Always been impressed with him whenever I caught Porto's european match, initially to check out Alex Sandro though before we had Monreal. Wishlisted him for a season, but Sagna's improvement in form make it irrelevant now unless he really is leaving on a free.

Speaking of strikers, I would make a punt for Giampaolo Pazzini in january. I'm not sure when he's supposed to be back from his injury but it should be fairly soon. I really liked the way he played last season. Good goalscorer and sublime technician. We don't have anyone like that.

No Italians unless they are called De Rossi, Montolivo, or Balotelli.

In all seriousness, I wonder if we could nick someone off Milan. They have already signed Honda and Rami for january. They're so far off pace too that they probably won't make Champions League even if they turn it around now, so losing players for good money might not mean that much to them. Sneaky bid for El Sharaawy or De Sciglio?

Your El Sharaawy idea is most welcome, good Klaus. He really hasn't benefited from the Balotelli move. If we gave them decent money, I can see how they could try to replace him with a cheaper guy

Yeah, nothing is sacred at Milan right now. Selling Ibrahimovic and Silva settled any doubts people used to have. Berlusconi might block the move because he seems to be rather fond of the lad, but it's worth a try. Just imagine Arsenal reinforcing the squad with Stephen El Sharaawy in january. What a bloody statement it would be.

have i said how much joy it gives me to see Milan as a 2nd tier club financially? i'll never forget how they ruined one of my childhood heroes by sitting Papin on the bench because they could afford to buy half the world's top players. Milan fans used to be the loudest twits on the block. they hide when i roll down the block now. buy all their players. leave them with Robinho.

We're so going to end up with Henry on loan for a couple of months.

Wonder if we could get Klose until the end of the season.

MLS is too easy for him. He's definitely in better condition physically than when he came to us last time IMO.

ugh he has sleeves now. he barely runs in MLS, the pace is so slow. it's unwatchable, i literally prefer watching the other five-a-side teams in my leagues.

gazidis reckons we'll be in for striker in jan. pretty much confirms what we already knew, but it feels like slim pickings as far as quality strikers go.

On the bright side, they don't seem to have all their eggs in the Suarez basket. 🙂
I think we can forget about Llorente too.

flobaba wrote:

Mata in January?

He's the last player we need.

Wonder how much it would take to pry Max Kruse away from Mönchengladbach?

Volante wrote:
flobaba wrote:

Mata in January?

He's the last player we need.

Thinking long term actually. To replace an ageing Rosicky.

The only thing we need is a top striker, and there's not many of those available.

Plenty of players who can do a job as good as or better than Giroud on the other hand, which is all we need in the shorter perspective.