Jack Grealish

Our first piece of business this window? Extending Kyle Walker-Peters' contract.

That didn't mean we wouldn't do other business - we've also extended the contracts of Carter-Vickers and Sanchez, for a start!

FIrst signing, last signing, who cares? If he's Pochettino's choice and improves our options in the middle of the pitch (we can at least agree he's not a winger!) then great.

Klinsmannesque said:

If it means we have more money in the budget for a CM and Martial then what's the issue? Surely people can see why this is being pursued?

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I don't think anyone has a problem with singing a talented young player. The guy himself is getting a lot of stick here, but I don't think it's purely because of him.

I think what's getting people nervous is that we've seen this kind of thing before. Story goes:
- we're in for some big, big players this window. Statement signings that will go straight into the first team, and some good back ups
- Club really pushed for the big transfers, but they didn't quite make it because of (insert reason: third party ownership, agents, bidding war, player changed mind, staged structure of offer etc. etc.)
- Club still gets back up player(s), but don't worry, lots of irons in the fire...deadline day going to be busy!
- Ooops, didn't quite make it on deadline day, but don't worry, club happy with existing first team and back up players that were bought
- Meanwhile our competitors strengthen

It kind of feels like the narrative (and let's face it, it's not an official club narrative is it, we work ourselves up on this stuff so we're to blame really) around the big players is there only to keep us interested, whereas we really end up with Grealish and Sissoko. Not that they're bad players, don't get me wrong, they're useful squad members. They're just not players that any of our competitors would go for in any scenario.

The risk is that this, rather than bolstering the squad, represents a safety net for the club if the big targets go wrong, and by extension, makes them less focused on getting in someone genuinely game changing.

If we end this window without (1) Martial or someone of a similar quality in that position (2) proper high quality reinforcements in CM and (3) a solution to the defensive issues that would arise were Toby to leave, then frankly we'll be taking massive risks on next season, because City, Utd and Liverpool all look very well placed right now, with a clear sense of who they want - in some cases having already completed those deals! - while we unsuccessfully flirt with De Ligt and chase a good Championship player.

As things stand (I accept it can change quickly, but given the facts), we have to hope that both Arsenal and Chelsea are sh*t again, and that's not where we should be, especially given our manager has just turned down Real.

Reckon he could be a tidy little signing. He’s performed well this year, clearly has talent and hopefully wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.

blackburn said:

I hoped that this transfer window was the one where we bought a couple of marquee signings to improve the starting X1, it may well turn out that way. Last season Grealish played 31 times, 3 goals and 6 assists. If that is the extent of our ambition and pulling power I'm going to be very disappointed.

In fact I'm already very disappointed that Grealish, Shaqiri and Rondon have threads of their own. They do nothing to improve on what we already have.

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Numbers aren't everything. If he's replacing Sissokko as far as time on the pitch is concerned his numbers are phenomenal. Just imagine selling Sissokko for a similar fee to Grealish, does that sound more acceptable now, because I can see Levy getting 20-25 mil for him.

Also I’m pretty sure Poch didn’t sign a new contract to blow his budget on Grealish so am assuming there is some sort of strategy in place - although understand the cautioned given how many underwhelming zero net spend windows we have had under Levy

I think everyone is just a bit frustrated that this is the first signing of the summer.

If he is replacing Sissoko then this is a great deal as Grealish has a shit ton of talent.

I’ve watched a bit of Villa this season and he looked like he was on a different planet to the rest of the Villa players and the style of play.

I’m excited to see what Poch can do with him, everyone has to have a bit more faith.

Think I would've preferred Maddison but I may have been swayed. Interesting signing, if he joins nonetheless so im board.

Liverpool got in Keita and is looking to bring in Fekir

Man city is looking to get in Jorginho

Man united is looking at bale and griezmann

We are possibly buying jack grealish and salomeh rondon.. FFS

Spartan Spurs said:

Agreed that if the other business was already done, then OK, not a bad signing & see the logic.

Yet after all the hype about us stepping up with added funds & increased wages to attract better players, but then to begin with Grealish simply adds 'meh' to the 'meh' & people have a reflex reaction that seems so familiar.

Nevertheless, I'm still optimistic & have faith (a bit better than hope) that we get our targets. And hope to God that @dtxspurs fears don't come to fruition about not having the funds later in the window to get a desired &/or attractive target that may have suddenly become available.

