Winter Transfer Window Scouting Thread 23/24

[coy-spurs1882]

Isn't donley a striker?

Surely Santiago would be the choice?

He is playing as a 10 this season, basically Maddison's role

 

[JonnySpurs]

Donley and Santiago both need to be seriously looked at by Ange.

If Gil isn't gonna crack it then Santiago deserves a chance to make some appearances on the LW behind Solomon. He's been absolutely awesome this season for the unders. For RW we're set with Kulu and Johnson.

Donley, I thought he was a striker but he seems to be playing deeper and his ability to pick a pass is Kane-esq, as is his Penalty technique. It's freaky.

CB is the clear need for January but I do worry about Madders getting injured and what we do if/when that happens. I'd love to sign Eze but that's not gonna happen before next summer, if at all. No idea whats happening with GLC. Is he still injured?

Gallagher still makes a butt load of sense to replace PEH when he inevitably goes, so I hope that happens. Skipp won't be here long term either IMO but Bentancur coming back will help in that regard.

Beyond that, we need to make a decision about CF and whether we want to go in for Ivan Toney in Jan. As much as his interview annoyed me, there's talk of Arsenal coming in for him and tbh, that mortifies me. They are a proper number 9 away from being serious challengers to City. I like Richy and I think Son is a good option, against particular opponents, to play as a CF but Toney would give us that guaranteed number 9, to play week in, week out, irrespective of the oppo and he's better than Richy.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Donley and Santiago both need to be seriously looked at by Ange.

If Gil isn't gonna crack it then Santiago deserves a chance to make some appearances on the LW behind Solomon. He's been absolutely awesome this season for the unders. For RW we're set with Kulu and Johnson.

Donley, I thought he was a striker but he seems to be playing deeper and his ability to pick a pass is Kane-esq, as is his Penalty technique. It's freaky.

CB is the clear need for January but I do worry about Madders getting injured and what we do if/when that happens. I'd love to sign Eze but that's not gonna happen before next summer, if at all. No idea whats happening with GLC. Is he still injured?

Gallagher still makes a butt load of sense to replace PEH when he inevitably goes, so I hope that happens. Skipp won't be here long term either IMO but Bentancur coming back will help in that regard.

Beyond that, we need to make a decision about CF and whether we want to go in for Ivan Toney in Jan. As much as his interview annoyed me, there's talk of Arsenal coming in for him and tbh, that mortifies me. They are a proper number 9 away from being serious challengers to City. I like Richy and I think Son is a good option, against particular opponents, to play as a CF but Toney would give us that guaranteed number 9, to play week in, week out, irrespective of the oppo and he's better than Richy.

I’ve seen Santiago mentioned a lot recently. Unfortunately I haven’t had the time catch any of the U21 games this season. What’s his profile like? Seen he’s been amongst the goals a lot. Last I heard people weren’t convinced he would make it but seems to have had a turn around.

 

[fecka]

I doubt it would be realistic in Jan but Mitoma would only have about 18 months left on his contract and he could be sensational in an Ange team IMO.
He could always sign a new contract before next summer 2024 but as that would significantly impact his chances for a good move in the next few years I wouldn't be too surprised if he moves in either one of the two upcoming windows.

 

[fecka]

I’ve seen Santiago mentioned a lot recently. Unfortunately I haven’t had the time catch any of the U21 games this season. What’s his profile like? Seen he’s been amongst the goals a lot. Last I heard people weren’t convinced he would make it but seems to have had a turn around.

Only watched him yesterday and against Colchester so a small sample size is an understatement but my impressions are that he's a good dribbler, quite fast, and a good presser but I didn't really see that cutting edge. "It" if you will. Would be interesting to see him in the first team but my bet would be his potential is Championship or bottom-table La Liga at best.

 

[mark87]

I’ve seen Santiago mentioned a lot recently. Unfortunately I haven’t had the time catch any of the U21 games this season. What’s his profile like? Seen he’s been amongst the goals a lot. Last I heard people weren’t convinced he would make it but seems to have had a turn around.

He has had a turnaround yes, not just this season, he was performing well at the tail-end of last season also., but this season he has gone up another level along with the rest of the U21s. He works hard and does his defensive work too, highlighted by one moment in last nights game where our LB, Charlie Sayers, misjudged the bounce of the ball just inside our half, which then allowed the attacking Stoke player to pick up the ball and what was about to run down the right hand-side but Santiago spotted this danger and quickly ran back and nicked the ball from his feet.

Our main four attacking players Santiago, Donley, Soonsup-Bell and Lankshear have all had great starts to the season, and with Donley playing in the floating role behind those three I really think he should shadow Maddison and learn as much as possible from him.

 

[THOWIG]

Only watched him yesterday and against Colchester so a small sample size is an understatement but my impressions are that he's a good dribbler, quite fast, and a good presser but I didn't really see that cutting edge. "It" if you will. Would be interesting to see him in the first team but my bet would be his potential is Championship or bottom-table La Liga at best.

Agree 100 percent. He'd be so good in our team. I know Brighton are doing well, but he will look to move away I'm sure soon. Pep loves him, but luckily they signed Doku.

Over the next few windows I suspect a Centre Back, Centre Mid, Attacking Midfielder, Left Winger and possibly a Striker will be key priorities. Also think a back up for Udogie too.

 

[easley91]

Donley and Santiago both need to be seriously looked at by Ange.

If Gil isn't gonna crack it then Santiago deserves a chance to make some appearances on the LW behind Solomon. He's been absolutely awesome this season for the unders. For RW we're set with Kulu and Johnson.

