The transfer market.

[JPK]

I have never seen it as open as this Summer. So many top players are willing to move and alot of young stars of the future are ready to join the big sides.

My point is that Rafa should think long and hard before he settles for just any player. Degen is supposedly a done deal so we are sorted at right back.

Canizares is 38 and on the move a could be worth a punt as Pepe's back up and Itanje's replacement.

We will have to replace Hyppia sometime and there are lots of top class centre backs out there.Amorebieta from Bilbao, Albiol from Valencia,Luisao from Benfica,Pablo from Athletico,Barzagli from Palermo are all options for the future with Carra also getting on.

Rafa seems to want to sign a left back. He rates Heinze(I would not touch the filthy *******),Vargas from Catania even though Madrid are linked strongly,Dossena from Udinese,Maxwell at Inter is paid very low and seems unhappy and is another good player,Abidal is available,Behrami from Lazio,Salcido at PSV is an option too and Chiellini and I'm sure i'm missing a good few too from other clubs.

Barry seems to be our central midfield choice and that is fine as he is a good hardworking player and is versatile. If we dont get him the Johnson from City,Affelay from PSV will be a star player yet and De La Red and Granero would be good options.

There are so many top attackers out there so I think this is the position we have to be careful and get the right players.

Bentley is a serious option and has been linked for ages. Riera is another and has Premiership experience and is highly rated in Spain. Valencia is exactly not what we want. Silva is another player we should be in for and likewise Jaoquin. Queresma(maybe joining Real) and Lucho will flourish at bigger clubs IMO. Moutinho from Sporting is a star of the future. Robinho's future at Real is unclear and although he has a rep off the field, he has the talent and maybe Rafa could get the best out of him. Nasri is going to leave Marseille,Menez will leave Monaco,Farfan will leave PSV and we were linked with Luis Suarez from Ajax. The options are endless this year. There are loads more of this type player but I hope we dont go for somebody average like Valencia or Downing. We are growing nicely as a team and we need to add quality and somebody who can change a game with a bit of magic consistently.

As for strikers, Eto'o is available,Huntelaar is too,Benzema is an option as is Villa. Lisandro Lopez is going to be top class IMO and Santa Cruz could be tempted to move. Just naming a few again but these are the types we should be in for.

It's time to make a statement in the transfer market. I know there is uncertainty over the owners and what funds we have exactly, but with money coming in for sales and talk of Rafa having 50m, then I seriously hope some of the above players are on our radar.

We have a great core and just need to add 4or5 top quality players, to really get us ticking and take us to the top.

What do ye think?

[MrMichael]

I agree about adding the 4 or 5 quality players, but we do have to maybe accept that they won't all be £20m superstar signings (not saying you're inferring they will be by the way). The one position I too think we really need to pull a player of the Torres/Mascherano calibre is in the attacking midfield area. From the little I've seen of him, Menez would be the ideal signing of the players you mention, followed by Silva, although Nasri or even Bentley wouldn't disappoint me. (I think Bentley's underrated by some on here). Robinho is pushing it a little imo,, though I guess you never know. He's be very pricey I'd imagine.

Strikers is a slightly different issue, unless we are planning on reverting to 4-4-2, which I find unlikely, especially as we seem to be trying to buy another CM, (and would prefer us not to as I don't think Benitez really sets up a 4-4-2 that well) I'm not sure we'll be looking at a massive signing there. Although Voronin and Crouch look to be off, Nemeth and Babel might see some time up front next season: I think we might well see someone brought in who would be content to fight to establish themselves and would offer something different to the others... someone like Jones from Sunderland (though not necessarily him). I have to say that I think that the ilk of Benzema or Huntelaar might be stretching the hopes a little far if we are also to add real magic in midfield.

Centre Back I disagree again, Skrtel, Carra and a fit Agger will do me and I'd keep Sami as 4th choice (all things considered, what a season he's had again, legend and a fantastic pro still capable at this level, if preferably playing much less often). With uncertain finances I think we're adequately covered there now, and we do have a couple of decent youngsters that could get a game or two as well.

If we need another midfielder, I'd prefer Johnson to Barry, both good players but Johnson has youth on his side and would be more content easing in over a season or two. Unless Xabi is off, in which circumstance a better case for the more expensive Barry could be made.

Which leaves full backs (not concerned about backup keeper, its not like we haven't enough on the books anyway). For me this one is almost as crucial as the attacking midfielder, to execute this 4-2-3-1 properly we really need fullbacks who are confident and classy going forward, but also know how to defend. Easier said than got perhaps.

[Darth Marty]

Jesus Mr.M - DONT YOU EVER SLEEP?!

In my opinion we have a simple job this summer, strengthen the flanks! full backs and wide midfield. Do that and ill be happy, depending on the Managers tactics next year we may need another striker too. I reckon we should be able to manage this fairly easily given the money we will gain from sales and what ever we get from the top brass.

[MrMichael]

Jesus Mr.M - DONT YOU EVER SLEEP?!

Hahahahaha. Just finished a night shift. I pwnd my sleep pattern long ago.

[tommyg]

Out of your post there is one name i think we need to be in 110% for and that is Lisandro Lopez. he is going to be great and i think we need to get in early and hope to attract him for the right reasons, as opposed to clubs like chelsea who would just throw the bank at him.

[Nic83]

Yeah and I bet we get sweet FA of the top players!

[Harv]

Yeah and I bet we get sweet FA of the top players!