Seems like the immediate focus once we have Timber and Rice officially signed is going to be on outgoings.
Ideally, we can shift the following players:
- Holding (likely going to top out at 10m)
- Tavares (10m although it sounds like we are asking for 20m... I'd be over the moon if we got that fee)
- Balogun (doubt we get the 50m listed price - I'd be happy with anything over 30m)
- Pepe (likely going to have to let go for less than 10m, if not free)
- Sambi (hard to imagine getting more than 10m)
That would bring in an additional 60m-90m in fees. I am really conflicted on what to do with Partey and Tierney. I think if we got good offers (40m plus for Partey, 30m plus for Tierney), I'd be okay with letting them go.
With it being rumored we are hoping to bring in an additional two signings before the end of the window, I would be absolutely over the moon with it being Lavia and Moussa Diaby. To me, that would cap off as close to a 10/10 summer as I could've imagined going into the window. Diaby would be great cover for both Martinelli and Saka, with Nelson getting the remainder of minutes. Lavia could cover Rice at the 6 or play the 6 and move Rice to Xhaka's role. I think Smith-Rowe is going to be a huge boost at both midfield spots, with some minutes on the wing as well. I also may be one of the last Vieira optimists and I am looking forward to seeing what he can do with a full, healthy offseason.
