Alonso

Depends on isak’s price. If there is a £40m difference that’s still kerkez fee paid for and it could be a bigger difference. Depends how far our money will stretch and how many players we want. Don’t get me wrong I’d prefer Isak but it’s whether we can afford him in context with the bigger picture

Agreed on the first bit but if we only have a finite pot of money (which we do) and we want a large squad rebuild this summer then if ekitike is half the cost of Isak then it makes financial sense to spread the money about for more players. As someone mentioned earlier it’s either one player in like Bellingham or szobozlai, Mac and Grav. If we can get ekitike plus one or two others of quality for the same price as say Isak then that may be the stance taken given the potential numbers we may need.

I think he’s a more realistic signing rather than Isak given his profile and likely cost both in fee and wages.

And is the reason kerkez wants to join

If Trent does go maybe one of the full backs will be less swashbuckling than the other. Kerkez likes to bomb on from what I can gather so maybe a more conservative right back would be needed. If hato comes in and can play a more reserved style at left back allows for a more attack minded right back (frimpong!)

Think the other option for left back is Jorrel Hato at Ajax. Can play CB too

They may well have done but I think there would be many more important factors, certainly from my point of view, for me joining a club than someone who arranged a deal through my agent so just seems strange that that would be highlighted unless it’s some PR piece for Hughes. The city, the coaching team, the squad, the ability to challenge for titles, the facilities etc would be far more important to me than the guy who sorted out the contract.

I find this bit absolutely bizarre unless it is Hughes who’s actually doing all the coaching… Kerkez is understood to favour a move to Liverpool over the other options. A link-up with Liverpool director of football Richard Hughes, the man who brought Kerkez to ­England during his time on the south coast, is one of the reasons the 21-year-old sees himself at Anfield.

Think someone mentioned this lad (Givairo Read) earlier in the thread for an option at right back. Says we’re interested and are a potential destination for him. https://x.com/LFCTransferRoom/status/1902391282535748001?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet

Probably need both types of midfielder, seeing as we only have 4 that slot seems to trust.

I think the last 18 months or so he’s found some stability in Germany and starting to put up some good numbers and realise his potential. Good dribbler, works hard and still young (will be 22 in April). Plus he’s got that Dutch connection

I’d like Simons from leipzig, can also play wide too.

The links to atrikers have been Alvarez and Isak but have also seen links to Hugo ekitike at Frankfurt. Seems to both be a creator and scorer with good ball carrying/dribbling metrics.

Agents Ryan and Virgil, your mission should you wish to accept it… https://x.com/LFCTransferRoom/status/1901937540342382904?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet Edit: for those who don’t have access Ryan and virg seem very happy to see frimpong and give a warm embrace!

So if we lose virg, salah and Trent I really can’t see Konate, who’s only got a year left, wanting to sign an extension let alone us being able to sort one out. He could also go on a free and likely to PSG too given previous links there.

Conspiracy theory alert…Almost feels like FSG appointed slot thinking he wouldn’t pull up any trees and then salah and virg (less so Trent as he probably wanted Madrid anyway) would then want to leave and so they wouldn’t have to make an effort or bother renewing them. Things have backfired and they are having stellar seasons, are close to winning the title and both have said how much they want to stay. Awkward now for FSG how they wriggle out of this one.

I think Xavi Simons would be a good option for us in the 10 role and can also play wider if needed.

There’s that word again! Good at this monitoring lark aren’t we!!

Which is why we’ll continue to “monitor” and “admire” from a distance!

There’s been some talk that we’ve been “monitoring” and have “admiration” for Jamie bynoe gittens who’s getting rave reviews at dortmund.

I’ve seen that Bayern have withdrawn their contract offer for kimmich. Could he come in and act as cover at both right back and at defensive mid? He’d get plenty of games so cover maybe not the right word and would add some more experience.

I think Hugo Ekitike has also been scouted who has a similar profile to Isak but is 3 years younger. Newcastle almost got him before Isak. He’d also be cheaper too you’d have thought.

Will want to impress against his old team.

Whilst jones can cover off Mac/dom we could do with another in there given Elliot isn’t fancied. Then also think we’ll need cover for gravenberch.

Pick random seat numbers form the stands to make up the numbers