I agree that this is probably our most important transfer window. And I think we are all in agreement that we're targeting/getting Sancho, a quick CB to partner Maguire, and a CM/AM. In addition, pretty sure we'll get rid of the deadweights as well.
Sorry for being Mr. Obvious... But you know what is important this window? It is important that we absolutely nail our transfers - something we have been lacking post-SAF. We need to have our best window in terms of getting the right player for us. Hurts me to say this, but I'd like to draw an example from Liverpool in this regard. This is an area where they have particularly excelled past 3-4 seasons - they have been extremely smart in their scouting and player assessment before buying them.
Look at how they gradually built this team over the past 4 seasons, and kept improving with each phase. Almost all the transfers can be considered as a success.
Phase 1 - 2016/17: Mane, Wijnaldum
End of season: 4th in PL.
Phase 2 - 2017/18: VVD, Salah, Oxlade, Robertson
End of Season: UCL Finalist. 4th in PL again, but solidified that position.
Phase 3 - 2018/19: Allison, Keita, Fabinho, Shaqiri
End of Season: UCL Winners. 2nd in PL, 1pt behind City.
We have to improve bit by bit, exactly like Liverpool. Look at which positions they targeted in phase 2 (CB, RW, CM, RB) and look at which positions we are targeting now (RW, CB, and CM). 7 of these 10 players are first team regulars and form the core of their EPL and UCL winning team.
Obviously, we have gotten a few players right in the last window i.e. Bruno, AWB, Maguire. And safe to say after last night, we have entered phase 2 which is why this window quite critical for our rebuild. We need this window (and January) to get all the necessary jigsaw pieces together and build a team which will challenge for 2nd. It is not practical to expect that we will definitely be challenging for the title next season. If we do, then great... but solidifying a top 3 should be a priority, not the title.
We cannot afford to have flops anymore. We need our transfers to settle in quickly and deliver. Once they do that over the next season and we improve our consistency, only then can we look back at the team and again realise what the final pieces are.
Since we have finally taken a step in the right direction, we have to keep building on it. We need to get the players who will get us from phase 2 to phase 3, where we can challenge for title in 2021/22. We are currently 5-6 players short of that (incl. first team and back up). Target 3 this summer, and maybe 3 more next season if the development (and results) goes according to plan.
That should be the way to go.