The January Centre Midfielder Market

[Messier1994]

So much discussion about midfielders take place in the transfer tweet threads, so I thought I create a specific thread for it.

From my POV it comes down to this:
*ETH has stated that they want more players in January, if they can find the right players
*Donny is out for the season, we need depth at CM
*Like we saw in the Gakpo sweepstake, ETH’s transfer-budget is more or less non-existent
*The Telegraph is reporting that Newcastle wants McTominay, and that Scott wants out due to lack of playing time (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...ws-conor-gallagher-ruben-loftus-cheek-ziyech/)

This could perhaps get us what, 25-30m in additional funds?

So what centre midfielders are out there that we (a) either can get on loan or (b) could afford to buy it McTominay is sold to Newcastle?

 

[Krky72]

Rabiot is out of contract in the summer and I think he would compliment Casemiro nicely as a rotational option alongside Eriksen/Fred.

 

[Messier1994]

This is a guy I really like the looks of, Joey Veerman. He has stood out with his passing range when I’ve watched Gakpo with PSV this season. Seems like he could be a great understudy to Casemiro as well as providing some depth at the No 8 position. He would probably be hard to get on a loan with PSV still competing on all fronts, but I recon they would have a hard time letting him go to us if we could offer 20-25m for him.

I also like the idea of getting a cheaper, low key, backup for Casemiro. Casemiro will play a lot of games for us and there won’t be all that much left for the CDM backup we get. The big investment should be saved for finding someone who can play in Eriksen’s role long term.

 

[redcucumber]

Haven't we been linked with Kenneth Taylor from Ajax? Is he as boring as his name suggests?

 

[Mwooyo]

So much discussion about midfielders take place in the transfer tweet threads, so I thought I create a specific thread for it.

From my POV it comes down to this:
*ETH has stated that they want more players in January, if they can find the right players
*Donny is out for the season, we need depth at CM
*Like we saw in the Gakpo sweepstake, ETH’s transfer-budget is more or less non-existent
*The Telegraph is reporting that Newcastle wants McTominay, and that Scott wants out due to lack of playing time (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...ws-conor-gallagher-ruben-loftus-cheek-ziyech/)

This could perhaps get us what, 25-30m in additional funds?

So what centre midfielders are out there that we (a) either can get on loan or (b) could afford to buy it McTominay is sold to Newcastle?

Actually I really believe we can revamp our whole midfield for peanuts in January or for free in the summer. Ruben Neves, Tielemanns, Housasem Auoar are free in the summer and cheap in January. We can do so much just by looking in the free market if we move aggressively. Yan sommer is a good GK option also available for free in the summer. We only really need to spend big on a striker but all the other problem options in our squad can be filled by either signing players on a free or just recalling our loanees

 

[Mainoldo]

How much is the Real Sociedad CM release clause?

£51.4m

 

[UpWithRivers]

Contracts expiring so cheap -
Tielemans
Thomas Lemar
Konrad Laimer - Bayern bound but not signed yet?
Rabiot
Aouar
Mahmoud Dahoud -

All good players but issues with each of them. Id take Rabiot and Aouar but ones a cnt and the other doesnt run much.

 

[Messier1994]

Another quality CM that could be had is Pablo Sarabia, supposedly available for 4.5m. Would be a good Bruno option.
https://theathletic.com/4097441/2023/01/16/wolves-agree-pablo-sarabia-deal/?amp=1

 

[Okey]

Rabiot is out of contract in the summer and I think he would compliment Casemiro nicely as a rotational option alongside Eriksen/Fred.

I thought about this a lot today. Not sure how much damage the earlier failed pursuit did. After the next couple of games, we might find ourselves in a very good position (50-50, yes). We might regret not getting a midfielder this month if we're suddenly in a title push and get hampered by a thin squad in the end.

 

[Okey]

Another quality CM that could be had is Pablo Sarabia, supposedly available for 4.5m. Would be a good Bruno option.
https://theathletic.com/4097441/2023/01/16/wolves-agree-pablo-sarabia-deal/?amp=1

Deal agreed with Wolves today

 

[Krky72]

I thought about this a lot today. Not sure how much damage the earlier failed pursuit did. After the next couple of games, we might find ourselves in a very good position (50-50, yes). We might regret not getting a midfielder this month if we're suddenly in a title push and get hampered by a thin squad in the end.

I think it was a deal, like Arnautovic, that people weren’t keen on at the time. However, now I think both players would have actually made sense. Weghorst is a similar player in attack and Rabiot fits the mould ETH is looking for in midfield. I was impressed by him at the World Cup and he’s been key in Juve’s fortunes turning for the better.

 

[croadyman]

I think it was a deal, like Arnautovic, that people weren’t keen on at the time. However, now I think both players would have actually made sense. Weghorst is a similar player in attack and Rabiot fits the mould ETH is looking for in midfield. I was impressed by him at the World Cup and he’s been key in Juve’s fortunes turning for the better.

