The Summer 2024 scouting thread

[Now it's Spursonal]

There’s actually a very interesting option for the wing that I thought was completely off the cards but could potentially be back on the market in the summer.

Bryan Zaragoza

He was absolutely flying with Granada in La Liga and was putting up elite 1v1 dribbling stats.
Pretty sure many of us were recommending him here at the time.

However Bayern came in and bought him with the intention of loaning him back for the rest of the season.

They didn’t stick to this plan though and opted to pay an extra €4m to bring him in this January as they were very injury ridden at time.

Since then though Zaragoza has only made two appearances and apparently has seriously struggled to fit in at the club as he doesn’t speak a lick of German.

The stories coming out now are that Bayern are looking to loan him straight back to Spain in the summer and bring in Fuhrich to replace him at the club.

I bet though if a club was to come in and lay down good money for a permanent transfer then they’d go for it.

Of course this is all very dependent on who Bayern bring in as manager, but definitely the current plan is to move on from Zaragoza.

 

[delawarespur]

Edon Zhegrova should be right at the top of our winger list. Personally I think at the very top. Electric dribbler and even though he’s a classic inverted winger, he holds width so well and can go in all directions with the ball at his feet. Just someone who can open up the pitch so well for teammates and cause damage going inside or out no matter where he receives. Top ball striking and works hard too.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

There’s actually a very interesting option for the wing that I thought was completely off the cards but could potentially be back on the market in the summer.

Bryan Zaragoza

He was absolutely flying with Granada in La Liga and was putting up elite 1v1 dribbling stats.
Pretty sure many of us were recommending him here at the time.

However Bayern came in and bought him with the intention of loaning him back for the rest of the season.

They didn’t stick to this plan though and opted to pay an extra €4m to bring him in this January as they were very injury ridden at time.

Since then though Zaragoza has only made two appearances and apparently has seriously struggled to fit in at the club as he doesn’t speak a lick of German.

The stories coming out now are that Bayern are looking to loan him straight back to Spain in the summer and bring in Fuhrich to replace him at the club.

I bet though if a club was to come in and lay down good money for a permanent transfer then they’d go for it.

Of course this is all very dependent on who Bayern bring in as manager, but definitely the current plan is to move on from Zaragoza.

What a mess that situation is aye, it’s a shame as i really like Bryan. I think you are probably right that they would be open to offloading as it’s a lot of money to have essentially unused for two seasons with the potential of him still not being ready in a years time.

I would have said that had Alonso joined he probably would have stayed and I do think we need to see who their next manager is before knowing what happens to him. Tuchel’s quotes regarding the who situation are amusing tho “We don’t know Spanish. So the agent translated for us. But we built enough of a connection through looks and gestures and through emotions to convince the boy to sign for us in the summer.”

As for him to us, we do have a very strong Spanish speaking group and you would think he would be able to fit in more comfortably but I also think his struggle to adapt their might put us off before we even get to the football side.

On the football side I think his size would be a major red flag for us. I can’t help but think we might feel rather burnt by our own Bryan and that will make us think twice about small wingers from Spain. Zaragoza does have better core strength then Gil and is significantly swifter and more agile but I still think he can get physically dominated by a FB and I’d worry a little about him in the PL. I mean he is 5’5”. I also think whilst he does track back and put in the work defensively he isn’t particularly effective at it and I think that will be something that we will be looking for in all our targets.

He is a phenomenal dribbler tho who has end product and he is really fun to watch. He can be electric. Only 22 also so plenty of room to grow. I really like him as a player and honestly from an entertainment perspective I would be happy if we got him. If it wasn’t for his size he literally ticks every single box in an attacking sense. Fast, clever, incredible 1v1, can go both ways, is young but already influencing games and has end product. I just don’t think due to his physicality the club would be interested even if he hadn’t of gone to BM.

