We're obviously not broke, but we can't compete financially with state funded clubs over the long term, it's simply not sustainable. They have an almost unlimited supply of funds, whereas most, if not all the money we spend comes from the club's revenue.
It's nothing to do with thinking the club is broke, it's that it's run like a business, I don't think we'll ever see a summer like PSG just had or Madrid had in 2009 where we pay 2 enormous world record level fees in one summer.
Yea but it's not impossible to expect 300M to be spent one of the summers, or near it. 2X 100M ish and A 50-70M ish. Unlikely but not impossible. If it were to be the 250-300M its probably going to be on 5 players. 1 medium or big value signing (as you suggest) and the rest more affordable the likes of Maguire or other prospects of quality for around 30-50 depending on the duration of contract remaining. Who could turn out to be quality buys, to be fair. So it's not as bad as it sounds. As long as we have the homework done and are sure we are buying quality.
The real issue is more obvious than it initially appears. There is feck all available. If AG, as expected goes to Barca, is there anybody else, really? Kane? Alli? Dybala? Lemar? Moura? Ozil? Fabinho? Kroos? Ronaldo? Bale? Milinkovic? Perisic? Mahrez? Umtiti? Asensio? Belotti? Sessegnon? Sandro? Tierney? Dendoncker? Willian? But are any, would be real stars available or interested in us. The others might be just those who need us more than we need them
The way I see it, the player pool is spread too thin in England. You have 6 very strong sides and for me, that's just 2 sides too many. So while Wenger keeps fecking up and Poch seems to not be working his magic this season as good as the last 3 so... As Mr Kane says, win things or I may be off. AT THE MOMENT these are the 2 sides who are poised to miss out on champions league and there is no doubting that if they slip now. It could be a while before they could bounce back.
Sanchez and Ozil's quality will not be easy replaced with. And well, with much bigger wages and champions league on offer elsewhere and Walkers success at city obvious to his old club mates. I think they will be tempted and it's going to be a tough summer for Spurs. Not only to hold on to their squad but also to attract top players themselves.
What I am thinking, will not be linked on there but I think could get us over the line to better things. It would clear up the picture of what's exactly needed and it's a little field but most importantly would not cost us the earth. So while it's a risk we would be taking. It would be one with little or no outlay. I would sell Darmian Fellaini and Mkhitaryan this window, Raising 40-50M. I would buy 3 or 4 players. As much a signal of intent as it is plugging up the gaps and clearing up an issue or 2. I'd buy
Ozil, 29yo, 10M
Dendoncker, 22yo, 20-24M
Mahrez, 26yo, 30-40M Cl avail
Mora, 29yo, 20M.
I wouldn't normally have Mahrez anywhere near us but last 6 weeks he has been playing well, has his head down again and is back playing well. Plus, is champions league available. We have Mata and I think Mahrez is a faster quicker thinking maybe not as skilful but he can also play a killer pass. Ozil in case Mahrez is a flop and Mora for genuine width, To play alongside and hopefully replace Matic one day. It's a net outlay of 40M. But the real idea here is to be ruthless and if things are not going the way we want to, shift on and replace with like. If any don't work out in a playing style that fits us, get rid fast.
I would then move heaven and earth to ensure Fabinho and whoever this top target Jose mentioned are confirmed before the end of March and signed up to arrive in the summer. Then shift on more deadwood. If any are the new signings should recoup and exceed the price just paid.