Donley, I thought he was a striker but he seems to be playing deeper and his ability to pick a pass is Kane-esq, as is his Penalty technique. It's freaky.

CB is the clear need for January but I do worry about Madders getting injured and what we do if/when that happens. I'd love to sign Eze but that's not gonna happen before next summer, if at all. No idea whats happening with GLC. Is he still injured?

Gallagher still makes a butt load of sense to replace PEH when he inevitably goes, so I hope that happens. Skipp won't be here long term either IMO but Bentancur coming back will help in that regard.

Beyond that, we need to make a decision about CF and whether we want to go in for Ivan Toney in Jan. As much as his interview annoyed me, there's talk of Arsenal coming in for him and tbh, that mortifies me. They are a proper number 9 away from being serious challengers to City. I like Richy and I think Son is a good option, against particular opponents, to play as a CF but Toney would give us that guaranteed number 9, to play week in, week out, irrespective of the oppo and he's better than Richy.

Ange has spoken about the humans and personalities behind the players he brings in/wants to work with. I doubt we'll bring in Toney.

 

[danielneeds]

Ange has spoken about the humans and personalities behind the players he brings in/wants to work with. I doubt we'll bring in Toney.

Yeah, essentially what Ange is looking for is similar to the All Blacks famous "no dickheads" selection policy.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I won’t pretend to really know Ivan Toney, but it did seem like his personality would not really mesh well with this current group. Was really underwhelmed by some of his comments about his ban and lack of taking ownership of his actions. Also the nature of the betting (against his own team) is really, really bad. Let Chelsea or Arsenal have him, we all know they won’t care.

 

[Steffen]

One of the Twitter "ITKs" suggested we're in the pack who're after Nusa....



Looks perfect for Ange's style of football.

Another one from Stabæk, where Gift Orban played before Gent.

 

[danielneeds]

I won’t pretend to really know Ivan Toney, but it did seem like his personality would not really mesh well with this current group. Was really underwhelmed by some of his comments about his ban and lack of taking ownership of his actions. Also the nature of the betting (against his own team) is really, really bad. Let Chelsea or Arsenal have him, we all know they won’t care.

Yeah, you put that together with he won't be properly matchfit till next season, he'll be 28 then. It's just one to swerve, and buy someone younger and with room to grow with this side.

 

[Snarfalicious]

What I would do in the winter window:

- Lloyd Kelly: CB cover, HG, good bridge type player to Phillips or Dorrington. Good contract situation to exploit a bit, too. Not a lot of downside there.

- Jota: Honestly think he could be our Mitoma acquisition and one to keep an eye on given his contract with Al-Ittihad possibly being torn up. Still young, Ange-proven, will be down to how much Ange liked him, I’d presume.

From there, I’d be looking at some attacking midfield/creative types if Ange is unsure about the cover for Maddison. Nothing groundbreaking here, but I don’t think we will see a huge push to bring players in, but more so make sure who we do add brings immediate quality and helps prepare for the summer.

 

[cockerel downunder]

EZE would be perfect to round off the front half of the squad. LW starter + madders backup.

 

[N'Obody]

I think in January we should definitely pick up Kelly from Bournemouth if we are able to as he can cover both VdV and Udogie, which would enable us to move on Davies and Sess eventually.

Depending on how Gil adapts and performs we may be fine till Summer in this position, but if he's not able to, then we should take a look at Mitoma as someone has mentioned already as he would be perfect, and if not, then I have a sneaky feeling we may start scouting the Asian Market and pick up some players Ange knows really well. Could possibly unearth the next Son or Mitoma at a fraction of the price.

In terms of cover for Maddison, I know it's probably too soon or early, but definitely should be blooding in Donley as I feel he is one that could definitely make the step up, he just seems to have "it" and around better players he may just shine.

 

[StylusX]

Kubo is tearing it up with Sociedad at the moment. Think Ange worked with him in Japan (maybe wrong)

Watched him vs madrid last week and he was fantastic.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

ESCLUSIVA TMW - Ag. Laurienté: "Piaceva a Giuntoli per Napoli. Non andiamo via da Sassuolo tanto per" - TUTTO mercato WEB

"Abbiamo rifiutato ogni tipo di approccio con l'Arabia Saudita". A dirlo è Roberto Meloni, agente dell'attaccante del Sassuolo.

www.tuttomercatoweb.com

Interview with his agent


Who was on him?
"The Bayer Leverkusen, liked it in place of Diaby. Then there was an interest of Tottenham and it is not a mystery that Giuntoli likes it, if he had stayed in Naples ... In the Premier League there was an attempt by West Ham, but he wants to get to an important level, preferring a second season to Sassuolo to confirm himself. With Dionisi he is growing well, he is well. Of course, next year is in the notebooks of the starters with level offers."

 

[ItsBoris]

My #1 would be Mitoma, but might be unrealistic for the price (although pretty sure we could afford it if we really wanted to).

What about Jadon Sancho on a loan with option? He wont be playing for United and they'll want to get some of his wages off the book.

 

[Ruffinthepuffin]

My #1 would be Mitoma, but might be unrealistic for the price (although pretty sure we could afford it if we really wanted to).

What about Jadon Sancho on a loan with option? He wont be playing for United and they'll want to get some of his wages off the book.

would love Mitoma but think he’d be way too expensive.

If a good loan deal for Sancho could be sorted I think it might be worth the risk as long as it was only an option to buy.

 

[King of the Lane]

My #1 would be Mitoma, but might be unrealistic for the price (although pretty sure we could afford it if we really wanted to).

What about Jadon Sancho on a loan with option? He wont be playing for United and they'll want to get some of his wages off the book.

I can see Mitoma going to Liverpool as the Salah replacement