United sniffing around him now as well

    Qwiss could see it if the idea is to be backup here vs starter there. A backup GK doesn't play much.

      Panda have to agree. The back up keeper isn't a huge concern.

        Even if we don't need him, it's a shame that we didn't get Garcia last summer. Our GK coach was ahead of the curve in identifying him, and at the very least it was a significant arbitrage opportunity.

        I would like to hear a little more about the club prioritizing a left winger. We cannot have Martinelli and Trossard starting games next year, as much as I appreciate both players to an extent. Forwards win trophies, particularly wingers these days. An LW is right footed, it should be easier to find that player than a RW. Instead it's our weakest link in the starting XI.

          CPM Our GK coach was ahead of the curve in identifying him, and at the very least it was a significant arbitrage opportunity.

          Dunno how much arbitrage opportunity there was in buying a goalkeeper with 1 season in the first team for €30m last season just to be a bench warmer behind Raya. We saw with Ramsdale that a year on the bench will really drive your price down.

            Not much there but he is very reliable when it comes to Arsenal. As it has been discussed previously comes down to whether Newcastle finish in CL places or not. Top 5 get CL football this season. Looks like we are in a good position to move on Sesko as well if needed, need to make sure we secure a striker as early as possible because they are on short supply and will be loads of interest.

            Isak is undeniably a brilliant player but I must admit I have some reservations about spending a mega fee. Firstly it will have a massive impact on other signings and secondly he is injury prone.

              JazzG we have a top top team now. To go the extra mile, especially in attack, you need to pay up. Just remember recent deals for top attackers

              • Haaland: renewed at £500,000/wk for 9 1/2 years (£200m total)
              • Marmoush: £67m + 290k/wk for 4/2 years (£135m total)
              • Kavaratshkelia: £59m +165k/wk (£94m total)
              • Darwin: £64m + 140k/wk for 6 years (£117m total)
                So we should aim for the best but be prepared to pay market rate. If we want to take a risk with a slightly less developed player, we can save on both fees and wages, but maybe you end up with Hojlund.

                  JazzG Very interesting little bit of drama. Seems to me if Isak would come here at all, he'd come here even if they got Champions League. If it's all about money then we're probably not in it.

                      Personally I think it will be a moot point as I think Newcastle is the favorite to get 4th/5th between them, Chelsea and City. Hopefully, if it does depend on UCL, it will allow us to not dilly dally on any transfer saga with him since it would appear to be pretty open and shut depending on their finish.

                      Claudius Kavaratshkelia: £59m +165k/wk (£94m total)

                      To put that in perspective we paid 65m + 280k a week for Havertz (£127m total) and 45m and 265k a week for Jesus (100m total).

                      That's pretty cheap for a player of his quality and something we sgould have definitely looked at if that fee and wage is correct. Unless some dodgy paymets to agents in the 10s of millions were happening.

                          Big Willie i definitely expect Kvara had dodgy payments to him and/or Napoli. But on the surface definitely in range of what we should be doing given his talent. I would’ve also been fine with the overall Marmoush spend. Good forwards aren’t a dime a dozen. You don’t want to cheap out and end up with Hojlund & Zirkzee or one of the many stiffs at Chelsea.

                            @Claudius I think there were definitely dodgy payments to agents in that Kvara deal. I still would've hoped we were more involved with it than it sounded like we were (not at all).

                            JazzG

                            The final summed him up. Scored a cracking winning goal and then hobbled off injured. Do you spend 100m+ on that?

                            I disliked van Persie long before he left.

                                Don't think we should throw the big money at Isak, he is great when fit but doesn't stay fit for long and given our history of injuries in attacking areas its too risky to lay out that huge amount

                                  GooneriC agreed. We pinned our hopes on Jesus for a while and this would be similar (just on a higher level with much higher stakes).