 

[CarrickSpurgus]

There’s been quotes like that fairly regularly all season. Supposedly he was close to signing last year and in Jan etc. same for Chiesa. Maybe it happens of course but I don’t necessarily think it’s a forgone conclusion given Juve’s financials. I just think it’s a situation to monitor as Juve really need money if they want to improve their squad

What sort of fee would he command ? As we know it’s all about pounds, shillings and pence with Danny boy

 

[npearl4spurs]

Cmon you're not gonna sell me on another Bryan, not yet anyway

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Can narrow down your list a fair bit anyway.

Insigne is 32 years old and playing in the MLS - true but at a good price could still do a job but yea probably not the profile of signing we'd make

Lozano is 28 and playing in the Eredevisie - yea mabye not the profile we'd go for

Ocampos will be 30 next season - again mabye not the right profile

Neto too injury prone - would need to look into that more but I thought it was only recently he's had some injuries but yea would be a risk

Olise too injury prone - same as neto

Berardi terrible 1v1 dribbler - yea fair mabye not what we need, good player though

F. Torres terrible 1v1 dribbler - I don't agree with that but doubt he'd come back to the PL anyways tbh

Jota I like, but obviously Ange doesn’t think he’s up to the standard - yea you're probably right otherwise surely we'd have made a move or him, unless he is just chasing the big money and not interested in a move to us, I saw him a fair bit at Celtic and in the CL and he looked class but yea mabye Ange doesn't think he's the quality we need

Rafael Leao will only be sold for his €170m release clause - ah yea forgot about his RC, fair. Baller though

Kvara sadly probably just outside our price range - agree. Top top player though.

Anthony Gordon likely way too expensive as well - agree

Sancho crazy wages and proven he can’t cut it in the prem imo - fair and probs best he stays in Germany

So from your list that would leave Nico Williams, Chiesa, Bakayoko, Raphinha, Mitoma, Fuhrich and Kudus (Only if his champions league release clause is true)

Nice analysis, comments above Wonder if we will end up with any of these or someone a bit left field who we've not thought of.

I don't think we would get N.Williams or Chiesa or Raphinia.

So would leave Bakayoko, Mitoma, Fuhrich and Kudus(unlikely unless as you say CL RC)

 

[Now it's Spursonal]

What a mess that situation is aye, it’s a shame as i really like Bryan. I think you are probably right that they would be open to offloading as it’s a lot of money to have essentially unused for two seasons with the potential of him still not being ready in a years time.

I would have said that had Alonso joined he probably would have stayed and I do think we need to see who their next manager is before knowing what happens to him. Tuchel’s quotes regarding the who situation are amusing tho “We don’t know Spanish. So the agent translated for us. But we built enough of a connection through looks and gestures and through emotions to convince the boy to sign for us in the summer.”

As for him to us, we do have a very strong Spanish speaking group and you would think he would be able to fit in more comfortably but I also think his struggle to adapt their might put us off before we even get to the football side.

On the football side I think his size would be a major red flag for us. I can’t help but think we might feel rather burnt by our own Bryan and that will make us think twice about small wingers from Spain. Zaragoza does have better core strength then Gil and is significantly swifter and more agile but I still think he can get physically dominated by a FB and I’d worry a little about him in the PL. I mean he is 5’5”. I also think whilst he does track back and put in the work defensively he isn’t particularly effective at it and I think that will be something that we will be looking for in all our targets.

He is a phenomenal dribbler tho who has end product and he is really fun to watch. He can be electric. Only 22 also so plenty of room to grow. I really like him as a player and honestly from an entertainment perspective I would be happy if we got him. If it wasn’t for his size he literally ticks every single box in an attacking sense. Fast, clever, incredible 1v1, can go both ways, is young but already influencing games and has end product. I just don’t think due to his physicality the club would be interested even if he hadn’t of gone to BM.

Yeah fair he definitely does get brushed off the ball easily at times, but with his explosive burst of pace I very much doubt he'll have the same issues with prem football as Gil has had.

I'm actually slightly surprised by your question marks in general over him though cause I know you love Matias Soule. And I view him and Zaragoza as very similar style players, with Zaragoza being much more explosive whereas Soule has more creativity.

