Since we're talking about transfer execution, I wonder how much of our inability / reluctance to sell unless for 'value' is being driven because of the prices for the players we are reportedly after = 70m for each of Maddison and Martinez, let alone 30m+ for Ramsdale.
I wonder if we would be more willing to sell / accept a lower fee if our targets were also of lower cost in the first instance? For example for the price of 1 of Maddison / Martinez we could sign Aouar, Edouard and Onana, leaving potentially 110m to be spent on other areas that need updating / player like Guimares etc.
IMO it is far more important to have a match day squad that is balanced and for for purpose than it is to have a handful of top players if it means the spine of the team is still not complete or fit for purpose, let alone there are still weaknesses in other areas.
I also suspect the reason we seem so hell-bent on signing the likes of Maddison is because we are going to rely upon quality signings as a result of not completing the purge. As it stands we are going to go into the season with the same starting midfield and attack as last season, and as yet the only departure we have replaced has been White for Luiz and we are still 'short' re the likes of Ceballos & MO in both number and quality, let alone to upgrade in any other area of the team.
