Gabriel
Well-Known Member
Not sure we would get anywhere near £20m. The issue is that the championship clubs are likely to be suffering financial issues. That affects his value, he is a great prospect at any level but I doubt Prem clubs would pay that much for potential and Championship clubs are not going to be paying big for anyone.
I'd love him to do well at city but I think the timing with us looking to effectively replace Stones and Otamendi in the squad is not going to go well. If both those two move on and Garcia doesn't resign then he has a great chance but I doubt that it pans out that way. Ota and Stones are on big wages and will be difficult to shift.
At the same time, Otamendi and Stones are at the stages in their careers where they need to move. I think Otamendi stayed last year, perhaps a little reluctantly, and did us a favour when it became evident that Kompany was leaving and we could not replace him. For that reason, I suspect he’ll end up in Valencia (for example) after our CL campaign closes. Stones needs to leave to rebuild his career. He’d know Arteta and Lampard might need a back if he fancies London, or Everton/Leeds might appeal if he wants to stay in the north.
I think we might need to take hits on those two and use either Adarabioyo/Sandler as cover this season. It may boost their value if the market revives next summer. As you say, we’re not going to get top dollar for younger players this summer, so it’s going to take some creative thinking.