If it is true that Joao Felix is renewing with Benfica, i think we should take this approach in the window...
CB = De Ligt / Skriniar
DM/CM = Rodri
CAM = Houssem Aouar
FW/ST - Nicolas Pepe
I never understood personally why we wanted both Joao Felix and Bruno Fernandes. Felix plays in a number 10 position and by the look of Bruno Fernandes and his statistics, he is also very offensive.
I think acquiring Rodri is key for us really, we need a midfielder who can come in and fill Fernandinho's role long term. I also think a CB is essential also seeing as it is very likely Otamendi and Kompany will leave in the summer. I have always said that when it gets to the crunch games and the pressure mounts, Kompany is always required particularly for his leadership. Laporte and Stones is a very good pairing aesthetically, but when the going gets tough, we need a defender who is a little bit more streetwise with a better overall presence on the field. De Ligt looks fantastic for his age and seems to be a born leader, Skriniar from what i have seen looks a very rough, physical defender who has that presence about him on the field that every team needs. Ideally i would love Koulibaly, but their owner will charge an arm and a leg and he is in his prime already.
As for CM/CAM positions, i think Houssem Aouar fits the bill perfectly. He seems adaptable playing as a 6, an 8, a 10 and on the wings. Pep loves a player who can play various positions and he has already made it clear he is a huge fan of Aouar. He has a very good work ethic off the ball, plenty of energy and on the ball he has so much quality, he would make more sense to me than Bruno Fernandes.
We also clearly need a player who can play all across the front line, particularly seeing as Aguero will be leaving over the next few seasons. I don't think Jesus is good enough to replace Aguero and this is where Pepe comes in. From what i have seen, he has all the tools. He is powerful, he is skillful, he is physical, his movement is excellent, he can finish well, he just looks the perfect fit for our side and one that can play in a central attacking position as well as playing out wide. Jesus is too one dimensional for me, Pep requires a player who can do a bit of everything and Pepe looks like he can do that. If you need a player to lead the line, Pepe looks like he has the physical attributes as well as technical attributes to mix it with the Premier League defenders.
You will be looking at...
De Ligt 75m / Skriniar 60m
Rodri 60m
Aouar 60m
Pepe 60m
Estimated cost of 240m - 255m. If we can get 3/4 options in these positions, i would be very happy.