It's Quiet - a new dawn

[Akiva]

See my post above. Pickford is coming to City. I'll be absolutely staggered if he doesn't considering who's saying it.

It's a Sunderland source though.

Plenty of City sources, and even the player himself, are on Ederson to City. There's way too much smoke for no fire on that.

Meanwhile Pickford hasn't been linked to City in an age. Today's Express links him to Everton and, on Sunday, BR said he's off to Arsenal.

I hear you but my gut just says that its gonna end up not happening. :(

I know how you feel, but you'd have to imagine City would make Juve, and Bonucci, offers they can't refuse if they really want him.

Walker stories have come from Wembley. City are without question front of the queue and it looks like Spurs are gonna sell. Mendy has come from French journalist so less concrete or sure.

Walker I can believe. He wants out, though I question how easy it would be for City to negotiate with Levy on him. I feel the price, considering English Tax, could well balloon beyond our comfort zone and it's a position with other, cheaper alternatives.

As for Mendy, well, it's anybody's guess about Monaco players as so many are linked to so many clubs. I see us getting one Monaco player at least, though Fabinho/Mbappe have been most discussed round here, courtesy of @tolmie's hairdoo

Now, you mentioned City would be out on Mbappe for £100m, but you mentioned Kun there too. Say he goes and we get 60-70m, does that change the game? And where does Griezmann fit into this?

 

[FantasyIreland]

I think Denayer will move up from Sunderland. Southampton or Bournemouth would like him, he's got potential but currently offers value.

Left to his own devices he'll probably want to go to Galatasaray again.

I hope he does stay in the Premiership,he has proven he can handle it and in a team with better players i'm sure he can improve.

Regards Pickford,i too would be very underwhelmed - i certainly dont see him as a keeper any better than Gunn.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

I see City are already briefing that Mbappe is too expensive.

I do worry a little about whether the right players are out there.

We desperately need to replace Yaya, we need cover for Silva and of course we need fullbacks. So far the only strong link to replace him is Carvalho who hasn't really impressed as yet. We have been linked with Isco who looks likely to stay at Real. As for full backs we've been linked with FAbinho, Mendy, Walker, Rose and Kolasinac.

 

[BillyShears]

Now, you mentioned City would be out on Mbappe for £100m, but you mentioned Kun there too. Say he goes and we get 60-70m, does that change the game? And where does Griezmann fit into this?

On Aguero, City "expect" him to be with us next season but are giving zero guarantees because the decision will be as much Aguero's as it is ours. If he were to move then Mbappe's fee will not be the issue it currently is.

I've not asked or spoken to anyone on Griezman but also nobody has mentioned him to me as a serious target.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I

Now, you mentioned City would be out on Mbappe for £100m, but you mentioned Kun there too. Say he goes and we get 60-70m, does that change the game? And where does Griezmann fit into this?

I think its all about where Aguero ends up.

 

[BillyShears]

You are killing me here Ahsan. I can't remember the last time we signed 2 players I want less than Pickford and Walker.

Walker as well - he's just the exact opposite of the Alaba, Lahm, Kimmich- thoughtful, prepositionally aware and tactically flexible fullback - that w'eve been lead to believe Pep wants.

Haha. Well don't shoot the messenger. As it happens I believe the Pickford situation/story more than Walker.

On Walker, these stories have come out of Wembley this weekend and depending on who you believe, Spurs have told Walker they'll listen to offers for him because Poch doesn't see him in his future plans, or, Walker has told Spurs he wants out. Either way it sounds like he's on the market. I would tend to agree that he doesn't strike me as a Pep full back because of his tactical inflexibility.

That Xavi/Ali story has also proper muddied the waters for me. Feels like WE planted it. Very weird. The quotes were a proper set up IMO.

 

[OB1]

Haha. Well don't shoot the messenger. As it happens I believe the Pickford situation/story more than Walker.

On Walker, these stories have come out of Wembley this weekend and depending on who you believe, Spurs have told Walker they'll listen to offers for him because Poch doesn't see him in his future plans, or, Walker has told Spurs he wants out. Either way it sounds like he's on the market. I would tend to agree that he doesn't strike me as a Pep full back because of his tactical inflexibility.

That Xavi/Ali story has also proper muddied the waters for me. Feels like WE planted it. Very weird. The quotes were a proper set up IMO.

You ain't exactly filling me with joy today; although no bullets aimed in your direction.

Txiki out ;-)

 

[Akiva]

I mean, Pickford only seems to lump the ball because that's all Sunderland have to offer. That said, there's really no point to him at all. At least Gunn has had a year with Pep and Bravo.

On Aguero, City "expect" him to be with us next season but are giving zero guarantees because the decision will be as much Aguero's as it is ours. If he were to move then Mbappe's fee will not be the issue it currently is.

I've not asked or spoken to anyone on Griezman but also nobody has mentioned him to me as a serious target.

Interesting, though it's obvious the club was never going to move on their star player unless he wanted the move.

If I'm getting you right, at the minute you expect;
Pickford
Walker
Central Defender (Laporte? VVD?)
Mendy
Sanchez/Coman

What about a central/defensive midfielder (Yaya replacement), a playmaker (think Isco) to cover Silva/KDB, and options for the bench?

We are losing five players minimum this summer, so I'd expect more than this.

 

[nmc]

Bit gutted as City have briefed that they like Mbappe but won't go to 100 million for him this summer which is what Monaco are asking. Not whilst Sergio's still a City player.

Pickford is going to be the keeper we sign this summer. We'll land Mendy + Walker too IMO. Bonucci is going to bottle it again i fear. And it's Sanchez or Coman for the winger.

