Next year we'll see 3rd and 4th spot completely up for grabs, and it has to be the minimum requirement for Arteta and co. As such, I'm more interested in significant improvements in our starting XI, even if it means a smaller squad. Personally, I don't believe that "known, and proven" signings like Tielamans and Jesus do enough to improve our squad.
Out:
Saliba - 40m
Pepe - 10m
Xhaka - 10m
Torriera/Douzi/etc - 10m
Net - 70m
In:
One of the following:
McKennie (40m) - he would add goals (3-6) and I think he'd be a great complement for both our left wing (decent defensive coverage) and Odegaard (in that he McKennie doesn't need to be on the ball)
or
Zinchenko (40m) - less goal hungry, but I think he'd be an astute signing for our midfield, and for LB cover. He'll want to move somewhere he's pegged to be a starter, and with Xhaka shipped out we could offer him that. Could see him eating into Odegaard's role, but ultimately it'll help us find balance and kickstart our goal scoring from the left wing via him, Martinelli, and Tierney.
and one of the following:
Nunez (90m) - we'll have to pay over the odds for him, and probably offer a release clause. But I think we'd have a chance, though it's probably dependent upon what happens with Mane/Salah/Liverpool.
or
Osimhen (90m) -
what I love about both of those strikers is they enable us to play deep and attack with pace (which Laca didn't), or dominate possession from out wide as they're both well built physically (something Auba lacked).
Net spend: 60m...probably a pipe dream, but here its
Martinelli -- Nunez/Osi -- Saka (ESR coverage)
----McKennie/Zinch --- Odegaard ---- (ESR/TBD coverage)
-----------------Partey------------------ (El Neny coverage)
Tierney -- Gabriel -- White -- Tomiyasu (Zinc / Tavares / Cedric)
There's class players in 7+ of those positions, and I think we'd add 10+ goals from a proper CF and better left wing.
As for a short bench, I'd immediately play the kids/youth team in the League Cup, consider that route for early FA Cup, and rotate heavily in Europa. Keep that starting XI well rested for the league.
