What a difference a poor season can make huh?
People speak like our allure is long gone as a club and will need a long time to build it back up to the point that top class players want to come here. I disagree. We just need a good season to become an attractive proposition to players again.
Last season we got Sancho, Varane, and Cristiano Ronaldo through the doors. Why? We were in the Champion's League - simple as.
We're scraping the barrell a bit this summer, and we have to, but desperately need some semi decent short term signings (loans are honestly not a bad idea) to help us challenge for that top 4 spot, because as we've found, it definitely does make all the difference in the market.
One good season (i.e. get into the CL places), and we're in the big leagues again as a top draw for class players.