Only position i can't get a handle on is DM/CM. I hope it's not Carvallo.

As good as Mbappe looks he has to be a risk - for 100m + you need to be buying certainty for that kind of money. If Griezmann has an £85m release clause - as reported. He has to be the better option.

 

[BillyShears]

Interesting, though it's obvious the club was never going to move on their star player unless he wanted the move.

If I'm getting you right, at the minute you expect;
Pickford
Walker
Central Defender (Laporte? VVD?)
Mendy
Sanchez/Coman

What about a central/defensive midfielder (Yaya replacement), a playmaker (think Isco) to cover Silva/KDB, and options for the bench?

We are losing five players minimum this summer, so I'd expect more than this.

I've got literally no idea who the CM/DM will be. Incoming I'd expect 7 players including a keeper.

On the centre half if we don't get Bonucci it'll probably be VVD. The manner in which things went south with Laporte guarantees we won't go back to him.

 

[The Blue one!]

I've got literally no idea who the CM/DM will be. Incoming I'd expect 7 players including a keeper.

On the centre half if we don't get Bonucci it'll probably be VVD. The manner in which things went south with Laporte guarantees we won't go back to him.

You heard about Sanchez mate ?

 

[nmc]

Five games? Six?

You regularly watch the Brasileiro Série A and are judging his performances there in comparison to Leroy Sane playing in the Bundesliga or Raheem Sterling in the Premier League? OK.

But nobody here is demonstrating any shiny new toy syndrome, except possibly you, and to come in here and accuse others of it in a transfer speculation is just being an asshole.

We are lucky - Jesus and Sane are both exceptional talents. Sane will tear this league apart over the next 5 years - our biggest issue will be keeping him - Real, Bayern, and Barca will be queuing up for him (and Jesus) soon enough. We probably have 2 of the best young players in the planet in our squad. On Sunday Sane was the key he made so may runs in and behind but without Silva we never found the killer pass.

 

[BillyShears]

You heard about Sanchez mate ?

Nothing different to what Tolmie, Ric, and the guys who are really ITK have said. Sanchez is 100% wanted at City. Arsenal are very reluctant to sell to us. But it's his preferred destination so we can do a deal.

 

[nmc]

I've got literally no idea who the CM/DM will be. Incoming I'd expect 7 players including a keeper.

On the centre half if we don't get Bonucci it'll probably be VVD. The manner in which things went south with Laporte guarantees we won't go back to him.

Got a feeling Chelsea will get VVD.

 

[cadds92]

If we do get Pickford he won't be coming here as 2nd choice because Bravo will still be here.

If true it's going to be huge for Pickford going from fighting relegation to being expected to keep the likes of Messi and Ronaldo out in a Champions League knockout game.

Saying that, didn't Peter Shilton get relegated with Stoke before going to Forest and winning 2 European Cups?

 

[pavelsrnicek]

I've got literally no idea who the CM/DM will be. Incoming I'd expect 7 players including a keeper.

On the centre half if we don't get Bonucci it'll probably be VVD. The manner in which things went south with Laporte guarantees we won't go back to him.

With Kolarov totally out of favour of late I wonder if Pep won't push for a left footed centre half.

The CM/ DM position for me is the most important but Carvalho aside there hasn't been any links which is baffling. After seeing the effect of Silva's injury of Sunday I'd be stunned if we aren't looking for another Silva/ KdB type this summer. If not we're only inviting teams to kick either or both off the park.

 

[BillyShears]

Got a feeling Chelsea will get VVD.

Yeah. But Chelsea have got a marker down for Bonucci too. Would be a slick move from them if they landed VVD ahead of us whilst Bonucci ended up staying in Turin.

This summer's market isn't just going to be about landing your targets, it's equally going to be about seeing what damage landing your targets does to your rivals.

 

[BillyShears]

With Kolarov totally out of favour of late I wonder if Pep won't push for a left footed centre half.

The CM/ DM position for me is the most important but Carvalho aside there hasn't been any links which is baffling. After seeing the effect of Silva's injury of Sunday I'd be stunned if we aren't looking for another Silva/ KdB type this summer. If not we're only inviting teams to kick either or both off the park.

The issue is going to be money. Players who are good enough for us are all going to be in excess of 40 million pounds. Especially in those key positions. Financially i'm not sure we can do 8 first team players this summer without at least one if not two being bargains (under 20 million). I expect we'll spend probably gross close to 250 million. That's six 40 million pound players on average plus a 10 million bargain thrown in.

 

[_OVO_]

If we do get Sanchez, think Pep might play him in midfield? He does have the energy and appetite to go back & help the defense.
Silva will be 32 next season, so When Silva is rested or injured (same applies to Kevin). We could see something like this.

-------Pickford/Ederson---------
Walker--Stones---VVD---Mendy
---------Tolisso(any dm)--------
--------KDB------Sanchez------
Sane--------Sergio--------Jesus

When Silva is fit / other option:

-------Pickford/Ederson---------
Walker--Stones---VVD---Mendy
---------Tolisso(any dm)--------
--------KDB------Silva---------
Raz--------Gabby------Sanchez

 

[Akiva]

Thoughts, @tolmie's hairdoo ? :)

Yeah. But Chelsea have got a marker down for Bonucci too. Would be a slick move from them if they landed VVD ahead of us whilst Bonucci ended up staying in Turin.

This summer's market isn't just going to be about landing your targets, it's equally going to be about seeing what damage landing your targets does to your rivals.

I agree.

How well placed are City in this area? I know Txiki hasn't exactly been the most successful in the past, but given financial pull and the Pep factor, I'd imagine we would have an advantage over our rivals.