Anyway though, the beauty of a potential Zaragoza deal is that he only cost Bayern €17m in total so they wont be looking for much more than that you'd imagine.

People keep saying you wont find a better deal than Timo Werner for £15m, well this might just be one.

Only 22 years old, very much suited to our style of play, can play both wings very effectively and at his potential price point he would leave a tonne of room for another elite winger/holding midfielder.

 

[mill]

Edon Zhegrova should be right at the top of our winger list. Personally I think at the very top. Electric dribbler and even though he’s a classic inverted winger, he holds width so well and can go in all directions with the ball at his feet. Just someone who can open up the pitch so well for teammates and cause damage going inside or out no matter where he receives. Top ball striking and works hard too.

Only seen highlights but he looks perfect for what we need but we’ve seen similar types of players from the French league unable to reproduce that form in the pl, at decent price would probably be worth a punt but could just as likely be an expensive failure

 

[Now it's Spursonal]

Nice analysis, comments above Wonder if we will end up with any of these or someone a bit left field who we've not thought of.

I don't think we would get N.Williams or Chiesa or Raphinia.

So would leave Bakayoko, Mitoma, Fuhrich and Kudus(unlikely unless as you say CL RC)

Yeah we absolutely have to put ourselves in the running for Nico Williams and try our best to persuade him, but this recent international break is really making me think that he's going to end up at Barca somehow. Him and Yamal were constantly talking up being the wing duo of the future and it seemed to run deeper than just Spain to me.

Raphinha I absolutely do believe we could get as reports have come out recently that he feels under appreciated at Barca, and Barca would 100% sell him (likely to fund N. Williams). I would say that I would be happy to sign him as I really rate him, but at the same time I do understand @Ghost Hardware's issues with him.

Chiesa then I haven't a clue about his availability, Juve is a complete shitshow atm so impossible to tell what there going to do. I would be delighted to sign him though, if we're looking for a much better version of Werner then I believe he might be the man.

Mitoma obviously would be perfect for what we want, but you wonder will we be willing to pay his likely price when you take his age into consideration. He'd be an instant gamechanger though.

Bakayoko would be super fun but definitely wouldn't have anywhere near the immediate impact all the others would have, he'd definitely require a years bedding in period and plenty of patience (which isn't spurs fans strong suit).

Fuhrich was actually an interesting shout then and one I hadn't really thought of before, cant say I've watched much of him at all(if anything) but I've seen people compare him to Reus so I'd definitely take that .

Kudus then is an interesting one and as people here have said already, it would be incredibly sweet to steal him off of West Ham. However I probably wouldn't view him as an out and out winger and instead would put him in the bracket of players like Eze, Gibbs-White, Gudmundsson i.e. a versatile 10 that can play on the wings.

Sidenote: Ferran Torres is definitely a terrible dribbler, he's like bottom 15 percentile in every metric for it. Very clever player though.

 

[lincspurs]

Edon Zhegrova should be right at the top of our winger list. Personally I think at the very top. Electric dribbler and even though he’s a classic inverted winger, he holds width so well and can go in all directions with the ball at his feet. Just someone who can open up the pitch so well for teammates and cause damage going inside or out no matter where he receives. Top ball striking and works hard too.

Someone posted a YouTube compilation a few weeks ago & it was very impressive.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Yeah fair he definitely does get brushed off the ball easily at times, but with his explosive burst of pace I very much doubt he'll have the same issues with prem football as Gil has had.

I'm actually slightly surprised by your question marks in general over him though cause I know you love Matias Soule. And I view him and Zaragoza as very similar style players, with Zaragoza being much more explosive whereas Soule has more creativity.

Anyway though, the beauty of a potential Zaragoza deal is that he only cost Bayern €17m in total so they wont be looking for much more than that you'd imagine.

People keep saying you wont find a better deal than Timo Werner for £15m, well this might just be one.

Only 22 years old, very much suited to our style of play, can play both wings very effectively and at his potential price point he would leave a tonne of room for another elite winger/holding midfielder.

