January transfer window

Huntelaar would be worth a punt. Only 6 months left on his current deal. Never played in the Prem and would probably love to get the chance. Since his days at Ajax he has averaged well over 20 goals per season in several of Europe's top leagues: Eredivisie, La Liga, Seria A, and Bundesliga. I'd imagine a 6M - 8M offer should be enough.

Also, Cabaye and/or Khediera could be affordable ways to quickly improve our midfield.

Huntelaar probably won't fit into the FSG model he is 31.

Huntelaar probably won't fit into the FSG model he is 31.

Oh I don't know mate, they got Toure on a free but doubt they would stump up any cash.

Oh I don't know mate, they got Toure on a free but doubt they would stump up any cash.

Freebie yup that would probably appeal.

Oh I don't know mate, they got Toure on a free but doubt they would stump up any cash.

Lambert?
Surely Huntelaar could do better for around the same fee and wages.

Huntelaar probably won't fit into the FSG model he is 31.

and injury prone

Papers reporting Berahino as our top January target for £15m. Yet another kid with potential for the future. Although he is the type of striker we should have signed in the summer. A player who is quick and has goals in him.

Huntelaar probably won't fit into the FSG model he is 31.

FSG don't have a model regarding age; just cost and wage demands (in my opinion obviously). "You can have any colour you want; as long as it's one of these two...".

Then again; there is the school of thought(?) that Brendan makes all the calls on transfers. So, in theory we could sign Huntelaar, irrespective of age or cost - providing Brendan rates him.

The thing is; if that [Brendan calls all the shots and isn't restricted] is the truth then... you have got to be hoping he rates Muller, for e.g., higher than Huntelaar. 

Papers reporting Berahino as our top January target for £15m. Yet another kid with potential for the future. Although he is the type of striker we should have signed in the summer. A player who is quick and has goals in him.

£15m? These figures really do get plucked out of thin air don't they!

£15m? These figures really do get plucked out of thin air don't they!

That's the minimum we would be paying mate.

Papers reporting Berahino as our top January target for £15m. Yet another kid with potential for the future. Although he is the type of striker we should have signed in the summer. A player who is quick and has goals in him.

Potential?

Isn't he 4th in the league in scoring...behind Aguero, Costa and Sanchez?

Potential?

Isn't he 4th in the league in scoring...behind Aguero, Costa and Sanchez?

This could be his breakthrough season he's in great scoring form so far. But he's still a young player at 21 with lots of potential it's not like he's a super PL striker yet.

Potential?

Isn't he 4th in the league in scoring...behind Aguero, Costa and Sanchez?

I think Andy Carroll was around the same place or maybe even higher on that list when we bought him. Even a player like Lukaku scored 17 goals in his first Premier League season. Doesn't make him a top striker already. So yeah, potential.

Flavour of the month.

That's the minimum we would be paying mate.

I'd rather we passed then.

We'll not get Berahino for less than 20 million quid I don't think. I think the price will be around 22 million, and I think he's worth every penny.

and I think he's worth every penny.

Well that's that then... sign him up.   

Doesn't make him a top striker already. So yeah, potential.

I've been meaning to ask you Bier - I like the look of the lad but what's your take on Luc Castaignos; do you reckon he could perform in the Premier League?

Flavour of the month.

I agree. I don't think he's that good at the moment and wouldn't like to see us waste money when we could potentially have better in the u21's. He's just a kid who got a chance and is doing well currently.

Would rather we nurture players like Ojo & Wilson, give them a chance whilst buying more established players.

Well that's that then... sign him up.   

Sorted 

I've been meaning to ask you Bier - I like the look of the lad but what's your take on Luc Castaignos; do you reckon he could perform in the Premier League?

Right now, no. In a few years, maybe, probably at some point. I was really impressed with him 4 years ago at Feyenoord. Then he went to Inter and failed there, came back to Twente, and haven't been that impressed since to be honest. Especially as far as skill and technique goes. When he was younger I thought he might turn out like a Henry type striker, but he just doesn't have anywhere that talent. Still, he'll turn out to be an ok striker, perhaps a good one at a later age. It sucks, because us Dutch are in dire need of a good young striker. After Van Persie and Huntelaar there's nobody, and they're getting on. Compare that to our days of having to pick from Kluivert, Bergkamp, van Nistelrooy, Makaay, Hasselbaink etc. The first interesting top potential Dutch striker is just 18 years old still, Richairo Zivkovic. But he'll need a few years even if he does develop well.

Right now, no. In a few years, maybe, probably at some point. I was really impressed with him 4 years ago at Feyenoord. Then he went to Inter and failed there, came back to Twente, and haven't been that impressed since to be honest. Especially as far as skill and technique goes. When he was younger I thought he might turn out like a Henry type striker, but he just doesn't have anywhere that talent. Still, he'll turn out to be an ok striker, perhaps a good one at a later age. It sucks, because us Dutch are in dire need of a good young striker. After Van Persie and Huntelaar there's nobody, and they're getting on. Compare that to our days of having to pick from Kluivert, Bergkamp, van Nistelrooy, Makaay, Hasselbaink etc. The first interesting top potential Dutch striker is just 18 years old still, Richairo Zivkovic. But he'll need a few years even if he does develop well.

Thanks for that Bier.

---------------------------------------------------

Not that I can see FSG sanctioning any money for the level of player we need but if they do - I hope the realisation has dawned [on them and many of our fans] that; from keeper to centre-half, to striker we should only sign players who are, already, better than what we already have.

To do otherwise is foolish at best; reckless at worst.

Not that I can see FSG sanctioning any money for the level of player we need but if they do - I hope the realisation has dawned [on them and many of our fans] that; from keeper to centre-half, to striker we should only sign players who are, already, better than what we already have.

To do otherwise is foolish at best; reckless at worst.

Been saying this a lot as well.

Buying "squad players" suggests buying players of a similar or slightly inferior level to the starting XI, to fill the bench and make up numbers. We strengthen in numbers but only maintain, at best, the level of the team.

Buying better than we have in the starting XI, creates competition for spaces and improves the overall quality of the group.

Or is this just over-simplifying things on my part, surely it can't be that straight forward, or else it's what we would have been doing already for years?

Or is this just over-simplifying things on my part, surely it can't be that straight forward, or else it's what we would have been doing already for years?

It could be that we are just both clueless Ayrton [it appears I am anyhow].

Or maybe the theory that how much a player is paid is the primary factor driving transfer policy is just sh*t and in reality there's some master-plan at work, which folk as stupid as me can't understand. Migs better than Pepe; Sahko, then Lovren better than Agger; Aspas/Borini/Assiadi better than Downing? The list goes on... oh for a peek at the master-plan.