15 May 2025 10:35:23
Been mulling over our striker options given that Isak is probably not going to happen due to cost as Newcastle are almost certain of Champions League.
I always like us to find a deal rather than necessarily pay top price, and that keeps me returning to Lookman.
Initially, I dismissed him - why would we want a Toffees cast off - however he really seems to be flourishing at Atalanta. His goal output isn't massive compared to others, but from what I have read he is as much a creator like Bobby was (let me know if I am wrong!) as he's hitting around 20 G/A in each of the last 3 seasons in Serie A.
On the downside, he plays for Nigeria wo will be going to AFCON. He's also turning 28 later this year, so it's not the youth purchase, but he still has a few seasons left.
However, on the upside, he's very quick, knows the EPL (albeit hasn't hit great numbers in the EPL for Leicester, Fulham or Everton), he is available (if reports are to be believed) for c. £50m or thereabouts, and he is HG.
What do other folks think? Is he the sensible choice when compared to Sesko or Ekitike who are both more expensive, not HG and don't have EPL experience?
15 May 2025 11:59:30
Laying the bait for Viktor there, zed.
15 May 2025 12:14:06
Zed seen a link yesterday that Atalanta are interested in Chiesa and LFC in Lookman so there could be legs to this one.
15 May 2025 12:26:23
Yup, PB. Fortunately, if you exclude Vik and the various Harry regens, then there's actually some interesting opinions on the site! Just skip over the negative ninny posts!
15 May 2025 12:30:59
Zed, I love Lookman to bits too (not arsed about his Toffee either but my reasons for that are diff. ) BUT he is best out wide. If we are going to need a striker then we need to actually, get a striker whoever that may be.
15 May 2025 12:41:05
Osimhem, Chuna or Sesko for me and probably in that order. Instead of signing Lookman you might as well just keep Diaz down the middle and Jota (if he stays) on the bench or visa versa.
15 May 2025 12:53:50
Big summer for Hughes. He’s had a full year to get this right. Don’t blow it Dicko.
15 May 2025 12:55:39
Actually, I had forgotten about Osimhen - Napoli also interested in Chiesa so a creative option there too. Wasn't aware that Lookman played more out wide that ST - folks are right, in which case we have Diaz (who does look like he is staying) .
Osimhen, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo, Cherki and Doak would do me up front! We have some depth (with Diaz or Gakpo through the middle during AFCON and also Frimpong able to play the Salah role too)
15 May 2025 13:05:48
Lookman is a winger, he’s certainly nothing like Firmino. He doesn’t physical presence to be any kind of centre forward and he’s not got Firmino’s intelligence on the ball.
Given his age (he’s 28 this year) and the fact he’ll be off to the AFCON, it would be a silly transfer as he is at the wrong end of his career and having another forward who’ll be away for four or five weeks is extremely disruptive.
He’s not worth anywhere near the fee that Atalanta want, plus he seems like a fragile ego who can’t take criticism and given how Slot doesn’t pull punches do we really want a player who cries in public when the manager criticises him? And that’s without mentioning his toffee past which is a big mark against him,
To go from talk of Isak and Alvarez to the likes of Lookman or Joao Pedro isn’t as much a steep drop off in quality as effing vertical. Lookman is Spurs level, not the level of a title winning team.
{Ed025's Note - do you think him once playing for Everton is a factor Victor?.. really?..
15 May 2025 13:11:59
Osimhen would definitely be my first choice as well.
15 May 2025 13:42:24
VV is on a roll today Ed025 ?.
{Ed025's Note - he is certainly mellowing Barry..
15 May 2025 13:56:17
Hi @ed025 shouldn't make any difference regarding if they played for the toffees, now United on the other hand!
Wanted to ask if your still as joyous about the arrival of Moyes as you were. Least it will be a change of subject regarding trent.
Keep up the good work.
{Ed025's Note - hi SM, im still on the fence regarding Moyes mate, he is a very pragmatic manager and i would like to see us play with a bit more flair as opposed to a load of grafters, maybe with some new additions he could surprise me....but im not holding my breath..
15 May 2025 14:50:20
Don’t complicate it, just get Cunha.
15 May 2025 13:59:59
If he played for Everton he is not good enough for Liverpool. Those days are gone Everton are a championship team playing in the Prem. Lookman is nowhere near good enough to play for Liverpool reminds me of Sterling which is not a good thing in any way shape or form.
15 May 2025 22:09:59
Cunha or Oshimen. Not convinced by the rest outside of Isak/ Alvarez who we re unlikely to get.