flobaba I seem to remember Martinelli holding the ball up very well during his time up front. He has this skillset whereby he can occupy defender with his futsal steps.

      Never really been tried there has he? I doubt he's in Jesus's league with back to goal, or with the canny use of strength to hold off defenders in static positions, but he's certainly got a good model to work with.

      I feel certain Martinelli's finishing ability is still improving.

        Clrnc he's pretty strong on the ball in any case and loves a physical challenge despite his wiry frame.

        Burnwinter he was playing CF when he first broke out during the EL run. That season when he was playing in the cup teams he was a CF but has been on the wing since Arteta took over.

            I think we should be aiming higher than Tielemans. He's a Xhaka replacement who probably isn't as good as Xhaka.

            Trossard won’t sign a new deal at Brighton. I imagine he wouldn’t come cheap, as it’s his final chance at a big deal (he’s sneaky old). Could think of worse in terms of depth and ability to play wide and centrally. Probably too similar to Martinelli really.

            50m for Mitoma. Should be enough to tempt Brighton to sell

            We need to go befriend Brighton. Roll out the rug for their execs and get tight to them.

            Find out what they want for Mitoma, or offer to take Trossard on loan (or a purchase).

            Put feelers in for MacAllister or Caceido.

            I think it's time for Zaha.
            His contract ends in June so there is pressure on Crystal Palace to pull some cash for him before he walks. In addition, they're quite ripe with attacking talanet (Eze, Olise, Ayews, etc.) I would also imagine that we could offer him a solid salary in exchange for a shorter (2-3 year, with extension option)) deal.

            Only issue may be that Crystal Palace has to know they're not yet safe from relegation.

            Trossard seems like he'd be a better choice than Zaha. He can pinch hit across the front three, is productive in front of goal, and although he is 28, seems he might be more useful for longer as a squad player, or be easier to flip later.

            Vlahovic is also supposedly in the window for £100m if we want to spend the money. Hear he has not been doing so well, but surely he'd improve us and give us greater variety going forward, and his age still fits our profile. Only Italian outlets talking about it though, so it's probably all nonsense.

            Mitoma: dynamic live wire, highly intelligent, but … another left winger?

            lorddulaarsenal agreed. CM has been an issue for years, and no Granit-shaped plaster is going to make me forget it.

            We also have ESR and Nelson who can cover the flanks until then. When is Reiss back btw?

            I expect us to get a striker in on loan regardless of what else happens.