How Much Better Can We Get? - The Transfers, Rumors & Lies Thread

I'm just going to say it here: from what I have seen of Saliba, I don't rate him as highly as some of you seem to do. Sure, he's a fairly complete and a very good player overall, but I wouldn't break the bank for him (that's what I basically mean with not rating him as highly as some here, not to be mistaken with not rating him at all..). I guess I've been spoiled with Ramos, Pepe, Varane, Rudiger and now hopefully another massive player in Huijssen.

If we can get Konate on a free or on a relatively good deal this summer, I would go for it.

 

Does Konate start for the French national team?

 

No idea to be honest. Saliba is starter for the NT I believe, and rightfully so. My point is that I don't necessarily believe we should pay a substantial fee for Saliba, if we can get Konate on a free (or good deal this summer). I do think Saliba is overall a better player though.

 

If Saliba is indeed available and better than Konate, then go for him. Better to pay double for a player that improves the team than half for a player that doesn’t bring anything we can’t get elsewhere.

 

I doubt Perez will target another center-back this summer. His priorities are likely a left-back and a central midfielder. Xabi already has Asencio, Rüdiger, and Huijsen at his disposal. Tchouaméni will probably be used as a CB before Alaba sees the field again. As it stands, we have six players on the roster who can fill in at center-back.

If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t spend anything on Konaté this summer when he could be available for free next year. Saliba would cost at least €90 million, and if we fail to land Konaté on a free next summer, then I’d consider going after Saliba.

Asencio’s development could also shape our transfer strategy next summer. I’ve been critical of him over the last two games, but I get it — Ramos and Pepe used to scare the life out of me back in the day. If Asencio keeps progressing, Perez won’t need to splash €90 million on a center-back. A free Konaté would be more than enough for depth and rotation.

 

You get Carreras and he can fill in for CB in some games. Mendy can still be useful when he's on and Fran isn't garbage and provides some value. He's just not a starter. Carreras opens up a lot.

 

So Konate to eventually replace Rudiger NEXT summer.

Possibly Saliba to replace Alaba NEXT summer too?

 

probably one of the two.... not both. Unless Xabi commits to 3 at the back....because Huijsen has to play.

 

what do you guys think of Romero as a CB option?

 

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Rodrygo’s father received multiple offers from Premier League clubs and REJECTED them. @MarioCortegana

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Arsenal are ready to wait and see whether Rodrygo is willing to leave and if Real Madrid would sell. @MarioCortegana @TheAthleticFC

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Club sources say that Rodrygo’s attitude has changed for the better under Xabi Alonso.

The coach has also been very attentive to him. @MarioCortegana @TheAthleticFC

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In recent months, Rodrygo's father Eric Goes complained about his son's situation to Real Madrid, which has not gone down well at the club. @MarioCortegana

 

Ozil's dad II.

 

I think 3 at the back is where he's eventually going to go, considering the CB stack we currently have and that Trent is better higher up the field.

 

If true, what's he complaining about to the club?

At least Ozil was an absolute key player that consistently provided elite performances and elite numbers, and was on a trajectory to becoming a major legend for the club, before his father did what he did and overplayed his hand with Perez. Also, Ozil was also arguably the best AM in the world and adored by the fans (to this day!).

Rodrygo, while a very good player and while he's been important to our success, has not reached those heights. Furthermore, he's considered a starter at the club, though has been held back by his inconsistency. If the 'situation' concerns not being able to play in the positions where Mbappe and Vini (two players that are beyond any doubt better players) are playing, then I feel the father is being irrational and unrealistic.

I'd say Rodrygo has nothing to complain about to the club. The club treated him very well so far in my opinion.

 

This might be the writing on the wall that says Xabi has realized the "problem" with the team is not Rodrygo (or Vini or Jude or Fed) and maybe Mbappe is the player who is going to be looked at with greater scrutiny for his role in why the entire team underperformed.

Mabye this explains a certain players mystery illness and absence from the Club World Cup when it would seem like a player with ambitions to win individual awards would not miss out on such an opportunity.

 

That is your interpretation of a report that "Rodrygo's attitude has improved"? You have truly lost the plot.


Tell me, how is Mbappe hurting you in this picture?

 

Ozil was a very good, even great player but he lacked for lack of a better word a certain amount of toughness or killer instinct. I know there is a story out there of Mou calling him a coward, which is over the top because that just wasn't his personality or m.o.

Ozil wasn't asked play out of position like Rodrygo or do the running for Benzema on defense. Ozil was a good creator but he couldn't create for himself and score goals. All things Rodrgyo has been made responsible for doing.

Either way Ozil never rescued the team from a CL knockout and then went on to win the title. I don't like the fact that we are hearing from third party sources a parent is complaining about the club but that's really about where the similarity of the two situations ends.

 

Oh c'mon man, read the writing on the wall. There aren't any stories about Mbappe's change in attitude or rejuvenation under the new coach.

As a matter of fact he hasn't featured at all in the Club World Cup and didn't even travel with the team last match - yet, he was healthy enough to not need a break at the end of the season so he could chase his individual awards like the Golden Boot and just a couple of weeks ago he was healthy enough to suit up for France.

Something seems off.

I would expect a player with Balon d' Or ambitions to be chomping at the bit to run up his goal stats against some minnows from the Mexico, unless of course he has some alterior motives such as not wanting to "suffer" with the heat or hoping the team fails without him so he can create circumstances more favorable for himself where he can't be blamed but he can be a hero.

 

He was literally hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. Let me guess, that was all an elaborate ruse to distract from our new manager secretly wanting to immediately get rid of our top scorer, the reigning Pichichi and European Golden Boot winner?

 

this is next level stuff

 

Trade Rodrygo plus cash for Vitinha, we're set to dominate Europe again for the next 5 years.

 

forget Vitinha...not happening anytime soon with Nasser...and PSG doesn't need a LW....they have Kvara now and it's working well for them.

 

Perez was just not offered enough man.
It ain't an Alonso decision it never is.
Both rodrygo and Vinnie dipped last season (Vinnie much more).
Mbappe is ain't going no where so I sure hope Alonso don't keep this trio in the front. Rodrygo most likely to be benches. He's also cheaper on salary, so we can take one more year of him.
It is a risk though because if he's not playing much he's value will drop

 

Looking at the midfield options on the market, among attainable players there may not be anyone the club is in love with. Guys like Stiller and Zubimendi being mentioned, I think the club might consider them over priced at 60m.... club might consider them 30-40m players.

When you factor in the fact that we still have Cama, Arda and even Tchouameni to develop, there might be an argument for the club save it's cash for when a truly tier 1 midfielder is available.

In that case, if Rodrygo is sold and we want a tier 1 player, I say drop the cash on Saliba. Carreras, Huijsen, Saliba, Trent, Asencio,....our defense is truly solid for the next 5 years easy.

Keep Ceballos and revisit midfield next year.

Just speculating.