I'm fine with Watkins, it's not willy shaking but I'd feel a little something in my pants.

He's a clear upgrade on Jesus, and as good as the strikers I've wondered about (Mbuemo) or not wanted (Vlahovic). He is also a clear tier (or two!) above Sesko, who may never pan out and become the player that Watkins is.

Also strikes me as a player that could do a job on our wings when needed. Arteta likes his flexibility so that may be appealing to him.

Sicario2 - Tier 1 Utd signed a 29 year old RVP as we all know and won the title.

Watkins is nowhere near the level RVP was then (arguably the best CF in the world). Even by today's standards, £60m would not be good value.

      Sicario2 - Tier 1 I think this is the right logic but it definitely makes me nervous. Would signing Watkins now for 70m preclude us from going for a Sesko in the summer too? One would think so but maybe Watkins would be more amenable to sharing time with a younger forward. And would it stop us from going big for another attacker this summer like Barcola? I’d imagine the powers that be have taken this into account and given our headroom with PSR feel like we can take a calculated risk to capitalize on a title opportunity this year but I just hope we don’t sacrifice long term potential along with it.

          • Panda

          • Post #963

          Such a random move they'll never sell him to us. He is a proper Gooner as well 🥹

          • MistaT

          • Post #964
          • Edited

          samthegooner -- sounds like he could play

          Clubs are "allowed to register a maximum of three new eligible players during the winter. Since 2018/19, it no longer matters whether those players have already played in the competition for another club, even for another club still in the competition.

          https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/024e-0e9960c4c766-21ef2df7ed44-1000--can-january-signings-play-in-the-champions-league-europa-/

            • MistaT

            • Post #965
            • Edited

            samthegooner -- there's no way we can carry or pay Havertz, Watkins, and Sesko, and especially so if Jesus remains on the books.

            If we're signing Watkins it means Sesko isn't signing - for whatever reason (cost, not interested, Arteta not sold, etc.)

              No transfer window can go by without us buying a keeper

              A few weeks back - after our draw vs Fulham - I mentioned wanting a livewire for a January signing, and I still stand by it. In my opinion Watkins is capable of accomplishing this.

              We are in desperate need of an Arshavin-eque signing in January. Someone who can come in without being shackled by (Arteta's) instructions and create on their own. I don't want a young player who will provide too many concessions to our approach, I want a livewire like Sanchez.

              Sicario2 - Tier 1 Watkins can't compare with RvP and Auba. This would be very, very poor use of funds.

                  • Mirth

                  • Post #969

                  Don Pacifico yep, Sicario’s logic makes sense for an elite forward. Not Watkins.

                  Far more likely he’d be deadwood we’d struggle to shift after a year or two (without trophies to show for it)

                    Segway I think he’s on the older side, but tbf, I can’t think of many better strikers. Cos they rdont exist. In the premier league it’s Isak + Haaland, and everyone else.

                        Hmm not sure this would be the best use of funds right now, a bit too old and I'm not that convinced on his general quality. Better then what have yeah but feel we could do something better in the summer if this is what it ends up being now.

                        Go take a look at Watkins goals plus assists numbers for the last 5 seasons. Over that period basically only Kane and Haaland are consistently better at that position. If he’s free, take him. And then worry about getting a you bf we winger in the summer. Havertz means we don’t have to abuse Watkins, so he can go a few more years. I’m just struggling to come up with a list of amazing 9s. It’s not like 8 where there are a few interesting players in the market this summer.

                          The question is simple. Sign Watkins and have a 30 percent chance of winning the title and/or CL this season, sign a kid to have a 10 percent chance of winning either or sign no-one to have a zero percent of winning anything this season?

                            The bid was made last week they said no, not selling. Good.

                            Sicario2 - Tier 1 we don’t have CF. We could spend the next several years looking for one. Stick this guy in. And then deal with the rest of the squad - namely getting another winger and renewing Rice, Saliba, Gabriel asap

                              Claudius Go take a look at Watkins goals plus assists numbers for the last 5 seasons.

                              This is an outstanding argument if you believe that humanity is going to find a cure for aging within the next 2 years.