Here’s a left field one.
If Mahrez or Sterling did leave, maybe even late in the window, the club decide not to rush into buying a replacement but didn’t want to be left relying too much on Palmer and or other youth players.
How about signing Bale for a year?
He was still very useful for Spurs last season, we have the best medical department in the country IMO, he wouldn’t be overused, but could rotate in.
He apparently wants to keep playing club football so he can keep playing for Wales and the other option seems to be Cardiff who aren’t going to be paying him anything much so wages aren’t an issue.
Could lend a lot of CL winning experience to a side losing 2 or 3 of its most experienced players, gives the club time to scout and negotiate for a long term RW and try out the kids and in return he gets to add playing for Pep to his resume and probably a PL title.