Which midfielder will we sign January 2026?

IrishRedDevil

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Our midfield is going to get run through for the next 4 months, so let’s strap in and enjoy the rough ride.

Queue fighting midtable come January and needing an emergency midfielder to help ‘shore things up’. I hope not of course, but it’s hard to say otherwise with erratic Bruno, Casemiro on his last legs, want-away Mainoo not showing any fight, and Ugarte so far showing he is below the expected level.

Who will it be?
 
Desperate loan. Or hopefully an agreement with Baleba for summer transfer.
 
No idea but probably no one but just having a random guess to feel smart if it does happen.

Let's go with João Gomes
 
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I would hope that the entire footballing structure is keeping their eyes across the top European leagues to scope out options over the next 3 months to identify who to go after in January. I'd be happy with a Dorgu- or Heaven-type signing for the midefield in January if we're sitting in places 4th - 7th after Christmas. If we're in 9th - 13th place, then I hope we could strengthen with a more proven/experienced signing (like when we got Sabitzer on loan) to help us up into the European places.
 
Not sure about January, more realistic in the summer when we know where we're at. Also think Bruno and Casemiro will leave after the season/World Cup. Regardless of system, could see us heavily target Baleba and Wharton/Stiller. Not sure who I'd lean out of the 2. Stiller I think has higher potential as he's already showing a top level on the ball with how he dictates games, dominates possession and always seems to have the most touches & passes on the pitch by a distance, while also having passing range, eye for a creative pass and loads of progression. Wharton has the premier league proven and extra defensive bite and has shown the calm passing ability, but not the know how to dominate possession and get on the ball loads.

In a 4231, would love for us to build towards this to be the first 11 and squad behind:

Sesko
Semenyo Cunha Mbeumo
Stiller Baleba
Dorgu Yoro De Ligt Mazraoui
Lammens

Chido
Mount Zirkzee Amad
Mainoo Ugarte
Shaw/Amass Licha Heaven Dalot
Altay​
 
If we get the fees included in the obligation clauses etc, I think we'll have a solid 2026 summer window.

I think we'll stick with our interest and groundwork put in this summer for Baleba next summer, whilst adding another.

Fully expect Bruno to head to Saudi next summer, with Onana and Shaw also leaving, that'll free up plenty of funds.
 
In summer 2026 we'll have around 250m to spend, I assume we will get 2x midfielder and 1x wingback then
 
pascell said:
If we get the fees included in the obligation clauses etc, I think we'll have a solid 2026 summer window.

I think we'll stick with our interest and groundwork put in this summer for Baleba next summer, whilst adding another.

Fully expect Bruno to head to Saudi next summer, with Onana and Shaw also leaving, that'll free up plenty of funds.
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Wouldn't neglect the position just because they are determined to stick to their plan of summer rebuild
 
Nobody, we'll sack Amorim and hope a new coach can work miracles.
 
Our main issue with midfield these past few years has been the structure of the whole team rather than individual talent. In Ole’s last few days with us he decided to play one DM and two AM which lead to a massive hole in the middle (that got walked through) ETH’s formation was more a basketball formation than that of a football team. Casemiro was essentially left to do the job of three players. And now we have Amorim who is insisting on playing Bruno in a two and not having a good enough engine next to him.

I’m not being funny but a midfield set of Mainoo (next big thing for England) Multiple champions league winner Casemiro, Ugarte a highly touted DM that PSG saw potential in and Bruno/ Mount (an attacking option) should be better than most other premier league teams. Get the correct system, or play this current one better is probably more important than splashing 100 million at this stage on another one that will be lost in this current set up
 
DomesticTadpole said:
Is there any midfielder whose contract expires next summer we could get on a pre-contract in January?
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I would happily take James Garner from Everton next summer. Hes the perfect role player who wouldn't mind coming off the bench, contract expires next summer, still only 24 years old.

Id take Garner and Guehi on the free.
 
One of Case or Ugarte going and we try to get Wharton. If not, Boro have done very well to hold onto Hayden Hackney amid Premier League interest this window. If they're not challenging promotion, he could be a decent shout. It all depends on if Amorim turns things round though.
 
Rasmus_9 said:
Our main issue with midfield these past few years has been the structure of the whole team rather than individual talent. In Ole’s last few days with us he decided to play one DM and two AM which lead to a massive hole in the middle (that got walked through) ETH’s formation was more a basketball formation than that of a football team. Casemiro was essentially left to do the job of three players. And now we have Amorim who is insisting on playing Bruno in a two and not having a good enough engine next to him.

I’m not being funny but a midfield set of Mainoo (next big thing for England) Multiple champions league winner Casemiro, Ugarte a highly touted DM that PSG saw potential in and Bruno/ Mount (an attacking option) should be better than most other premier league teams. Get the correct system, or play this current one better is probably more important than splashing 100 million at this stage on another one that will be lost in this current set up
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I actually agree and also disagree with what you're saying here.

You're absolutely correct that when we played one sitting midfielder and two more attack minded ones, it left us exposed in transition in larger spaces. I completely agree with that.

But what I don't agree with is, that it was only down to the structure of the team rather than the individuals. The sitting midfielder along with the two CBs form your rest defense in a higher line where they have to be able to control the transition in larger spaces in man to man duels. Those players we have as a whole were just not capable of defending in a higher line. You need CBs and a deeper midfielder who will in tandem extinguish the threat of the opposition as far as the fast transition is concerned. Neither Maguire, Lindelof or the likes of Casemiro and Ugarte had the pace and physicality to be able to defend higher up the pitch against rapid transitions. Hence we kept losing control and had to fall back into a more defensive block and ended up ceding possession to the opposition and by default we had to play on the counter attack.