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I don't get the OCD of wanting deals to be done in a specific order. If Grealish is a player Poch wants, who really gives a toss if he's signed first? I doubt he's the top of the 'wanted list' so why does it matter?

Don't understand why people aren't very excited by this link. He could be a great signing. We've been linked with him for years (Sherwood loved him iirc - not that that is a recommendation in itself).

Kid had a few issues but no more than a lot of lads that age. I watched him in the play off final and I thought he was the best player on the pitch (Sessegnon included, in this match).

A signing like this is like that of Dier, Dele, Rose, Walker, Sanchez where we have had great success in the past. Promising with work to do.

whatislifewithoutspurs said:

Liverpool got in Keita and is looking to bring in Fekir

Man city is looking to get in Jorginho

Man united is looking at bale and griezmann

We are possibly buying jack grealish and salomeh rondon.. FFS

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Hmm conveniently ignoring that Spurs are trying to get in De Ligt and Martial?

Trix said:

Numbers aren't everything. If he's replacing Sissokko as far as time on the pitch is concerned his numbers are phenomenal. Just imagine selling Sissokko for a similar fee to Grealish, does that sound more acceptable now, because I can see Levy getting 20-25 mil for him.

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You clearly know your stuff and I take your point. Perhaps if we sign Grealish AND a superstar or two I'll be satisfied. However I stand by my point that we don't need benchwarmers and back up, we need players that are better than what we already have if we are to challenge.

blackburn said:

You clearly know your stuff and I take your point. Perhaps if we sign Grealish AND a superstar or two I'll be satisfied. However I stand by my point that we don't need benchwarmers and back up, we need players that are better than what we already have if we are to challenge.

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I'd like to know who these players are that are better than what we have, good enough to not be bench warmers and are affordable for us. The only positions I can see for that would be our midfield, assuming Dembele does leave. Even De Ligt, assuming we signed him, wouldn't be a guaranteed starter every game. The same for Martial, he's a great player but we have lots of competition at attacking mid, he'll be taking his fair share of bench warming too.

I for one would like to see how a combo of Grealish and Winks could evolve ...

tiger666 said:

I'd like to know who these players are that are better than what we have, good enough to not be bench warmers and are affordable for us. The only positions I can see for that would be our midfield, assuming Dembele does leave. Even De Ligt, assuming we signed him, wouldn't be a guaranteed starter every game. The same for Martial, he's a great player but we have lots of competition at attacking mid, he'll be taking his fair share of bench warming too.

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This bench-warming thing is a myth. Look at the depth City have. Superstars on their bench. They finished 27 points ahead.

We need to take the next step now. No longer having back-ups, but having rotation options.

Apparently we can't pay the transfer fee or the wages despite reporting the highest revenues and profits (£60m?) ever, with another £100m increase expected next year from the stadium.

The stadium is being funded with sponsorship, so again, what has happened to the CL money?

daryl hannah said:

This bench-warming thing is a myth. Look at the depth City have. Superstars on their bench. They finished 27 points ahead.

We need to take the next step now. No longer having back-ups, but having rotation options.

Apparently we can't pay the transfer fee or the wages despite reporting the highest revenues and profits (£60m?) ever, with another £100m increase expected next year from the stadium.

The stadium is being funded with sponsorship, so again, what has happened to the CL money?

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Is the transfer window shut?

daryl hannah said:

This bench-warming thing is a myth. Look at the depth City have. Superstars on their bench. They finished 27 points ahead.

We need to take the next step now. No longer having back-ups, but having rotation options.

Apparently we can't pay the transfer fee or the wages despite reporting the highest revenues and profits (£60m?) ever, with another £100m increase expected next year from the stadium.

The stadium is being funded with sponsorship, so again, what has happened to the CL money?

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Reports are suggesting we are trying to bring in Martial and De Ligt, seems we are investing.

daryl hannah said:

This bench-warming thing is a myth. Look at the depth City have. Superstars on their bench. They finished 27 points ahead.

We need to take the next step now. No longer having back-ups, but having rotation options.

Apparently we can't pay the transfer fee or the wages despite reporting the highest revenues and profits (£60m?) ever, with another £100m increase expected next year from the stadium.

The stadium is being funded with sponsorship, so again, what has happened to the CL money?

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It’s the 7th of June ffs, you’re acting like there’s a big black hole where Danny is tunnelling money for his superyacht.

Im gonna stick my neck out here. I rather have Sissoko than Grealish.

Ekmek said:

Im gonna stick my neck out here. I rather have Sissoko than Grealish.

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Based on what?