Transfer targets

[whitelightwhiteheat]

If Tom Ince and Willy Zaha are the extent of our ambitions then we have serious problems.

 

[brasil_spur]

I think I acknowledged Berbatov's goalscoring record in my post. When we signed Modric and VDV many fans were acknowledging these signings as a really big deal, I don't remember the same for Berbatov. Having a good goalscoring record abroad is not the same thing as a high-profile signing.

Corluka was a good right back but not seen as one of the top in the Prem

I think the difference is our definition of a high profile signing. You define it as an international player who cost a fair amount of money or someone with a bit of a profile. I define it as a signing that turns people's heads a little. A signing that is viewed as bigger or better than the normal signing the club would make.

I don't see Crouch, Keane, Defoe etc as fitting my definition of a high profile signing.

My definition of high profile means a player who most people know about already. I think you're talking more about World Class players.

 

[nav007_2000]

Isco should be a priority. But won't be.

If we do have money and want quality then Isco should be number 1 target. His release clause is 17m. He is in the same mould as Mata, Silva and Cazorla.

 

[brasil_spur]

If we do have money and want quality then Isco should be number 1 target. His release clause is 17m. He is in the same mould as Mata, Silva and Cazorla.

Agree. Should be an easy signing IMO. Trigger release clause, very quickly agree terms with the player and boom he's ours.

We then have the rest of the window to fuck about trying to sign a striker and a CM.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

we need a world class number "10" that can unlock things

Few and far between and at a massive premium, that is beyond our means

 

[dagraham]

If we do have money and want quality then Isco should be number 1 target. His release clause is 17m. He is in the same mould as Mata, Silva and Cazorla.

Agree, but it will never happen. The only way we can sign these players is to take a calculated risk and be decisive before their stock rises. Once they are proven on the world stage sadly we've got no chance. I've lost count of the top players we're linked with before they're proven, where we just dither about only to regret it in a few years. sigh

 

[nav007_2000]

Agree. Should be an easy signing IMO. Trigger release clause, very quickly agree terms with the player and boom he's ours.

We then have the rest of the window to fuck about trying to sign a striker and a CM.

We did the exact same with Dembele.

Any chance we can swap Dempsey with Bryan Ruiz?

 

[dontcallme]

My definition of high profile means a player who most people know about already. I think you're talking more about World Class players.

Not world class I acknowledge that Defoe, Keane, Crouch, Corluka had a profile to them and were very newspaper-worthy stories and Modric and VDV were higher profile. Berbatov though largely went under the radar in England other than by Spurs fans.

 

[TheGreenLily]

Why bother?

 

[TheAmerican]

While Willian will probably still be in CL football, I think he is one of the exceptions that may be an option, as he still stakes frequently how much he wants to play in England/Italy/Spain. But, Levy would need to just step up and make a serous offer early in the window.

 

[TheAmerican]

Agree. Should be an easy signing IMO. Trigger release clause, very quickly agree terms with the player and boom he's ours.

We then have the rest of the window to fuck about trying to sign a striker and a CM.

I don't think Isco will go, as Malaga have been playing insane in CL.

 

[TheAmerican]

Some possibilities we have been linked to in the midfield:

Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Elm (CSKA Moscow), Banega (Valencia)

 

[playboypaul]

Sound a bit like Levy!

It's amazing how we spoke of Llorente, Willian, Leandro (...etc) in the summer. As with the past four seasons, I would say we need a top class striker.

Someone to play behind the striker (sorry, but Dempsey just isn't good enough) wouldn't go amiss either, though I wouldn't mind seeing Dembele promoted up the field to play there. Given everyone is fit, I'd like to see us try:

Sandro Huddlestone
Dembele

No.

 

[Syn_13]

Agree. Should be an easy signing IMO. Trigger release clause, very quickly agree terms with the player and boom he's ours.

We then have the rest of the window to fuck about trying to sign a striker and a CM.

