[Albion] 2024 Summer Transfer Window

[Jimmy Grimble]

What this thread shows is that if you get one or two transfer windows wrong, then it heaps a whole load of pressure on the next one.

 

[southstandandy]

New RB and that's it unless Gross moves on then we need a new CM.

 

[The Fits]

Hinsh when fit will play RB. Its not really RB is it.

Dewsbury Hall and potentially another right sided player.
I dont know if Osman plays right side tbh or if hes ready yet.

Genuinely dont think we need that much. Just the players to get fit.

I suspect our business will be determined by who leaves

A lot of people have said this about Hinsh.
Makes no sense to me. He's a central midfielder. Surely, in the long term, we want him to become a lynchpin in the centre of the pitch rather than effectively retraining him?!

 

[Mancgull]

I like Hinsh at Right back. He’s got great energy and adds more dynamism to the team.
I think we need a midfielder more than any other position. Dewsbury-Hall hopefully. I think Baleba can develop into a decent defensive midfielder.
If Webster departs we’ll need another centre back.

 

[dazzer6666]

What this thread shows is that if you get one or two transfer windows wrong, then it heaps a whole load of pressure on the next one.

Wasn’t entirely wrong though was it - unlike most clubs we’ve got the cash to invest in what’s needed from decisions in the last couple of windows too.

 

[pigmanovich]

My fencesitter's take on Hinshelwood is that rather than settle on whether he's primarily a CM or a RB, we could do what we do with Gross and frequently have him change positions mid match as substitutions are made.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

Wasn’t entirely wrong though was it - unlike most clubs we’ve got the cash to invest in what’s needed from decisions in the last couple of windows too.

True to an extent, though I guess you could argue if we used the cash to recruit in the areas many have mentioned on this thread last summer or in January, we wouldn’t be needing to do as much business this summer.

If - as some have predicted - some knockdown transfer fees are available, then it’ll look better.

 

[um bongo molongo]

I’m not sure I agree with those saying we don’t need much, as I think there’s a real risk we carry our second half of the season form in to next season if we don’t refresh. The squad was weaker than last season pre-injuries. I’d say in priority order:
- 1-2 midfielders (Dahoud out)
- right back (Lamptey out)
- right winger (Fati out)
- CB (Webster out)
4 or 5 signings, on a one in one out basis seems like the minimum we need to do to me.

 

[macbeth]

think we definitely need three players who can instantly come in and improve the team. that for me is an absolute minimum.

RB, CM/DM, RW. Looks like we’ll sign an AM to replace lallana too, this may be dewsbury-hall however i’d like us to really push the boat out for desiré doué at rennes. real difference-maker. for the RW i think iling-junior is the best option, even though he’s usually played on the left, he’s left footed, homegrown and quite cheap from the sounds of it.

have mentioned before that guido rodriguez of betis would be an excellent pickup on a free for DM, offers great experience, if leeds don’t go up maybe worth a cheeky offer for archie gray, if for nothing else just to see the meltdown, but that would be a very very difficult deal to do. at RB we need to replace lamptey. he’s a good player but just too unreliable fitness-wise unfortunately.

from there we just need to replace anyone else who leaves. think webster’s time has come, and actually wouldn’t be surprised to see veltman off either, RDZ has never seemed to like him that much. above all else, we just need to avoid going into next season with obvious gaps again like we’ve done this time

 

[Milano]

One thing I'm certain of now is that other teams are watching us. We need to be confident we can complete a deal before we show our hand. Kudus last summer had a sniff of guzzump about it and I'm worried that bidding (apparently) for KDH in Jan but then not getting it done means that ship has probably sailed now too

I agree a lot with what has been said in terms positions where we need to stengthen. My priority order would be:
RB - this has been a problem position for 2 seasons now IMO.
CM - I'm going to buck the trend - I'm not super happy with Gross at CM in a 2, in a 3 it's OK. KDH would be fantastic but sadly see above.
RW - we need to find the next Solly and it's not Adringa IMO
CB - if Webbo leaves

That's it. The important thing about the first 3 above is that they need to be EPL ready and attribute wise they would ideally all have above average pace.

 

[brighton_tom]

Hinsh when fit will play RB. Its not really RB is it.

Dewsbury Hall and potentially another right sided player.
I dont know if Osman plays right side tbh or if hes ready yet.

Genuinely dont think we need that much. Just the players to get fit.

I suspect our business will be determined by who leaves

With a fully fit squad, likely no European football next season, Osman already signed, and a few loans returning to the squad (Undav and Sarmiento), you could argue we're only short a right back and centre mid. But I could see RDZ insisting on a bit more than that if he stays.

