12 Apr 2023 10:28:44
Morning Ed002,

Obviously many disappointed with the news last night, but I think when you take the emotion out of it it's probably the right call - we probably need 5/ 6 players to rebuild so doesn't make sense spending so much on one marquee signing.

I'd be really interested to know who you personally think the club should be realistically targeting to rebuild, based on what you know and who you believe there's interest in. What would an ideal and realistic summer look like in your opinion now?

As always, your insight is greatly appreciated.

Best

RS15.

{Ed002's Note - These are players where there has been some level of interest shown. Expect there to now be others as reality kicks in:

Alan Varela (DM) Boca youngster interesting Barcelona, Chelsea and Benfica. Newcastle, Liverpool and Braga have also sent scouts to watch the player. Questionable whether he would immediately be able to get a Work Permit to play in England or be an immediate first team player.
Florentino (DM) Scouts continue to watch Benfica but they have no interest in selling Florentino Luis unless his buy out clause is met. Seen by Real Madrid as a Casemiro replacement. Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool spoke with his agent last summer. Manchester City want to upgrade Kalvin Phillips and Florentino fits the bill. Benfica have said they do not intend to sell. For Liverpool he would realistically be a Fabinho replacement but they will be priced out of a move. PSG were interested a year ago but have moved on.
Ruben Neves (DM/CM) Wolves would look to get €50M should Neves be sold, and they may be more accepting of that now. Mr Mourinho is a huge fan and has tried to take him to three different clubs in the past - and he would, I am sure, be interested in taking him to Roma but their focus right now is elsewhere and there is no guarantee he will be there after the summer. He was always been seen as an option to replace Matic at Manchester United, but they didn't act at the time and had other priorities to deal with first and preferred options and now they have Casemiro. Unclear if they still might make an offer or perhaps see Nunes as more versatile. His agent has been actively offering him around and has spoken with Juventus who are looking to offload players but none that I would expect Wolves to be interested in and they have other priorities for their cash. Newcastle have a declared interest. Prior interest of Spurs and Liverpool may remain - and Paratici is certainly a fan. I suspect Liverpool see Nunes as more versatile. Arsenal interest has likely gone. Chelsea have other targets. There has been a discussion with Barcelona - but there is a huge difference in valuation and they are looking at others now.
Khephren Thuram (DM/CM) Interest of Manchester United has returned. Interest of Newcastle and Crystal Palace remains although I would discount Crystal Palace. RBL want him as a Laimer replacement and will push following initial discussions. Liverpool asked Nice about his availability given that they looking to add a more DM player and he could become foirst choice. If interest grows his price will rise and the club would sell given the emergence of Alexis Beka Beka and an impressive youngster in Reda Belahyane. Player wants PSG but they have no interest at this time.
Arthur Melo (DM/CM) May make enough of an impression for Liverpool to look for a reduced fee. Unlikely.
Ismael Bennacer (DM/CM) Player wants to stay and sign a new contract but financial demands are high. Interest of Manchester City has gone. Team Riaola are now involved and they will talk with Chelsea knowing that they have a need for such a player and that Milan and Chelsea are already discussing a number of other players. A return to Arsenal seems less likely although they may be keen. Manchester United and Liverpool are wildcard options but both have other targets. This could simply be a means to push Milan into increasing their offer. I suspect he will get the additional money he wants.
Matheus Nunes (CM/DM) Liverpool have looked at the Wolves player but deem him too expensive at £50M. Do not rule out Manchester City letting Kalvin Phillips go and replacing him with Nunes.
Adrian Rabiot (CM/DM) Juventus are looking to replace their midfield misfits (Zakaria, Arthur, McKennie, and Rabiot). They are looking to fund replacements they have already identified. Rabiot will, like every other player, be offered to Newcastle. A third party has been instructed to find him a new home and whilst he could have been used in part exchanges he has let his contract run down and will leave as a Free Agent in the summer. He was offered to Chelsea as part of a deal for any of several Chelsea players Juventus are interested in, but Chelsea wanted to keep transfers as clean as possible. With Manchester United struggling to find midfield players, he becomes a squad option but the wages being asked could kill off any deal. A return to PSG is seen as an option but PSG have preferred targets. Monaco is a good option. Approaches have been made to Barcelona - but they will look to others, and Arsenal who have a much preferred target but should not be discounted. Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle and Spurs may provide wildcard options and I would not rule out Liverpool or Arsenal trying to negotiate a deal. Out of contract in the summer.