Don’t get me wrong I like him a lot as a player, I was even one those championing him in the past as a player we should watch. I think he can be electric and as I said I’d personally be happy to get him. Like you say if BM were happy to sell him for what they payed he could be bargain. I am more thinking of Ange’s perspective rather then my own and can just imagine his hight coupled with his strength making the club think twice. Despite being a significantly more agile and speedy a winger I still think the club will have a bad taste in its mouth from Gil and I can imagine Ange wanting hight and/or strength on the wings considering the amount of crosses we put in.

As for Soulé, I mean he’s 6 foot and two years younger the BZ. Bryan is 5 foot 5 and while he might get stronger he won’t get taller. He might not have his pace but Soulé still has a lot of space to grow into a physically strong player and he’s not Bryan Gil levels of week currently. Also Soulé has very good defensive statistics, especially in comparison to BZ which are pretty poor and i really think that is something that will be high on the list of criteria. Anyway long term Soulé probably moves central anyway and I don’t think we target him ether even tho I would happily take him for his exceptional playmaking ability.

Like I said I like BZ, I think he’s a very exciting player and I’m more laissez-faire about his shortcomings. Obviously players like Bernardo Silva are good examples of shorter players that faired well physically in the league. Considering his hight BZ would need to bulk up a lot tho and work on his defensive output. I just imagine the club wanting someone like Neto who as well as being fast and good on the dribble is also physically imposing and can bully his way around players hence me saying I could see the club having red flags over his physicality.

 

[delawarespur]

Someone posted a YouTube compilation a few weeks ago & it was very impressive.

All I’m really looking for in a winger is a high volume of take on attempts with a decent success rate, someone who will work hard off the ball, and someone who won’t be tempted to go searching for the ball. Just let the game come to them within the possessional structure and attempt to cause havoc at every opportunity. You obviously want end product too, but end product or end product upside is gonna come with every player we’re looking at I assume. Zhegrova for me fits what we should be looking for to a tee.

 

[Now it's Spursonal]

Don’t get me wrong I like him a lot as a player, I was even one those championing him in the past as a player we should watch. I think he can be electric and as I said I’d personally be happy to get him. Like you say if BM were happy to sell him for what they payed he could be bargain. I am more thinking of Ange’s perspective rather then my own and can just imagine his hight coupled with his strength making the club think twice. Despite being a significantly more agile and speedy a winger I still think the club will have a bad taste in its mouth from Gil and I can imagine Ange wanting hight and/or strength on the wings considering the amount of crosses we put in.

As for Soulé, I mean he’s 6 foot and two years younger the BZ. Bryan is 5 foot 5 and while he might get stronger he won’t get taller. He might not have his pace but Soulé still has a lot of space to grow into a physically strong player and he’s not Bryan Gil levels of week currently. Also Soulé has very good defensive statistics, especially in comparison to BZ which are pretty poor and i really think that is something that will be high on the list of criteria. Anyway long term Soulé probably moves central anyway and I don’t think we target him ether even tho I would happily take him for his exceptional playmaking ability.

Like I said I like BZ, I think he’s a very exciting player and I’m more laissez-faire about his shortcomings. Obviously players like Bernardo Silva are good examples of shorter players that faired well physically in the league. Considering his hight BZ would need to bulk up a lot tho and work on his defensive output. I just imagine the club wanting someone like Neto who as well as being fast and good on the dribble is also physically imposing and can bully his way around players hence me saying I could see the club having red flags over his physicality.

Matias Soule is 6 foot?!?! That's just blown my mind.

For whatever reason I never would've guessed he was over 5'7 and I've watched a load of Frosinone this year

 

[Ghost Hardware]

What sort of fee would he command ? As we know it’s all about pounds, shillings and pence with Danny boy

Really depends if he signs a new contract. If he does, forget about it, if he doesn’t… one has to remember both Vlahovic and Chiesa were put up for sale by Juve last summer. Juve will try to sell off as many fringe players as they can to raise funds, they will also likely sell Soulé as well because currently he doesn’t have a spot in the tactics and Juve can probably get about €30-40 mil for him. A lot will also depend on Allegri’s future which gets debated about every season around this time. He only has one year left and could well leave if results don’t pick up. If he does then a change of formation could effect who stays and goes.