 

[Reddleman]

Goalies are fine no need to do anything. Just keep playing Bart give it another 6 months and he will be great.
Defenders depends on Roberto staying or going and the replacement. I think Webster, Veltman could do fine with another manager but if we play like we do we need to replace them with quicker defenders. Important to hold on to Van Hecke he will probably attract more interest than any other of our players this summer but another year would be the best for everyone hope he keeps his head cold. Would miss Lamptey for reasons but only looking at football wouldnt cry if he and Igor left. They are ok but feel we can do better
Midfield sell Moder 50 games of nothing tell Milner its over but sign Lallana for another year of cameos. Sign two new midfielders to compete with Baleba, Hinshelwood, Gilmour for pivote roles and play Joao Pedro or Bonanotte or Julio Enciso as 10.
Wingers. Send Osman on loan Fati back to where he came from and sign left footed winger. Done.
Strikers. Final word on Undav might not be said hope we can add him. I dont rate Joao Pedro if we get good money I would be glad to see him go I think people are soon going to understand he is not a good goal scorer and tho can become great I dont think he should play as 9 at least. Undav, Ferguson, Welbeck would be great no need to do something

You don’t rate Pedro

I know forums are about opinions but that’s just patently ridiculous.

 

[Hugo Rune]

​

I’ve looked and can’t find a thread on this but please merge if I’ve missed it.

I know there’s 7 games to go, but let’s face it, we’re fighting for the mid table places now, and, with a while to go till our next game, I think it’s fair to start considering our summer transfer activity as something to keep us occupied. Below is what I’d like to see us do (not necessarily what I think we’ll do). I’ve grouped players in to the roles I think we need in the squad - this is not necessarily a formation, as our balance of midfield vs attackers changes depending on the oppo.

GK
I’d like to see Rushworth return to compete (not rotate) with Bart. Steele would make a good #3 - he’s a good ‘club man’ and I doubt he’s on a huge wage. McGill out on loan (or sold).
IN: Rushworth (return from loan)
OUT: McGill

RB
This feels like a priority. Controversially, I would move Lamptey on - he’s lost some of his explosive pace which was his main weapon and I don’t see where he fits: his defending isn’t good enough for RB, and his end product isn’t good enough to be a winger. Veltman doesn’t offer enough going forward to be more than a back up, and Hinsh’s long term role is as a midfielder so I’ve listed him there, though he can obviously act as back up.
IN: New first team RB
OUT: Lamptey

LB
An interesting one as lots of questions. I’m going to assume we can turn Estupinan off and on again to reboot him to the level he was before the injury. I’m also going to assume Barco is ready to be the back up (he’s listed as a defender on the official site, though I suspect he will end up LW). I refuse to consider Milner as a FB as he’s absolutely bobbins there. Igor is also a square peg there which massively reduces our attacking threat, so if either of those assumptions is wrong, we need to bring someone in.
NO ACTIVITY (unless we loan out Barco, or consider him a LW)

CB:
I think it’s time to move on Webster. I like Adam but RDZ clearly doesn’t, and as we know he needs a run of games which makes him a poor back up option. I’d like to see Igor drop down the pecking list a bit - he’s OK, but replacing Colwill with him was like replacing a Ferrari with a Vauxhall Astra - they both kind of do the same thing but one can do a lot more (and a lot more gracefully) than the other. We need to upgrade to get back to the level of last season.
OUT: Webster
IN: New CB

DM (Athletic/Dynamic Bissouma/caicedo type):
I’m splitting the midfield roles as RDZ has said himself we’ve lacked this dynamic - he used the word impact - player. Baleba is obviously the heir apparent, but I’d like to see us have someone else as well, he can’t do a 50 game season and when he’s not there, we lack presence. I’m considering Milner here as I think it’s his best position, but if it was me in charge, I’d be thanking him and sending him on (though I don’t think we’ll do that). The unknown here is Hinsh, as I haven’t seen him play this role but feel like he could do.
OUT: Milner
IN: New athletic Bissouma/Caicedo type

DM/CM (Ball playing MacAllister type):
WBG has done well in this role. Gross is better further forward imo, and can’t get about the pitch enough to be in this role - part of the reason we look so pedestrian at the moment. He also looks knackered. Dahoud was a disaster and a significant upgrade is needed. Moder may (or may not) be able to do this role at the level required, but I’m not sure his passing is good enough - jury is out on that.
OUT: Dahoud
IN: New CM (Dewsbury Hall?)

ACM:
Lallana should be moved upstairs. This is Gross’ best position but he isn’t getting any younger. Another one where I’d like to see us strengthen.
OUT: Lallana
IN: New ACM

LW:
Mitoma back, Adingra as back up (he’s much better on the left), and Osman, Sarmiento and Barco as well if not loaned out. This is well stocked if we don’t sell Mitoma.
NO ACTIVITY

RW:
Obviously the key here is to get March back fit. But I think this is where we could strengthen. We wanted Kudus and the other options are either better on the left (Adingra), or not as effective out wide (eg Buonanotte). Kudus would have been ideal as we could do with more pace and power.
IN: Kudus-type RW

DEEP LYING CENTRAL ATTACKER:
Assuming Enciso is back fit, I think we’re Ok with him and Buonanotte, plus others who can drop off (eg Pedro or Welbeck). There’s also the option of Sarmiento.
NO ACTIVITY

UP TOP ATTACKER:
A fit Pedro, a rejuvenated Ferguson and Welbeck, plus the option of bringing back Undav if his personal circumstances allow.
NO ACTIVITY

A lot of good ideas. I agree with most of them.

