23 Aug 2024 15:16:09
Hi Ed, with a week to go before the window closes I was looking to see whether we had spoken direct with clubs regarding deals. It seems we have been speaking with Inacio through his agent over the last few weeks has that moved any further on directly with Sporting or is it very much dependant on Virgil leaving before Inacio would come to the club?

Is there anything else that’s a bit further down the line or is it still just a case of the club having interest in certain players but nothing further to be done this window? Thanks as always for all the work you do!

{Ed002's Note - Inacio's agent will be keeping Sporting informed.

There will be other work going on in the background.}

1.) 23 Aug 2024
23 Aug 2024 16:22:30
1 of Ed’s said same about varela also, them 2 would be nice, a midfielder or a under study for salah would be perfect for this window.

2.) 23 Aug 2024
23 Aug 2024 19:01:19
Agreed Magico, I think an understudy for Salah is needed - perhaps in January (similar to Diaz coming in Jan to replace Mane)
Unless Salah signs a new contract of course.

Varela and Inacio this window would be great though.

3.) 24 Aug 2024
24 Aug 2024 01:04:13
What does an ‘understudy’ do? Sits on the bench picking up tips from Mo in the hope he will be equally as good when Salah leaves next year? Maybe 10 mins on the pitch here and there?
No decent winger is going to do that. Much more likely when Mo leaves we buy a direct replacement and give him pre-season to learn what Slot needs him to do. Diaz didn't need a year to understudy Mane.

4.) 24 Aug 2024
24 Aug 2024 08:17:56
That's why I think it would make sense to bring someone in Jan instead. Give them a few months to settle in, learn the language, the culture, see the standard Salah sets in training and his daily routine and give them some games along the way.
That way there is less pressure and a better handover so he's ready to hit the ground running next season.
It also puts less pressure on our management team to scramble around and buy someone in the summer transfer window.

Knowing Edwards, he probably has a shortlist of players but will look at teams with a desperate need to sell in Jan (to cover a big injury picked up or for financial fair play reasons) then make a cheaper opportunistic signing.

{Ed002's Note - January is a difficult time to buy.}

5.) 24 Aug 2024
24 Aug 2024 09:34:07
Cannot believe we aren't in for Chiesa at that price. I know he has had injury issues in the past but Barcelona are getting a bargain at 15m surely? As close as a like for like replacement for Salah, there on the market at the right time.

6.) 24 Aug 2024
24 Aug 2024 10:23:31
Chiesa is not the same player he once was. Barcelona will be selling him again next summer if they sign him. Steer clear.

7.) 24 Aug 2024
24 Aug 2024 11:03:06
Could we not do the same if he doesn't work out? At the price, I would say it is worth the gamble.

He is versatile and I understand Slot tends to make changes to his wingers regularly during games, so he would get game time to assess, whilst leaving Salah as first choice starter for the majority of games. Still only 26 as well, so has plenty of time to have a return to peak.