By Hughie Southon
So here we are 24 hours from the opening of the transfer window and as much as needs to be said PROBABLY has been,
The most certain arrivals have been mentioned on a number of occasions -Alphibse Areola of course and the Rennes central defender Nayf Aguerd.
Beyond that we know there is an admiration for Chelsea striker Armando Broja and Watford’s 10 goal front man from last season Emmanuel Dennis.
We are also aware that scouts from the Irons, Spuds and Manchester United were at the international between Austria and Denmark suggesting that Christian Eriksen or striker Martin Brathwaite could have been targets.
Other central defenders have been mentioned although with Aguerd able to play at left back he looks a reasonable option although Issa Diop’s often suggested departure would be welcomed with a degree of disappointment as he rarely let us down on his later appearances.
Thus far we have been discussing possible departures here more than arrivals and again enough has been said about those until they happen (or not).
For now we have to trust Moyes and Newman but there are two concerns as it is often troublesome when several new additions are added to a squad at one go as surely has to be the case this summer.
The other is obviously that we need to get on with it very quickly with the season starting earlier so it is to be seriously hoped that Moysie has identified his required players and that negotiations will be completed ahead of the season starting despite the window not closing until September 1.
This is his most important window since becoming manager by a million miles as he rebuilds for the first time since taking over.
Breath is being held and fingers firmly crossed.
Fair summary of where we’re at, Hugh. After the recent departures I’d like to see us keep our current squad with the exception of Masuaku. I think all the rest have something to offer including Benrahma and Vlasic. If we signed up Areola and got in Dennis, Broja and Aguerd – assuming he can cover left back as well – I’d be reasonably satisfied. We were never going to get Nunez and I’d be very surprised if Raphinha came our way. I think we need another box to box midfielder and if we promoted the best of our younger players to the first team squad then I think we’d have enough to compete both home and abroad. Whether those players would be enough to take us to the ‘next level’, I’m not sure, but the squad would look more robust and less threadbare compared to last season. Crucially, whoever we bring in has got to have the right mentality and not seek to upset our team spirit. Fingers tightly crossed. COYI.