All that being said Juve need coin. Badly. Considering they have Yildiz I think they might sell Chiesa, he’s only got a year left and the offers he’s been getting are bellow what he wants. A lot of reports suggest he will be one they may look to move on come summer. One could probably pick him up for around €40 mil, if they sold Soulé and Chiesa for €70 mil say plus some other fringe players that would give them money for koopmeiners who they are desperate for with Rabiot leaving and leave enough for contracts plus some other smaller deals. There has also been talk about Bremer being sold but I’m sure they won’t want to do that if they can help it.

Vlahovic if he doesn’t sign an extension they would maybe look for around €75 mil but probably end up getting something in the high €60’s but I’m totally guessing based on past valuations. I could be completely wrong.

Edit= Latest reports today seem to suggest Allegri will be leaving so it will be very interesting to see how that affects their sales. They will have to move players on 100% regardless just depends what system the new manager plays if the reports are true of course.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Matias Soule is 6 foot?!?! That's just blown my mind.

For whatever reason I never would've guessed he was over 5'7 and I've watched a load of Frosinone this year

Haha yeah that’s one of the reasons I think he could actually adapt physically to pl. He’s only 20, gets stuck in, reads the game very well considering his age and isn’t short . I know he can be outmuscled but he is only 20 and is nowhere near Gil levels. Considering how insanely well he’s adapted to first team football, essentially becoming the key player for them and how desperate he is to play in the PL I feel like he could make the transition. I know some disagree and it’s unlikely to be us he comes to but still, I think he could adapt.

 

[biscuit]

All I’m really looking for in a winger is a high volume of take on attempts with a decent success rate, someone who will work hard off the ball, and someone who won’t be tempted to go searching for the ball. Just let the game come to them within the possessional structure and attempt to cause havoc at every opportunity. You obviously want end product too, but end product or end product upside is gonna come with every player we’re looking at I assume. Zhegrova for me fits what we should be looking for to a tee.

Handily different to Brennan too, as he looks like a possible solution against a low block.

 

[felmani26]

Wonder if Forest are indeed a club of interest to poach players from that apart from the obvious in Gibbs-White and perhaps Awoniyi (as @Now it's Spursonal suggested) that we look seriously at Elanga who has been pretty impressive considering the state of the club.

5 goals and 7 assists is not to be sniffed at and for comparison, that's bang on what Johnson has produced or as another comparison, Doku has provided 2 goals and 6 assists in the league (4 of which in one match don't forget).

Would he necessarily be my first choice, no, but if we don't take up the option on Werner and the financials favour us then could be worth our while plus as well continues with the strong Scandi/Swedish theme to compliment Kulusevski and of course Bergvall.

 

[matty74]

Murillo the Brazilian left sided centre back has been getting some good reviews . Only 21 could be a long term option for us

 

[ardiles&villa]

Murillo the Brazilian left sided centre back has been getting some good reviews . Only 21 could be a long term option for us

He is brilliant, going to the very top in the next few years

 

[spurs9]

As for wingers which we desperately need I like:
•Raphinia
•Raphael Leao
•Kvaratskhelia
•Chiesa
•N.Williams
•Lozano or Insigne
•Bakayoko
•Neto
•Berardi
•Olise
•Mitoma
•Fuhrich
•Ocampos
•Gordon
•F.Torres
•Jota (former Celtic one)
•Sancho
•Kudus

Beyond that we can also look at the likes of Jonathan Rowe, Gnoto, Sulemana from the Championship but I’d like to see us sign a top top class ST & Winger and then one of the above 3 more for longer term development.

Another Championship we should look at is Philogene, he really looks like he would fit out system.