You just have to have a look at the athletes Arsenal and Liverpool have in their backlines and their ability to eat up ground rapidly in larger spaces to see that they have elite level ability to control the game higher up the pitch in a higher line and completely nullify the opponent on the counter attack.

Solskjaer kept playing a more conservative game and managed to steer United to a couple of very respectable finishes in the league table. But his aim was to implement a system of play that sacrificed defensive stability for goals. And the idea was good, but the players he brought into the club to achieve his goal was what ultimately cost him the job because we as a team didn't have the abilty to control the game higher up the pitch in a higher line where the players who are positioned furthest back have to win duels against the pace and power of the opposition in larger spaces.

If your CBs and deeper midfielders are strong when it comes to winning duels, especially across the ground. Then large spaces become small spaces and you stay more compact as a team even in a higher line.
 
No one in January unless we have long term injuries in central midfield.

Then hopefully some huge CM signings next summer. At least 2 hopefully 3 if Bruno leaves.
 
i`m a swede, was hoping to see "göyken" here, also small hope for Isak, but what about Kulusevski? I think that`s a midfielder that could make a difference here...
 
Own Goal - The one who scored our first goal this season.

Honestly, I do not see any signing happen in the winter this time.
 
Vicker said:
Own Goal - The one who scored our first goal this season.

Honestly, I do not see any signing happen in the winter this time.
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I would think maybe a RWB if opportunity arises
 
If we can line up a summer 26 move for Casemiro, I'd take a punt on someone like Hayden Hackney.
Wharton/Baleba would only happen, I think if one of Bruno, Mainoo or Ugarte moved on.
 
I honestly cannot see the value in going for Baleba.

He’s clearly a top talent but just to say that Isak just went for a record fee of £125m, scored 26 goals last season, and is still only 25, clearly one of the top strikers in world football and considering there aren’t many strikers out there you pay a premium. In what world is Baleba worth 115m? He’s worth 70m max at the moment. This isn’t a small over pay it’s 45m and not a mistake we can afford if he doesn’t become and maintain being one of the worlds best.
 
IrishRedDevil said:
Our midfield is going to get run through for the next 4 months, so let’s strap in and enjoy the rough ride.

Queue fighting midtable come January and needing an emergency midfielder to help ‘shore things up’. I hope not of course, but it’s hard to say otherwise with erratic Bruno, Casemiro on his last legs, want-away Mainoo not showing any fight, and Ugarte so far showing he is below the expected level.

Who will it be?
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Maybe that Whiplash screenshot was aimed at you
 
The Bruno out brigade? He’s won possession according to Squawka more than any other PL player (24 times) he’s also top of the chances created list with 12.

As a team we have the highest xg and touches in the opposition box. What we haven’t done is started to convert those chances. I think we need to give Bruno more kudos and drop the narrative that he can’t play midfield. He’s our best player and one of the best in the league.
 
Steve 007 said:
I honestly cannot see the value in going for Baleba.

He’s clearly a top talent but just to say that Isak just went for a record fee of £125m, scored 26 goals last season, and is still only 25, clearly one of the top strikers in world football and considering there aren’t many strikers out there you pay a premium. In what world is Baleba worth 115m? He’s worth 70m max at the moment. This isn’t a small over pay it’s 45m and not a mistake we can afford if he doesn’t become and maintain being one of the worlds best.
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Completely agree. I like the player, I also like what I read about Wharton but we should eye players, that haven't reached the point where there is some hype around them. No doubt, that Baleba is a great player but throwing 100 million or more for him is crazy since we aren't just in need of one midfielder but rather more.
Steve 007 said:
The Bruno out brigade? He’s won possession according to Squawka more than any other PL player (24 times) he’s also top of the chances created list with 12.

As a team we have the highest xg and touches in the opposition box. What we haven’t done is started to convert those chances. I think we need to give Bruno more kudos and drop the narrative that he can’t play midfield. He’s our best player and one of the best in the league.
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It depends on where you want to look - if you look at fbref, his numbers in midfield in respect of defensive contribution don't really shine. And thats not even a criticism towards him, since he is an attacking midfielder and doesn't have to be good at some of the things people on here seemingly want to burden him with.
 
So what do we think about bringing in a 32 verratti in January to provide experience and control in midfield?

This thinking suggests to me that Bruno is leaving next summer. Seeing as we will probably go for Baleba next summer, partnering him with verratti gives you the midfield control you don't have with Bruno in there.
 
NZT-One said:
Completely agree. I like the player, I also like what I read about Wharton but we should eye players, that haven't reached the point where there is some hype around them. No doubt, that Baleba is a great player but throwing 100 million or more for him is crazy since we aren't just in need of one midfielder but rather more.

It depends on where you want to look - if you look at fbref, his numbers in midfield in respect of defensive contribution don't really shine. And thats not even a criticism towards him, since he is an attacking midfielder and doesn't have to be good at some of the things people on here seemingly want to burden him with.
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There’s a belief on here (by some) that we are going to get run through. Forgetting the league cup as it wasn’t even a normal 11, there’s no evidence and we’ve played Arsenal to show that we can’t be strong and compact and defend well as a team. The idea teams are just going to drive through us every time is not true. Of course we know Cas hasn’t the legs and isn’t the player he used to be and Ugarte needs to urgently up his game. Yes we need a DM but we do have quality already in Bruno and Mainoo.
 
Absolutely agree with the usual shouts, but I would also love the unicorn of a player, aged 26-28, ready made, an absolute leader on and off the pitch, mobile and comfortable on the ball with the ability to get around the pitch while also dictating play, and willing to join the club for the prestige and not the money. I know, i know, that player isn't out there
 
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