Yeah I would take him and definitely need a deputy for Casemiro at CDM,however think it's unlikely we get one this window

 

[Messier1994]

Rabiot has been really good this season, good work by ETH seeing something in him. But at this point in his career, he is definitely a CDM and not a No 8, right? Preferably we get a CM that can play both at CDM and No. 8.

 

[croadyman]

Rabiot has been really good this season, good work by ETH seeing something in him. But at this point in his career, he is definitely a CDM and not a No 8, right? Preferably we get a CM that can play both at CDM and No. 8.

He could provide some cheap cover for Casa allowing us to focus on getting that proper number 8

 

[Devil81]

I liked Thomas Lemar at Monaco, he lost his way at Atletico but that could be the Simeone system that's done him.

On a free transfer he could be a useful squad addition.

 

[golden_blunder]

Where’s @LuckyScout78 when you need him?

 

[Red in STL]

Yeah I would take him and definitely need a deputy for Casemiro at CDM,however think it's unlikely we get one this window

Why would Rabiot come to OT to be a deputy to Casemiro?

 

[Teja]

Yeah I would take him and definitely need a deputy for Casemiro at CDM,however think it's unlikely we get one this window

I think they'd complement each other. He'd replace Eriksen in the team, but we have McFred there already so I don't think depth there is the highest priority.

I only want a clear improvement like FdJ or someone with huge potential like Enzo there.

 

[NoPace]

Some passable names I could see us going for on the cheap if Mctominay left, basing it on Transfermarkt and Whoscored. Mostly Dutch and Eredivisie players since Ten Hag doesn't trust our scouts. I'm not basing this on seeing them play, but they're all at least 6 foot and seem to be doing well at teams who might take a quick buck.

Musrati - Braga
Zerrouki - Twente
Van Den Boomen - Toulouse

Probably a guy in Ligue 2 or the bottom of Ligue 1, there always is. Same for the top teams in the Scandinavian leagues.

It's a position older players can still excel in as well, if you can find a random Witsel or Capoue they could do the job for 4 months.

 

[SAFMUTD]

Haven't we been linked with Kenneth Taylor from Ajax? Is he as boring as his name suggests?

The most absolute Fifa regen name ever, considering he's dutch.

 

[bosnian_red]

Nothing will happen this month. In the summer, not sure we will spend all that much as I think we will go big on Kane and the rest won't be too big unless we get a takeover. I think it'd be good to look at the bottom 5 clubs though. Someone like Lavia to replace McTominay and learn from Casemiro as the DM. Fred might be extending his contract in which case I'm not sure too much will change overall outside of McTominay being replaced if it's true he wants regular football. Guys like Enzo or Frenkie obviously the dream partners to Casemiro, but outside of them two, not sure how big we go.

 

[jeepers]

Rabiot and his mother will demand too much money.

City has a buyback clause for Lavia.

 

[Xeque_279]

Rabiot has been really good this season, good work by ETH seeing something in him. But at this point in his career, he is definitely a CDM and not a No 8, right? Preferably we get a CM that can play both at CDM and No. 8.

Quite the opposite actually, he's been playing more as an 8 than a 6. Can't do the Casemiro role.

Wish we could've gotten Palhinha, would've been perfect.

 

[Messier1994]

Paredes should be a good option, right? With the Juventus point deduction they should be looking to cut cost.

 

[croadyman]

Paredes should be a good option, right? With the Juventus point deduction they should be looking to cut cost.

Feels like it will be another City scenario where they appeal it and win so players won't want to leave them then

 

[Messier1994]

Feels like it will be another City scenario where they appeal it and win so players won't want to leave them then

Good point. But I wouldn't be surprised if Juventus sold a CM. They still need to cut costs, the point deduction was a result of false accounting when they moved a cost from one year to the other, but their aggregate result is still a big problem for them.

 

[croadyman]

Good point. But I wouldn't be surprised if Juventus sold a CM. They still need to cut costs, the point deduction was a result of false accounting when they moved a cost from one year to the other, but their aggregate result is still a big problem for them.

Would genuinely take Rabiot/Chiesa but no chance either are going to leave

 

[Ajr]

Is there no one to bring in for the rest of this season as cover for Casemiro? I'd rather mctominay be back up to bloody martial than him, we lost control of every game he has ever played

 

[DutchSerb]

This is a guy I really like the looks of, Joey Veerman. He has stood out with his passing range when I’ve watched Gakpo with PSV this season. Seems like he could be a great understudy to Casemiro as well as providing some depth at the No 8 position. He would probably be hard to get on a loan with PSV still competing on all fronts, but I recon they would have a hard time letting him go to us if we could offer 20-25m for him.

