07 May 2017 22:51:49
Any great team needs a strong spine. Goalkeeper, centre half, strong number 10 and a striker. This is what we need to target, not 9 or 10. But 4 maybe 5 if you want to replace both centre halves. Get this and you have the base to build around it. We have Baines, Coleman (when recovered) . Gana, Scneiderlin and Davies in midfield. Think Lookman will feature more next season so there's six. Bring in a new spine and we have the makings of a very strong team.

1.) 07 May 2017
07 May 2017 23:04:40
More or less what I said in a post on the banter page Woburnblue. Strengthen those 4 positions and we will be a force to be reckoned with.

2.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 01:30:00
Be nice to see any of Keane, Van Dyke, Koulibaly, Sigurdson, Willan Jose, Butland, Pickford, Trippier and Ghezzal at the club. Not all together, but a couple from that list.

3.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 07:50:14
If Lukaku and Barkley go, we will need the number 10 and number 9 positions filling. Whilst I agree totally about the spine bit and all the points you make, I would add that if those 2 leave, we will lose our top 2 goalscorers. We will also be losing the 2 players with most assists. So we really need to find out asap what Barkley's plan actually is. We also need to make a decision on Lukaku and let him know that under no circumstances is he leaving the club until a replacement is sorted. Same goes for Barkley if he is not signing a new deal. Then we need to get the replacement in ASAP! All the good work done this season needs to be a foundation for next. My fear is the club may suffer unless plans are in place over the next few weeks. Of course as much as Lukaku wants to leave, he still has 2 years contract and most clubs will only sell a player on with 12 months left. It sometimes causes problems keeping an unhappy player (Berahino for example) but I would guess Barkley will be sold quickly because he only has 1 year left. if he does not sign in the next few weeks. Lukaku may prove to be a more drawn out saga. That's my feelings anyway.

4.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 08:20:36
Lukaku= willian jose, dolberg, possibly that Villarreal striker.

Barkley=gylfi, klassen

Then a gk=pickford or any of the 100 others linked

2 cb=keane, van dijk

Cm=tielemans

Winger= grey or ghezzel.

5.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 09:02:34
Berkshireblue2, if we were to buy the cheapest options from your list, circa Â£25 million each that would be Â£150 million. Add to that you want VVD also so that's Â£200 million. Naturally it would mean replacing Lukaku and Ross who would get us Â£100 million at least. So realistically we would still have to spen Â£100 million. I can't see that happening despite our new spending power. I have to say though, your list is very exciting and what a summer that would be.

6.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 11:58:23
Dont forget we already have a small squad compared to others around the top 7 (forget 6 now) . We will also likely lose McCarthy, McGeady, Kone and Valencia plus obviously Lennon for some time. wouldn't be surprised to see Jags move on, Mirallas and maybe even Barry.

So an already small squad needs 8 replacements just to stand still. Add to that losing Rom and Barkley and at least one of our keepers and its 11 to stand still with squad size.

For me, Butland, Keane, VVD, Tielamns, Gylfi, Klaasen, and 3 strikers - don't know enough about them to say who. Would also love Redmond to give us some width / pace and a couple more youngsters.

I think the cash is there - we had some spare last year - its just how much we can spend with FFP. Exciting and interesting times regardless.