19 Apr 2023 16:53:13
I was all for moving on from Bellingham and signing 2 or 3 midfielders in his place. But if reports and media momentum are to be believed the players we're currently actively in talks with and have a declared interest are MacAllister, Mount and Gravenberch.

Don't get me wrong, I really like MacAllister. He walks into our team in my opinion.

But Mount and Gravenberch are surely not the best options? Mount reportedly wants about £240k a week which is crazy money for a player who has been out of form for a year now. Gravenberch is also reportedly on about £200k a week and more importantly is struggling in the Bundesliga, never mind the Prem.

It's obscene wages for 2 players who are simply "good players". Yes they might have cut price transfer fees and yes they improve the squad, but I'm not convinced they're the best allocation of circa £400-450k a week. Got Ox and Keita written all over it.

I really hope a Director of Football is appointed soon. We have to get it right this summer. Would anyone be happy with Mount and/ or Gravenberch?

1.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 17:40:15
Gravenberch I would take without being over the moon. Mount on the other hand, complete waste of money. Would take Jacob Ramsey over him all day as a like for like in terms of homegrown attacking midfielder.

Equally wouldn’t be over the moon about macallister. We need a strong powerful presence in midfield as number one priority and build the other signings from there.

2.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 18:00:58
When we went for Virgil in 2018 we also needed a keeper as our keepers were Migs and Karius. We decided to still go for that Ferrari defender and return in the next window for another Ferrari of a keeper.

Imagine if we had walked away back then over the price and need for more players and signed a 40 mill centre half and 30 mill keeper instead of them pair.

3.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 18:04:09
On those wages they need to be improving the team significantly and I cannot see either of them doing that.

Mount will stay at Chelsea. MacAllister will be too expensive and Graverberch will tick all the boxes but struggle to adapt.

We better have better irons in the fire.

4.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 18:07:15
Fabrizio Romano, the "all knowing one", wrote today that Klopp would be "heavily involved" in the transfers this coming summer. This actually makes me very nervous. Klopp as manager, yes, definitely one of the best. Klopp as a quasi un-official director of football, no, thank you. There has to be a clear separation between the two.

Mac Allister at under 150/ week is probably okay. Mount and Gravenberch at or over 200k/ week is being out of your mind.

I'll repeat here that I think one of Mount or Gallagher will join, because our midfield needs help, and mostly so does our homegrown quota. I don't see Gravenberch starting at all. I'd take Mac Allister, one of Mount or Gallagher and Kephren Thuram. If Bellingham is definitely out of our plans.

5.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 18:13:14
Agree MK. Like I said a few weeks ago, I’m not worried about Failing to sign Bellingham.
My only worry is the standard of the rumoured alternatives, the Drop Off in quality is horrendous.

6.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 18:34:16
Surly Bellingham + likes of mcalister + top quality cb isn't asking too much for the summer transfer window? £250m would cover it.

{Ed025's Note - thats only buttons digger.. :)

7.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 18:35:58
MKS, I can deal with Mount ONLY cos he is who Klopp wants and I can kinda see what Klopp could be trying to do with him at face value.

MacCalister? I doubt that will happen cos Brighton don't have to sell and neither is he agitating for a move right now, per Ed01.

Gravenberch? I have NO opinion on him cos he does not even play so don't know what he is like. There's better value out there, IMO

Gallagher? Sorry, that's where I draw the line. Even as a squad player, we can do WAY better than him even tho, I can see him coming in as one.

As for Klopp being "more involved" with transfers like @ArAy1969, that troubles me too cos he is NOT the best at spotting talent. I mean, the guy had the hots for Adama traore, for heaven's sake. Not on board with that at all.

8.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 19:35:20
Just not sure Mount's end product is good enough myself. He seems to have purple patches in seasons and then disappear for months.

9.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 19:43:47
Ed25. If we beat forest for use at weekend after beating leeds I'd be expecting u to contribute to the summer 'warchest'. drop in the ocean for u anyway.

{Ed025's Note - i do have lots of money digger...but dont spend much, by the way my nickname is FSG mate.. :)

10.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 20:48:58
I’m not really sure I’d take any English player apart from JB. Most are overrated, and definitely overpriced. Not really sure what all the fuss in Mount is about. Chelsea are awful and he can’t even get into the team. Why would we sign him and why would we give him those wages. He isn’t an elite footballer, he’s a season away from ending up at Palace or somewhere.

11.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 21:19:10
Monty, the issue is we do have to look at English players. We have to register at least 8 “homegrown” players in the premier league squad of 25. Or a maximum of 17 non homegrown players - Players aged 21 or under can be homegrown but do not need to be registered. As things stand now we have 7 registered and 5 of them are leaving - so we need to address this either through youth promotion or recruitment.

12.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 21:20:13
I’d give Gallagher a try if he’s available and want to come. Hardworking all action midfielder fits the bill for our team. Mount I do like as a number 10 but he don’t play that way so a bit of a waste IMO. We need midfielders and defenders not attackers right now.

13.) 19 Apr 2023
19 Apr 2023 21:38:49
Ur hardly that tight ed25!

{Ed025's Note - tell my bird that digger, i haven,t given her housekeeping for 5 years mate..

14.) 20 Apr 2023
20 Apr 2023 00:03:22
Quite like Mount, I think the lads got some great potential.
But the prices being banded about for him are obscene.

15.) 20 Apr 2023
20 Apr 2023 00:52:42
I hope we stay away from Mount. Move Trent up and sign Walker-Peters from Saints. Bring in two other mids and get JB in 2024 when he's down to one year.

16.) 20 Apr 2023
20 Apr 2023 07:12:21
Mount simply isn’t a centre midfielder. Just another run of the mill attacking midfielder with delusions or being able to play in the middle.

17.) 20 Apr 2023
20 Apr 2023 10:55:52
As you say Red Flyer, what happens if Trent is moved into midfield?

We sign a good rb to cover? That guy from Leverkusen is well rated - an option?

A good holding midfielder with Trent one side and Bellingham the other would be a great midfield, no? (Awk I know we've said we're not signing Bellingham, but we said that about VVD etc as well, let me live in hope lol?

But Trent could be a good option as the rcm spot (could also cover rb lol if needed) - I think we still need a good holding midfielder as well though - opinions lads?

18.) 20 Apr 2023
20 Apr 2023 12:14:55
I would not be happy with mount and or granenberch instead of Bellingham, but Hay hum, that's the way the dark rum hums.

19.) 20 Apr 2023
20 Apr 2023 14:12:31
Gallagher. seriously? Dreadful. We seriously are in bargain bin if that's the calibre. Mount another 1 up his own arse. We'll end up signing Arthur 100%.