Easy signing depends on wages and other clubs interfering. One of our biggest problems is being used as a stepping stone. Agents and clubs link their players to us in the knowledge that the media will roll with it and it generates interest from bigger clubs that can pay more in terms of wages/transfer fee/signing on bonuses etc.

It's a harsh capitalist world out there, especially in football.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Aubameyang has been phenomenal this season, if I'm calling the shots, he's my #1 target based off his positional versatility (plays all front 3 positions in a 4-3-3), he can offer goals as a RW in the 4-3-3, and he's going to be about half the cost of a Leandro Damiao despite putting up a better goal-scoring clip in tougher competition at the SAME FUCKING AGE. Jesus Levy, don't screw this up.



Then, I move on to bolstering the midfield. Jordy Clasie is a great option. He's got the passing ability of a Tom Carroll, but he's also got the ability to drive forward on the ball. In a way, he's a little bit of Carroll/Dembele. Something we could really use as cover for the time being with our eyes set on making him a real contributor in the future as he develops/gets acclimated.



Then, I look to add an AM/Winger type and I look at Felipe Anderson (Who we've been linked to recently). Crazy enough, he reminds me a TON of James Rodriguez of Porto. He's an AM who can play on the wing, is dual-footed and has an absolute rifle of a shot. At 19, he's Brazilian youth with flair and huge potential. Estimated value of around 5m as well (according to Transfermarkt).



So, we're talking:

Aubame (13m) + Clasie (9m) + Anderson (5m) = 27m for 3 young, huge potential players in positions of need

 

[brasil_spur]

Some possibilities we have been linked to in the midfield:

Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Elm (CSKA Moscow), Banega (Valencia)

All better options than we have now.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I don't know why you guys do it to yourselves. We're not going to spending any money on expensive foreign talents.

 

[DJS]

I think our season has shown that it's critical we get in another left-back in January to compete with / cover Assou-Ekotto.

Verts is a useful option there but should not be a long-term answer if Assou-Ekotto is unavailable for a long period as he has been.

Verts should be in the middle, as the left-sided centre back giving us excellent balance.

Hopefully the rumours are true and we've pulled a fast one over Man U and will get Fryers in January.

We also need another midfielder, either a Moutinho-type giving us options to play:

Lloris

Naughton Caulker Vertoghen Fryers

Moutinho Sandro Dembele

Lennon Adebayor Bale


Or a more attack-minded type like VDV was:

Lloris

Naughton Caulker Vertoghen Fryers

Sandro Demebele

Lennon VDV the 2nd Bale

Adebayor


As well as having the option to drop Adebayor deeper and play Defoe.

We also need a forward as cover for Adebayor who can play up top on his own (Defoe cannot do this effectively, sorry Defoe lovers).

 

[Snarfalicious]

I don't know why you guys do it to yourselves. We're not going to spending any money on expensive foreign talents.

Just curious, and completely serious, what do you view as 'expensive?' North of 15m?

 

[Spurslove]

Personally, I find it somewhat disappointing that whenever these conversations come up about who we could 'have a look at', invariably, the names are more often than not those of players currently playing abroad, have never kicked a ball at this level, and will probably see joining us as nothing much more than a stepping stone to a bigger club with higher wages.

I think British based players are far more likely to stay for a good few seasons, and less likely to instruct their parasites to start whinging in the press and touting their clients around to all and sundry at the drop of a hat.

I've always felt we should be looking much closer to home for our new recruits.

Craig Mickael-Smith at Brighton is one example. Ready to make the big step up. Jordan Rhodes of Blackburn is another. Both are real quality strikers and in Rhodes's case especially, playing in a poor side. CMS is to be fair, is playing for a very decent championship side but I reckon would jump at the chance of joining us. Both are already full Scottish internationals. Both are natural goalscorers, as is the boy we missed who joined Everton from Rangers (Jelavic) he is a quality striker.

How much would Newcastle want for say, Demba Ba? He has a superb goalscoring record in the EPL.

I do wish we'd look closer to home for our new players. Their wage demands are far less ridiculous than foreign stars too.