The Rebuild

[Indiantoffee75]

He'll end up at a side that's playing in Europe is my guess.

[AjaxAndy]

Decent article on him here from earlier this year... Changes my mind slightly on him although I still wouldn't pay £40m for him, I just don't think we'll have that kind of cash for one player.

https://archive.is/2025.02.16-071451/ht ... d-chelsea/

[Bluedylan1]

Think he'd been a superb signing. Like others I imagine he'd have a choice of clubs, so it might be tough to get him.

Already has all the attributes needed to be our starting striker immediately and potential to improve a lot at 22.

40m is totally reasonable for his profile, age, position and potential.

Massive yes for me. Just think it would be tough to win the race for him.

[Audrey Horne]

Yeah 40 mill isnt that much (terrifyingly) in the game these days.

He will slot right in and is only 22.

Be huge to secure him, but think he may end up at a top 6 club.

[Goaljira]

He's going to go this summer, and it's a lot of money when we've got so much to do.

It's hard to know where to prioritise when we don't know what's happening with Branthwaite and how much we actually have available to spend. If we keep him and we've got £50m to spend then we make do with the strikers we've got next year and fill the other positions. If JB goes and we've then got £100-£120m to spend then we can look at bringing in a better forward.

[Bluedylan1]

We have to remember though that 40m for say a 5 year deal goes on the books as 8m (plus wages).

[AjaxAndy]

He's going to go this summer, and it's a lot of money when we've got so much to do.

It's hard to know where to prioritise when we don't know what's happening with Branthwaite and how much we actually have available to spend. If we keep him and we've got £50m to spend then we make do with the strikers we've got next year and fill the other positions. If JB goes and we've then got £100-£120m to spend then we can look at bringing in a better forward.

Yeah I doubt very much we can spend £40m on a striker and still strengthen all the other areas required too.

Branthwaite hasn't had a season that justifies an £80m+ transfer so I don't think we can rely on that to boost our transfer kitty.

I don't even think it matters if Delap is actually worth £40m or not as it's unlikely that we can afford that or more if there's a transfer war between several clubs.

[Indiantoffee75]

Maybe options similar to Jonathan Burkhardt from Mainz or Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg are profiles which should look at that are attainable.

Cheaper than Delap

[Bluedylan1]

He has a 40m release clause when they get relegated so there's no bidding war.

Again, you very rarely pay the whole fee up front these days so you're not lashing 40ms here and there. You're paying installments for most players and adding 8m or 10m to the books.

[Shogun]

Just feel like people would have gone for Ferguson at £40m a couple of years ago as well and look how he's turned out thus far. We're not in a position as a club to spend £40m on players like Delap who haven't got the track record.

[Cozzie]

From the highlights he looks very two footed as well which always helps.

He'll have lots of suitors though as BD said so it will tough to land him.

[TheRam]

£40m for a 22 year old who I think would guarantee 12+ goals a season is more than fine with me.

Would rather that than take a punt on somebody abroad who’ll just be shite.

Have we ever bought a striker from abroad who was a success?

[Bluedylan1]

What's missing from his game?

Only going one way this lad. 12 goals in 30 for a relegated team, age 22. 40m will be seen as a snip in a year's time.

[Cozzie]

What's missing from his game?

Only going one way this lad. 12 goals in 30 for a relegated team, age 22. 40m will be seen as a snip in a year's time.

That was the clip I watched.

Thing that stood out is he's great with both feet.

Seems to have that confidence about himself at such a young age too that top players have.

[AjaxAndy]

He has a 40m release clause when they get relegated so there's no bidding war.

Again, you very rarely pay the whole fee up front these days so you're not lashing 40ms here and there. You're paying installments for most players and adding 8m or 10m to the books.

I read the £40m is actually just a buy back clause City have rather than a blanket release clause.

Maybe that article was wrong or he has both, but if not then a bidding war would likely push it beyond the £40m.