Nicolo Barella (CM) Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have had approaches turned away. Don't be surprised of a significant offer from PSG or a further approach from Real Madrid - but Inter don't wish to sell and would no doubt demand something towards €100M or so. Liverpool or Spurs may show an interest but Inter have not been approached by either although they have sent scouts - perhaps another Bellingham option for Liverpool. The player does not wish to leave and is expected to sign a new contract. Long term interest of Chelsea went with the player wanting to stay in Italy - although they could yet try to persuade him otherwise. Wildcard may be an approach form Manchester United who have instructed a third party to enquire on their behalf.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (CM/AM/DM) Will be offered a new contract - if he refuses, which he will, they will only then look to sell. Juventus are very keen as they look to replenish their midfied, but Lazio will seek a huge fee which won't suit Juventus, but realistically his value has halved as he will only have 12 months left on his contract by the summer. There was also a discussion with Chelsea but they have other targets. Arenal offer an option but he would likely be an alternative to Declan Rice. West Ham and Newcastle will offer less tempting solutions to the player. Potentially another alternative to Bellingham for Manchester United and Liverpool who both know that he has become financially viable as he enters the last year of his contract this summer. Very versatile and would be a great signing if it could be done.
Piotr Zielinski (CM/AM) will be available in the summer but at 29 he may no longer be of interest to Liverpool - it could be a mistake or very short term solution only.
Mohammed Kudus (AM) Everton were told by Ajax that he was not for sale in the summer but interest may remain although the club have little chance of signing him. Ajax still don't want to sell and would no doubt look for well over the odds if any offers were made. Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have a declared interest. Barcelona may well look to making a bid for the player. Seen as an option to Tielemans by Arsenal. Eric ten Hag knows the player but he would be a Bruno Fernandes replacement if the club were to look at him. A player watched by Liverpool and Borrusia Moenchengladbach. As a wildcard Newcastle could look to partner Almiron with him and use Joelinton further forward.
Mason Mount (AM) Yet to agree a new contract and could depart if he is not more reasonable in his demands - and his demands are very significant. Real Madrid and Juventus, both via a third party, have asked after him. Juventus won't match his wage demands but they have a tax advantage, but I suspect they can be discounted unless a trade for Vlahovic, possibly including another player, could be arranged. Real Madrid are looking to move on a couple of high earners in the summer so could afford him, but it depends on departures. Manchester City have declared an interest with Chelsea during discussions over another player. Barcelona have made a direct approach to Chelsea but the salary demands would be an issue. There is no declared interest from PSG or Bayern Munich, who are two other clubs who could afford him, although with a change of coach the situation with Bayern may change. Chelsea are rather miffed with him after making what they consider was a very good offer, and will sell in the summer if a new contract is not agreed. Manchester United or Liverpool (who have been forced to declare an intererest), probably as an alternative to Bellingham, but they would likely not want to match his wage demands. However, change of agent leads potentially to the door of Manchester United.
Luka Sucic (CM/AM) There has been growing interest in the youngster with RBS fending off interest from Arsenal and Juventus by making it clear he is not for sale. This has not stopped the interest of Lazio who see the youngster as a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic replacement. Newcastle have spoken with RBS about the player and will make a bid. Milan have a declared interest but a move seems unlikely. RBS have said a number of other sides have sent scouts to watch him and this will include Liverpool, considering him as an alternative to Bellingham. The player has said he would like to play in Germany.
Alexis Mac Allister (CM/AM) Brighton are not looking to sell the player but are aware of interest from Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and, particularly, Atletico Madrid. Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs have had scouts attending Brighton games to watch several players and have apparently all taken note of him. Manchester City are keen. Could be hugely expensive. I suspect Liverpool will look to an offer.
Jesper Lindstrom (AM/LW/RW) Eintracht Frankfurt have said that they are aware of scouts from many sides have watched the player this season but none have declared an interest. These sides include Liverpool, perhaps looking for a replacement for Firmino or even Salah, Brentford and Spurs. Arsenal have spoken with his agent after spotting him whilst scouting another player.}

1.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 10:59:58
Cheers, Ed.

2.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 11:35:36
The alternatives in that list are encouraging to say the least.

