We’re very excited for this summer’s transfer activity because it will really show what our expensively assembled recruitment team can do. Last summer saw our business driven by the new owners, with some input from Thomas Tuchel.
By January most of the new scouting and transfer team were in place – but they had barely had time to get their bearings, and were working opportunistically to quickly improve the squad.
This summer’s moves will be a lot more considered, and that is especially true in midfield. One major gap still to be filled is a defensively minded midfielder to play alongside Enzo Fernandez, and it seems we are gradually closing in on a shortlist.
There are certain names we hear repeated a lot, giving us the feeling that we’re narrowing things down. Fabrizio Romano today mentions Declan Rice (who we have been linked to for years) Romeo Lavia (who we’ve been linked to all of this year) and Manu Kone, who is a relatively new name we’ve been hearing since January.
They represent three difference price levels, and we think all three will be approached at some point.
