane – Troyes - 3m

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Mon May 01, 2017 2:11 pm

're Charlie Taylor has been actually playing for Leeds recently.?

Rightfoot · Post by **Rightfoot** » Mon May 01, 2017 2:21 pm

Keane - Gone (Tarky is adequate)
Defour - Gone
Gray 12 months left on his contract - id say Gone (start Agyei in every game now)
Marney may not be the same player
Barton - Gone
Boyd - No contract yet

We have a massive summer ahead

Karhu_Claret · Post by **Karhu_Claret** » Mon May 01, 2017 2:54 pm

halfmanhalfbiscuit wrote:I think we’ll be looking for value for money as you rightly say, but I can see us paying good money for a CB.
I also think we’ll be looking for a bench sitter who can offer cover at the back, mainly to replace Flanagan. That said we need much better cover at RB.
Plus we need to improve in CM, given that Barton has all but retired and Defour could well be on his way.
These are just a few of the players I think we should be looking at, excluding RB and wide midfield,

Andrew Robertson – Hull – 8m or Charlie Taylor – Leeds - free
Pontus Jansson – Leeds – 9m or Harry McGuire Hull – 7m or Ben Gibson – Boro – 10m
Martin Kelly – Palace – free or Cyrus Christie – Derby - Free
Tom Carroll – Swansea - 8m
Dale Stephen – Brighton – free
TammyAbraham – Chelsea – loan
Adama Niane – Troyes - 3m

I too could see us spending money on a CB although (without sounding too much like abc) I do feel that Tarkowski would be first choice to step up and pair with Mee, assuming Keane leaves. All 3 of your suggestions would be ace, however I think we'd be competing with much more established sides for them, in particular McGuire and Gibson. It depends where Keane ends up but McGuire and Gibson will certainly be interesting the likes of Everton for example. I think we'd look to sign someone a bit more 'left field' of those you suggest, someone who we can develop and improve (a lot like we did with Keane).

It's exciting to imagine what sort of players we could bring in though that's for sure; I think we did pretty well last summer on the whole so a second season of top flight football should surely make us a very attractive option.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Post by **halfmanhalfbiscuit** » Mon May 01, 2017 3:06 pm

Ive no doubt that Tarks and Mee will be a CB pairing for next season, but just feel that given the fee we will likely recieve for Keane we could well go in for a big money CB.
My choice would be Jansson, not really 'left field' but less established than the other two I've mentioned.

As you said, exciting to think who we can bring in.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Mon May 01, 2017 3:19 pm

I say 40-50m base plus a majority of any player sales revenue.

Striker
Winger
Centre mid

They're the 3 key areas that need improving the most in my opinion, that I'd want (potentially) record breaking fees invested on.
Also need to beef the squad as a whole up. Bench needs to have players who can make a difference on it, not just those that can see a game out.

PWBFC · Post by **PWBFC** » Mon May 01, 2017 3:23 pm

claretspice wrote:I think id want someone a bit more convincing in the air than Kelly to be honest. I'd probably be thinking of someone more in the Keane mould - big, imposing and quick.

I can't comment on Kelly's aerial ability but he's 6'3?

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Mon May 01, 2017 4:04 pm

Even if we lose Keane, Defour and Gray (less likely imo) we have a strong squad now, that has shown it can compete in this league. Whilst 2 season ago we went down as we had nowhere near like the kind of depth required, we do have that now.

Goalkeepers:
GK: Heaton
GK: Pope
GK: Robinson

^No issues there, so long as we keep our England International

Midfield:
CB: Mee
CB: Tarkowski
CB: *NEW* (one of Maguire, Gibson or Mawson)
CB: Long

RB: Lowton
RB: *NEW* (cant think who would be a good fit here)
RB: Darikwa

LB: Ward
LB: *NEW* (Robertson maybe a shout but i think he's too good to sit behind Ward. Maybe the Swansea fullback Taylor?)

^ Clearly need a new centre back to replace a departing Keane, if Long leaves we might get another body in to be our 4th CB. I think we could do with another RB to backup Lowton and a LB behind Ward would be ideal. These can be younger players rather than expensive established players. I would let Darikwa go as he deserves a first team place in a championship team.

Midfielders:

CM: Hendrick
CM: Westwood
CM: *NEW* Dale Stephens would fit the bill to replace the intensity lost by Marney/Barton
CM: *NEW* Said it earlier on but I'd love us to get Tom Carroll, he's looked superb when i've seen him at Hull.
CM: Marney (assuming he isn't the same after this injury)

LM: Brady
LM: Boyd/Arfield
RM: *NEW* - Ideally a young pro wanting to prove himself. May eventually replace Arfield or Boyd.

RM: Gudmundsson
RM: Boyd/Arfield
RM: *NEW* - Ideally a young pro wanting to prove himself. May eventually replace Arfield or Boyd.

^Big investment needed in central midfield for me, to bolster numbers and allow us to play with 3 central midfielders if we choose. For the wings i feel we already have good cover but need some youthfulness to back that up.

Strikers:
ST: Gray/*NEW* - would need to have a significant amount of pace to replace Andre. Ideally a more polished player but would cost more to bring that in.
ST: Barnes
ST: Vokes
ST: *NEW* - I'd like a linking forward that is different to the above we already have. A player like Danny Ings or Jay Rodriguez (in style) would be the sort of player we'd need, someone who is tricky and skilful and can link midfield and attack. Can we go back in time and poach Robbie Blake?
ST: Agyei

It looks like we need a lot of players but most should be brought in as young hungry players to challenge our pros like Arfield, Lowton and Barnes without dislodging them. If we already have these in our Dev squad all the better. I think bolstering midfield, grabbing a striker to replace Gray or support the three existing and also finding the new Tarks, assuming he slots into the first team in place of Keane.

Either way it's going to be a very exciting few months ahead. Lets just support our current players now to get us higher up the table.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Mon May 01, 2017 5:19 pm

claretspice wrote:We nearly found one in January in Robertson. It might not be a replacement mind - we need a better alternative than Flanagan, who isnt likely to be with us next season in any event.

Robertson has been linked with a few clubs now, I think we may have missed our chance with him unfortunately.