My choice would be:

Mount
MacAllister
Thuram

I would pick Barella, although that seems very very unlikely.

Interesting to see Caicedo hasn't been mentioned. He would still be the pick of the bunch over any crop of midfielders in the current market. Class player, although would cost a ridiculous amount of money I suspect.

{Ed002's Note - Moises Caicedo (DM/CM) Arsenal have enquired after his availability and been told he is not for sale. Prior interest of Manchester United, dating back before he joined Brighton, remains. Liverpool have not made any approach to Brighton although they may have an interest in taking the player. West Ham and Chelsea have an interest - as do Newcastle who may push. A representative of the player says Brighton will demand a very significant fee after the player signed a new contract. Expect Arsenal to return in the summer to challenge Manchester United over his signature - but I expect MU to focus on Amrabat now.}

3.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 12:07:49
Ed002, outdone yourself again. Thank you.

Have a good afternoon mate!

4.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 12:23:00
Great update yet again Ed002, plenty more fish in the sea, let’s hope a few bite ?.

5.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 12:37:57
Thanks for the update Ed. Reality is that whoever we sign is not going to be top class as no player with any ambition will want to sign for a club so badly in decline with such unambitious owners and likely to be out of the CL for a very long time. Get used to mid table obscurity and the odd cup run is all I can say.

{Ed002's Note - The club are not in decline - players are lacking confidence and there will be concerns about Klopp departing.}

6.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 12:57:38
Klopp departing Ed002?

{Ed002's Note - Perhaps - he will get an offer but I expect him to stay.}

7.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 13:02:01
I can't see Klopp bolting, surely he stays to see this one through.
New ownership could change everything.

{Ed002's Note - I think it is unlikely he will leave this summer.}

8.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 13:02:57
I’m not disappointed at all and I agree that one player, no matter how good they are, will turn us around. We have good players that need to be played in a system that suit their strengths and spend smart. As good as Bellingham may well be, for what he would cost we could buy 3, maybe 4 very good players that could reinvigorate the team.

9.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 13:19:26
Interesting you say the players are lacking confidence, Ed. I feel like it's belief.

10.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 14:51:35
Hi Ed, summary gives a great insight into who possibly is being looked at, with some positive signs. I remember a while back being linked with Szoboszlai and seemingly his name has popped up again, is he a possible target or has the club shown no interest?

{Ed002's Note - No, he won't be moving to Liverpool. Other clubs are already in talks.}

11.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 16:49:11
Joao Palhinha has been mentioned quite a bit Ed anything regarding him? I’m a huge Mac Allister fan but that might be the Fantasy Premier League player in me speaking ? his expected numbers for goal contributions is as high as anyone in the league since they’ve moved him to a number 10 with Lallana out.

{Ed002's Note - Nothing has changed}

12.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 17:45:04
Great summary Ed appreciated very much. Do you think we are looking for at least 2 maybe 3 midfielders?

{Ed002's Note - I expect two if Fabinho stays.}

13.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 18:21:39
Care to estimate the transfer fee (not including agent fees) for MacAllister? I'm curious as to what Brighton want the market to be for him.

{Ed002's Note - Perhaps €80-90M.}

14.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 18:44:18
Legend Ed002, thanks for that immense effort. €80-90m is significantly cheaper than Bellingham then! I'm guessing he'll be at least €120-150m?

It really puts it in perspective. The reported asking prices for Thuram and Lindstrom are €35m apiece so if that were even close to the truth we could get them two and McAllister for not much more than Bellingham alone.

I think it's sensible to spread our costs out and strengthen several positions than blow everything on one 19 year old. As great as Jude is, Alli was a prodigy at 19 and now he's booed off in Turkey.

15.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 19:10:39
Thanks Ed! Incredible info today. Appreciate all the great work!

16.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 19:34:49
Thanks Ed02 - really appreciated.

17.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 21:30:19
I hope if not Bellingham we get Milinkovic-Savic + Barella. I like both of them.

18.) 13 Apr 2023
13 Apr 2023 13:35:20
That would be the ideal for me too VakPa - those two linking up with our forwards and also protecting the defense, it could be magnificent!

19.) 14 Apr 2023
14 Apr 2023 17:55:14
Apparently Dortmund asking 150m + add ons?

With signing bonus, agent fees, and add ons, would that be something approaching 200m?