Hed be a better option than Jesus who hasn’t scored in the league since January, probably a temporary move but would fill a hole. However if Arteta used him like he’s used Sterling it would be pointless. I wouldn’t be shocked if Sterling had his loan cancelled in Januarys window and moved to another club for minutes.

Muani? Would make sense

https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/11/2 ... -transfer/

Muani isn't a player I'd buy, but if we can't buy a striker we genuinely want in Jan then him on loan for 6 months is as good as we could do I expect.

Our striker purchase is going to be the biggest transfer moment for some time. If it goes right it has the potential to take us to winning everything. For my money, realistic names in the hat are Isak, Gyokeres, Sesko.

Isak has a little bit of Henry about him, is likely the best technically of the lot, no prem adjustment and will be easily the most expensive but the lowest risk apart from a few too many niggly injuries for my liking

Gyokeres, I really like him, ability to hold it up, powerful runner, crisp ball striking, scores all sorts of goals, price seems good at £60m ish, Man U will likely be the favourites for him and the only 2 concerns I would have is will he get as much space in our system/league compared to what he appears to have in Portugal and he'll be 27 this summer, it is quite late to break through and not in an elite league (plen ty of strikers have blossomed late but it is still a slight risk)

Sesko is the most raw, tall 6ft 4, fast for a big man, good touch as well, he'd be more of a project at only 21 so does he move the needle enough for a 'win now' strategy?

Vlahovic name is still around a bit but I've lost touch with how he's getting on.

There are some interesting players I really like in the prem but they seem to play more support striker, Joao Pedro at brighton and Cunha at Wolves are both very talented footballers who would fit in a top 6 side no problem but I don't think their natural position fits with how we play

I don't think we should be under any illusions that Gyokeres can be bought for £60m. That may be the release clause value to the Club, but his agents and the serried ranks of hangers-on will probably push his transfer well above the £100m.

Haaland's release clause was £51m and though its never been confirmed just how much Cite paid, it was way more than that.

Yes

The Norwegian's switch to Man City also came with a supremely hefty agent fee of €40 million (£34.66m / $41.7m) according to multiple reports, including The Athletic. That fee was reportedly split between his agency, run by Rafaela Pimienta (who took over the agency after the death of Mino Raiola), and Haaland's father, Alfie Haaland, who played for Man City during his career.

.. so you are probably looking at a 100 million quid transfer ish

If we could only get a loan striker in january for 6 months would anyone take Ivan Toney for 6 months if he was available?

Our striker purchase is going to be the biggest transfer moment for some time. If it goes right it has the potential to take us to winning everything. For my money, realistic names in the hat are Isak, Gyokeres, Sesko.

Isak has a little bit of Henry about him, is likely the best technically of the lot, no prem adjustment and will be easily the most expensive but the lowest risk apart from a few too many niggly injuries for my liking

Gyokeres, I really like him, ability to hold it up, powerful runner, crisp ball striking, scores all sorts of goals, price seems good at £60m ish, Man U will likely be the favourites for him and the only 2 concerns I would have is will he get as much space in our system/league compared to what he appears to have in Portugal and he'll be 27 this summer, it is quite late to break through and not in an elite league (plen ty of strikers have blossomed late but it is still a slight risk)

Sesko is the most raw, tall 6ft 4, fast for a big man, good touch as well, he'd be more of a project at only 21 so does he move the needle enough for a 'win now' strategy?

Vlahovic name is still around a bit but I've lost touch with how he's getting on.

There are some interesting players I really like in the prem but they seem to play more support striker, Joao Pedro at brighton and Cunha at Wolves are both very talented footballers who would fit in a top 6 side no problem but I don't think their natural position fits with how we play

This is from a contemporary report:

There are also commission payments: 30m euros for Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, and 50m euros for the agency that the Norwegian represents, which was led by the late Mino Raiola. In total and without being official figures, the signing of Haaland by Manchester City will cost more than 350m euros

I would have a lot of reservations about Gyokeres. He's had an excellent season and a half, but it's in the Portuguese League. Prior to that he really did very little. He never made it at Brighton and didn't stand out in the Championship. Maybe he is a genuine late bloomer, but I have my doubts. Also, the £60m seems to be based on a release clause but if it is the actual fee, you can be sure that there will be a large signing on fee or wage demand if Man Utd are the competition (which they inevitably will be). Overall, I think he is a big risk.

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If we could only get a loan striker in january for 6 months would anyone take Ivan Toney for 6 months if he was available?

I’m not sure. When he plays he looks the real deal. He scored 18 goals in the championship for Coventry. It’s like saying we shouldn’t have signed Ian wright because of his age and he played for palace. He scored a hat trick against city. Theres plenty of evidence to say he’s the right candidate. Bound to be off to Manchester though

No. I think it was telling that no big club touched him with a bargepole this summer. If we wanted him it would have been a pretty easy transfer this summer but chose not to.

Wasn't the rumour that Arteta spoke to him and had decided his attitude was not right for us?

I'd like if we had looked at Artem Dovbyk but he signed for Roma. Lois Openda would be a good bet but the price would be high.

West Ham away is always a strange game, they can and have given us trouble, but we've also brushed them aside with ease. I'd take a 1-0 right now.

We've got Man U at home in midweek so we may see a little bit of rotation. Personally I'd go with the team that beat Sporting so comprehensively and then get them to go again v Man U who will have 24 hours less rest than us for the midweek game and we're at home. We also have some good bench depth now where players can come on and perform at a good level, Jorginho, Merino, Trossard, Zinchenko

I'm confident of winning both

We don’t need to leave London until Jan 4th, and even that is a short trip to Brighton

No Partey or Merino in the squad at all. Central midfield and right sided defence down to the bare bones

Lethal Gabby

Saka isn't much good, is he?