We're not doing a lot unless ENIC put some of their own money in, which is most unlikely. I think we'll sell Romero, Richarlison, and Solomon. Buy Tel, Cardoso, Danso and I think Vuskovic is already paid for.
So we still won't have another Maddison like player unless we can loan someone in using the saving from Werner's wage.
We've spent circa £150m gross in each of last last few years (mainly from cash generated from operations) even when we haven't had much in from transfers (Kane being the exception last year when including January window we spent a bit more that £150m between the two transfer windows.
So if we follow the same pattern, we'll probably spend £150m again, probably part funded by sales of Solomon (say 20m) and Gil (15m ?).
After that its a case of any big sales will be replaced by other players, mainly funded by the sale (eg. sale of Bissouma funds Cardoso) but maybe also part funded from the £150m (eg sale of Richarlison say 40m but we might need to spend 60m gross on another forward).
If we win EL I think it'll be easier to recruit (= better players available for us), but even if we do not I think we'll still bring in a perhaps 5 players (assuming Romero, Richarlison and Bissouma move on) - but doubt we'll buy Tel unless Bayern want to more than halve their price, if he stays next season its more likely a loan.
I think we'll also include a couple of youngsters such as Davine and Donley as squad players (both List B so don't take up a squad place).
So I'm expecting to see something like :
- Cardoso in if Bissouma leaves
- Good CB in if Romero moves on (might cost more than we receive for Romero)
- Good forward in if Richarlison leaves (will cost more than we get for Richarlison)
- Good wide forward brought in (probably replacing Tel and Werner in the squad)
- Good versatile defender brought in to help cover LB.
- A couple of youngsters such as Donley and Devine staying with squad (in addition to Moore and Scarlett). Might be more if we are in CL to increase squad size by 2 or 3 players.
- Danso is here on a loan with obligation, so we'll convert him to permanent (not counted in my 5 new players).
So I'm expecting a window where we end with a stronger squad than we have now - will probably slightly larger and better quality if we are in CL next season. It won't solve every problem that some fans have with current squad - no squad is perfect to all fans !
Obviously other transfers might be needed if for example we lose Porro to Madrid etc