We need a massive overhaul as you point out. Not of our regulars though but rather those who are too injured to play for us on a regular basis.

GK:
McGill out, Rushworth in.
Steele is still needed in the ‘dressing room’ and is a good fit at No.3.

Fullbacks:
Lamptey out, LB & RB in.
Lamptey is a great player and human being but his fitness does not allow him to play enough games for us sadly. Estupinan needs competition, I think Barco will be used further up the pitch.
Realistic targets: Wesley (Flamengo) & Miranda (Betis)

Centre Back:
Webster out.
Again, Adam is a great guy and pretty good defender but the constant injuries are so frustrating. Added to that, he was better in Potter’s system. I think RDZ requires too much technical short passing which he is a little behind with compared to our other centre backs. But what we really need is top level pace to help thwart those breaks.
Realistic Target: Nagalo (Nordsjælland)

Centre Midfield:
Dahoud, Milner out.
Milner is too old and injured and has only played well a left wing. He’d be fine to keep as a coach though. RDZ has concluded his dealings with Dahoud so he is gone. We need another two in our most important role in DeZerbiball. Along with Dunk’s role, this position dictates everything we do on pitch. Let’s make sure that we’re super strong there and not relying on long term prospects such as Hinshelwood & Baleba to challenge Groß and Gilmour for a starting position.
Realistic Targets: KDH (Leicester in June) & Ross Barkley (Luton)

Wings:
Mitoma & Fati out.
The model needs a sacrifice this summer. He is at peak value for us in my opinion. Yes, I want him to stay but I’d prefer TB using transfer profits to buy players rather than his own pocket. Other club profits need to go into things likes fanzones and a new stadium for our women’s team.
We must get a left footed right winger and perhaps some experience on the right. Osman is good but will need to develop. Adringra has shown he must work on consistency. I think we’ll see Barco at left wing quite a lot next season too.
Realistic Targets: McAtee (City) & Jota Silva (Vitória Guimarães SC)

Striker:
Out N/A
Just get Undav back please. He can do double figures starting most games on the bench.

 

[Hiheidi]

Fullbacks:
Lamptey out, LB & RB in.
Lamptey is a great player and human being but his fitness does not allow him to play enough games for us sadly. Estupinan needs competition, I think Barco will be used further up the pitch.
Realistic targets: Wesley (Flamengo) & Miranda (Betis)

Lamptey coming into the last year of his contract, so really likey he'll be off. Replacement-wise, Tiago Santos from Lille looks good.

 

[Gabbiano]

The concept of bringing Rushworth back to sit on the bench is madness. It'd be a complete waste of a season of his development when he could spend playing every week in the Championship.

Steele is fine as a back-up keeper.

There comes a point though where either we bring Rushworth into the first team fold or sell him, and I think after a successful season in the Championship we're at that point. Remember that Beadle is also waiting in the wings and a couple of years younger.

Is he ready to compete with Verbruggen or not? I'd give him the opportunity to prove himself tbh. If it doesn't work then he's still very sellable to a Championship team with ambitions

 

[Gabbiano]

If we reckon that Lamptey, Webster, Milner, Dahoud, Fati and Lallana are out the door then these are bodies in the squad that need replacing. Then there's the depth question for RW.

Osman in for Fati covers one of these. We also have thousands of attacking midfielders so perhaps don't need another although KDH strongly linked here.

That leaves an additional RB, CB and 2 CMs

 

[Milano]

Wings:
Out Mitoma
The model needs a sacrifice this summer. He is at peak value for us in my opinion. Yes, I want him to stay but I’d prefer TB using transfer profits to buy players rather than his own pocket. Other club profits needs to go into things likes fanzones and a new stadium for our women’s team.

Are you fishing? Sell Mitoma so we can build a stadium for the women's team. Seriously?

 

[chaileyjem]

Lamptey coming into the last year of his contract, so really likey he'll be off. Replacement-wise, Tiago Santos from Lille looks good.

Not sure i agree with this consensus that Tariq is "off" . RDZ rates Lamptey, he's flexible - his injuries / other options make it possible - but its certainly not "really likely"

 

[Gabbiano]

Are you fishing? Sell Mitoma so we can build a stadium for the women's team. Seriously?

Agree, makes no sense to sell Mitoma (or Estupinan for that matter, in a similar situation) after an injury riddled inconsistent season.

Sell when their value is highest. That isn't now

 

[Super Steve Earle]

Surely Osman and Mazilu are the two new wingers to supplement the existing squad? O'Mahony is in behind Welbeck and Ferguson. Rushworth, Sarmiento, Leonard, Undav have all had great seasons. What next for them? I think it's going to be a very nuanced summer window. Without knowing how ready the 10 injury hit players will be for next season. Fati and Dahoud will free up big wages plus Dahoud's fee £9m? If Undav does go, that's at least another £15m. I don't think us fans have much base information to work with and speculate.