Definitely looks like we'll be sweating at the very least, over Dave's status with United this summer. Rumblings again that his missus is starting to push hard again for a move back home. He kind of held her off last time but that usually doesn't happen twice. Regardless, it looks evident we could be looking at an "interesting" summer on that front.
Lots of very good keepers around Europe though. If we have too, now would be the time. We could spin a net positive difference of 25/30m euro and still have an excellent keeper in net.
We have one position which we didn't have to worry about for last six years. Now that is also gone? [emoji36]
There are few that are worth the trouble, yes. But the goal would still to try and get one that is as close as Dave is in quality right now. In the Prem, Butland might be worth a look, depending on how he's recovered from his ankle injury. Pickford from Sunderland might be another, especially with Sunderland going down. Lloris at this point is not getting younger, plus dealing with Levy and Tottenham is not appealing in the least. Favorite picks still are abroad though, starting with Oblak, possibly Leno as well. The release clause on Dave is 40mil and I'd be ok spending the whole lot (or close o it)if it meant getting a top shelf, ready now type guy.
He is an obvious option as well, I suppose. And going very young eventually worked with Dave. Not sure, I'd willingly do it twice in a row though...
Not a first option as a right sided player, but he'd a decent catch for sure, if nothing else. Not that I buy that report in the least, but I'd have him on our right for the next couple, three seasons at least, until someone else becomes available...
Theres a picture of Jose in Croatia meeting player reps, apparently. I couldn't be bothered to look around to see if its misdated. Someone mentioned that Kovacic could be part of any deal involving De Gea. Don't think that was anything more than speculation. Donnarruma is a top prospect. Issue is adjusting to the refereeing in the premier league, but that applies to everyone. Donnarruma is not that good on the ball which sucks because our CBs are really bad at passing (and everything else)
Some kind of swap deal? I'll believe it when it actually happens, even if it's just partial... I don't have anything against Kovacic (as a matter of fact, I like him a lot) but he still would not address our most pressing needs in midfield. There definitely is some ground to get nervous about Dave leaving: still a chance he might stay, but it's far from a definite, especially if Real start applying some pressure of their own. Donnarumma is a great talent, but he'd be a fallback option for me personally.
Why would that be? Being a backup still hasn't hurt his position with Argentina. So unless he's desperate to be a regular somewhere...
He is thirty and will need to decide if he wants the money and status of playing at a big club or the regular game time of playing at a lesser club.
Banega is a pretty impressive story as far as turning a career around - I still remember what a cluster ******** his time at Valencia was.
I put up the Perisic rumor as it appears Jose really did go to Croatia. As for the player himself, we need to be aiming much higher. Our depth is solid, but we need a forward of the highest caliber possible and I can't see Perisic being that guy. It's early days on transfer muppetry.
It depends entirely on whether we are discussing top 5 overall or top 5 for us. Banega for instance has been predominantly used as the furthest forward midfielder to support Icardi and he was doing likewise for Sevilla. That is good for them but not what we need and I doubt he will return to playing further back until he starts to wind down. If de Gea leaves I would have no problem with signing Handanovic. I would play Candreva over anyone we have on the right and he would be an instant improvement on crossing and set pieces. While I might have questioned Icardi previously I am so sick of Ibrahimovic I would take him without question.
I am looking forward to the exits... I see Januzaj leaving as he won't fit into Whorezay's plan and hopefully Smalling, Fellaini and Jones follow