14 Jul 2021 15:45:51
Now while signing Saul would be fantastic its really not financially possible for the club, both transfer fee and huge wages, next on the list would be Bissouma and while its easier to imagine that deal happening would it not be better to just keep the money?

Lets say the club find a buyer for Minamino, Karius, Shaqiri, Origi, Davies or Phillips, Ojo, Wilson and Awoniyi. Would that raise maybe £20-30m? Maybe the club could use that money to bring down the massive debt they are in, no club is too big to end up a financial mess like Leeds were.
Obviously I appreciate that's the sensible boring option and signing Saul or Bissouma the Malen puts us well in the title picture, but getting the bank balance out of the red should be first and foremost.

Now Gini does need replacing but surely even his biggest fan would admit he was average at best last season, I understand he was playing within himself so as not to jeopardize his huge next contract, which he got. So well done to the lad and good luck, but now its time for his replacement to step up.

For me given what he offered the team last year surely between Jones, Keita, Grujic and Ox they can fill the gap.

14 Jul 2021 16:01:05
I'd imagine the fringe players will raise over 50m mate. I'd make conservative estimates of 5m for Minamino, 4m for Karius, 10m for Shaqiri, 10m for Origi, 12m for Grujic, 10m for Phillips, 2m for Davies, 3m for Ojo, 4m for Awoniyi, 10m for Wilson. That's 70m with low estimates. So with it likely a few of them might only leave on loan, 50m is a safe estimate. I know there are other costs involved even when selling players, but to say we'll only get £20m from sales is next level pessimism!

Also worth noting we have sell on clause for Luis Alberto who looks likely to be moving. Shoot me down in a ball of fire if you think my prices are overly optimistic but i'd say if we get less than that for any of those players we've been ripped off.

I suspect the 50-70m we can make will be made available to Klopp to sign a forward and a midfielder. I'd actually be fuming with Edwards if he let those 10 players go for 20-30m.

14 Jul 2021 16:03:33
For all the players u listed above

Mina 7-10m
Origin 10m
Shaq 13m
Wilson 10m
Grujic 10m

Rest maybe for free

If we manage to sell all players we want to bar keita and ox.
I can see ua get 50m in fees


I am not considering other associated cost.

14 Jul 2021 16:46:57
When did fans start spending the summer getting excited about reducing debt instead of signing new players? stop worrying about paying the bills and look forward to them nice new shiny toys folks!

14 Jul 2021 16:56:19
Haha Havertz like I say I know it's the boring option and new players are always fun, but it would be nice to have this great club debt free.

But if my prices for the outgoing players were too low, then maybe some new signings and banking some cash is possible.

14 Jul 2021 16:58:14
I think those estimates (MK and Bhav) are pretty close to the mark - the key issue will be actually selling those players, but I think we will this year as hanging on for the right fee would be more logical when we are not solely dependant on sales to fund incomings, which I believe we are this year.

As an aside, its not beyond the realm of possibility that we also sell Keita, which would boost coffers by £20-£30m in this market.

Thinking about it more closely, I think its Saul's wages rather than upfront fee that is the bigger issue. There is a massive gap between the wages that Saul is receiving and those of the other prospects. Bissouma, Tielemans, Neuhaus, Anguissa - they all currently earn between £20k-£60k per week. So even a pay rise would likely see them on around £100k or less, well within our wage structure (Keita earns £120k, Shaqiri £80k, Ox £120k, Minamino £75k etc) .

Bissouma, for example, may cost more than Saul in transfer fee, but will no doubt want around 1/ 3 or less in wages and isn't going to upset our pay structure.

The more I think about it, the more I believe it will be one of the other CMs - Bissouma or Neuhaus would be my shout - plus someone like Raphinha (currently earning c£90k) as the forward position. What helps is that Brighton have (allegedly) an interest in Phillips and Leeds in Wilson, which may help smooth the path.

14 Jul 2021 16:59:11
Sorry, Raphinha is actually on around c£20-£25k per week, the c£90k is a monthly figure.

14 Jul 2021 17:47:15
I don't think we need to worry about finances, i heard the same things before we bought vvd and Allison.
Enjoy the ride and hopefully we'll get some surprises.

14 Jul 2021 19:25:43
Valuations I agree with them all and maybe we squeeze a little more. However Karius, not sure he would fetch anything.

14 Jul 2021 20:59:40
Always a red, in specific response as to why the four you named can’t fulfil the void,

Jones is too raw, isn’t alert enough and doesn’t move the ball on quickly enough to fulfil the role, I think as a more attacking midfielder he’d be more effective and should take Keita’s place. Which leads me nicely to.

Keita, in the whole time he’s been here he’s not shown any desire or fight, shown nothing to remotely suggest that he’s a top class midfielder. Lacks work ethic, is injury prone, has a poor attitude and has “off the field distractions”. He should be shown the door. Not deserving of any more opportunities,

Grujic, is going to be sold, that’s pretty much common knowledge. So he’s not an option,

Ox, too injury prone to be relied on as a starter.

That’s why we need to buy.