I also like the idea of getting a cheaper, low key, backup for Casemiro. Casemiro will play a lot of games for us and there won’t be all that much left for the CDM backup we get. The big investment should be saved for finding someone who can play in Eriksen’s role long term.

Please no. Nowhere near the level of player we should pursue, also showing disrespect towards his own manager for being subbed, seen that one before this season.. he's also benched now for the second game in a row.

I agree with you on getting a cheaper backup for Casemiro, wish the scouting department would work some magic in Argentina and Brazil like Benfica/Real/City/Ajax do. Would save us massive amounts of money.

 

[Messier1994]

Please no. Nowhere near the level of player we should pursue, also showing disrespect towards his own manager for being subbed, seen that one before this season.. he's also benched now for the second game in a row.

I agree with you on getting a cheaper backup for Casemiro, wish the scouting department would work some magic in Argentina and Brazil like Benfica/Real/City/Ajax do. Would save us massive amounts of money.

I take your word for it, I have just seemed him briefly when I have watched Gakpo and on highlights.

 

[eire-red]

Nothing will happen this month. In the summer, not sure we will spend all that much as I think we will go big on Kane and the rest won't be too big unless we get a takeover. I think it'd be good to look at the bottom 5 clubs though. Someone like Lavia to replace McTominay and learn from Casemiro as the DM. Fred might be extending his contract in which case I'm not sure too much will change overall outside of McTominay being replaced if it's true he wants regular football. Guys like Enzo or Frenkie obviously the dream partners to Casemiro, but outside of them two, not sure how big we go.

If Everton went down, Onana could be interesting as a replacement for McTominay. Ideally Caicedo would be the replacement, but he would cost too much for a squad option and Chelsea seem to be all over that.

I agree that a CF is our focus this summer, and we're likely going to go big as you say. Depending on how much we spend, we still need to add a top CM, ideally either Enzo/FDJ. We definitely need both a CF and CM in the summer for the first 11.

Then there's a decent chunk of cash we could raise in the summer, with sales of Maguire, McTominay, Elanga, Williams and Telles on loan still only. Martial could be on that list too if the Weghorst loan works out well and we get a main CF. Surely that's about 60-80m?

Sign a top CF and a CM to partner Casemiro, and I think with a further clear out of the deadwood listed above can be replaced by one or two relatively less experienced players. Levi Colwell looks a real good player, but unfortunately I just realised he's on loan from Chelsea. But that type of profile is what we should be looking at, the Bella-Kotchap, Lavia's of the league that you mentioned.

I'd say it's highly unlikely we sign anyone else in January.

 

[Silas]

What happened to Aouar? Is he still highly rated?

 

[Murder on Zidane's Floor]

Parades?

 

[Lee565]

Can we not do a chelsea and sign caicedo this jan on 8.5 year contract

 

[Lash]

What happened to Aouar? Is he still highly rated?

Betis are looking to get him in on a free, but Milan are interested too.

I'm surprised others aren't interested, but maybe he's made it clear to one of those teams, that's the league he wants to go to.

 

[userman]

Not one for January, but what about Mac Allister at Brighton?
To me he seems like a very interesting player with good/great passing, shot, technique, work rate and also PL-proven (also has a bit of that Argentinian grit about him). Been a lot of talks about his teammate Caicedo but isn’t Mac Allister a better fit alongside Casemiro..?

 

[BlueHaze]

Not one for January, but what about Mac Allister at Brighton?
To me he seems like a very interesting player with good/great passing, shot, technique, work rate and also PL-proven (also has a bit of that Argentinian grit about him). Been a lot of talks about his teammate Caicedo but isn’t Mac Allister a better fit alongside Casemiro..?

They gonna demand absurd sums for both him and caicedo. Man united need to stop this idiotic transfer policy and start making smarter deals. This ridiculous transfer strstegy we've had since sir alex left has left us with nothing but misery and a pile of extra debt!!!

 

[Gerald G]

I would desperately be looking to bring someone on loan. With VdB injured, we need another body in midfield and that was glaringly obvious today. I don't even mind too much who it is but surely there's a decent midfielder out there that can be taken on loan?

 

[Rozay]

Haven't we been linked with Kenneth Taylor from Ajax? Is he as boring as his name suggests?

He’s bang average and would be the next Eredivise con job if we bought him.

 

[NoPace]

I would desperately be looking to bring someone on loan. With VdB injured, we need another body in midfield and that was glaringly obvious today. I don't even mind too much who it is but surely there's a decent midfielder out there that can be taken on loan?

I can't think of a DM available for loan, really. Maybe we could do a loan with option to buy from a promising DM from a 3rd tier league, but other than that I'd say the best answer is probably just to sell McTominay to the highest bidder and use the 20M or whatever on a solid DM from a mid-table side on the continent who need the money and feel safe from relegation or unlikely to make Europe.