14 Jul 2026 23:45:33
So who does everyone?
1. Think the next midfielder will be.
2. Want the next midfielder to be.
For me, I think it will be Kone but would love a leftfield signing like Bruno G or Tchouameni.
I still think an offer of 150M for Bruno G and Lewis Hall would make Newcastle consider and would shape up to a solid window.
15 Jul 2026 06:49:12
Scott and Scott.
Bruno G is 28.
Touchameni, didn't he use interest to get a better deal?
Lewis Hall would be very good IMO.
15 Jul 2026 07:52:21
I like Scott or Wharton. Big engines.
I'm not a huge, huge fan of Kone, he's at Roma, no PL experience, and aside from a game or 2 in the WC, he wasn't fantastic, particularly last night. That's when he plays with the best around him.
We need someone who grabs the bull by the horns, industrious, scrappy, etc. I think Anderson was ideal, but after him Scott or Wharton for me.
But I'm sure the club have several options that satisfy their analytics.
15 Jul 2026 08:10:53
Baleba miles ahead of Scott for me for what we need.
15 Jul 2026 08:11:50
I think, with the approach it will be a Premier League proven player and I think Baleba. I know he had a poor season but I think one of the Ed's said he had an injury, not a great preseason and his head was turned and it didn't materialise. His profile is perfect but appreciate fee will be an issue and a decision on can they get him to his best again.
I think I'm edging towards Baleba as I think he offers a physical presence that others don't quite match but Scott would be a great addition.
With the first two additions, could be a left field addition. Sander Berge, Tyler Adams or Lucas Bergvall?!
15 Jul 2026 08:42:01
I too think it'll be Baleba.
£150m for Bruno G and Hall? What value are you putting on each player??? That's farcical money.
15 Jul 2026 10:28:36
Has to be Baleba.
We don't have legs in the midfield. Pace and power is what you need in the Premier League and Baleba has bundles of it. Playing for his dream club, I think he would be signing of the season come next year. I truly believe there's a gem there.
15 Jul 2026 10:39:58
I guess it depends on if we stay with a 2 or move to a 3. Someone who sits and breaks up play is completely different to a box to box player. I like Scott a lot, but also see the attraction of Baleba, assuming the price is sensible.
15 Jul 2026 11:34:58
I think it will be Baleba. I like Scott, but either would be good signings.
Don't rate Bruno from Newcastle, 29, be wanting big wages, and for the fee Newcastle are being quoted as wanting, no thanks.
15 Jul 2026 11:58:32
1. Joao Gomes.
2. Baleba.
Bonus: I'd take Palhinha on loan.
15 Jul 2026 12:04:34
Plenty young players have a dip for a season or two after a breakout year. It's a risk to assume it is just a dip, though. We can all think of players who we thought were destined for great futures, only to prove to be a flash in the pan.
If we do get Baleba, then I hope, like Kobbie, who also stormed onto the scene, he can put a poor season behind him and achieve his full potential.
15 Jul 2026 12:42:15
The £150M on Bruno G and Hall would break down to £80m and £50M, then add ons.
I forgot about Gomes. That could be the engine, but I also think Baleba is underrated for sure. However, Brighton won't budge on price.
15 Jul 2026 12:59:37
I like Kone from what I've seen at the World Cup. I've ruled out a 'marquee' signing in midfield. Players in their prime rarely leave Real, so Camavinga and Tchouemeni talk is wishful thinking, imo.
Keep seeing Scott mentioned, but didn't Bournemouth rule him out leaving weeks ago when Arsenal sniffed?
15 Jul 2026 14:21:17
Is 28 considered old for a player now, Red Man? Considering he would likely be signed for 4 years and finish his contract younger than Casemiro is?
15 Jul 2026 13:32:06
I think we've done a great job of adding players to midfield that have different and complementary styles of play.
What I think we are missing though is a big, powerful, athletic midfielder. Someone to add real physicality to the midfield. Carlos Baleba would be a good example, although I feel that we can get a similar player for a lot less than Brighton are demanding for Baleba.
Anderson and Mateus Fernandes are fantastic players, and I won't suggest now that I wouldn't have been happy if we signed them. However, if I'm honest I think that we have managed to sign some great alternatives for a lot less.
I feel like our signings have been much smarter this summer. So far we have avoided the "obvious" signings, but still managed to sign quality and potential.
Youri Tielemans will add a genuine playmaker, but someone who also won't shy away from their defensive duties. He also brings great experience and leadership, key things we need just as much as we need quality. EPL proven to boot.
Andrey Santos adds passing, and ball winning ability, he's an interesting blend of tenacious and measured, clearly an intelligent player. I think he's flown slightly under the radar, when he was at Strasbourg the only midfielders to beat him in key midfield metrics are the PSG lads. While they will typically perform better due to playing for the dominant side in Ligue 1. The only reason he didn't start more for Chelsea was largely political, you can't drop either Caicedo or Enzo Fernandez (both 100m+ players) for a youngster. That said the teams performances levels never dropped when he played ahead of either of them.
Those two alongside Mainoo gives us three options, who are all good enough to be regular starters, for two positions.
I'm also pleased that the club decided to pull out of the Ederson deal after an issue came up on his medical. Mistakes have been made in the past where we've had potential issues flag up on the medical but decided to sign them anyway (Hargreaves and Mount spring to mind). I feel sorry for the player, he's been messed around a little, and I feel for him. But the club have to do what is best for the club, and if a potential issue has flagged up then it's not worth the risk. Especially given that he'd be moving from a slower league to a much quicker and more physical one in the EPL.
If we can find that physically dominant midfielder for a reasonable fee then it will be an A* transfer window in terms of rebuilding the midfield. That is of course based on potential and not how they actually pan out as their potential suggests.
15 Jul 2026 14:52:10
I like Kone- he played pretty well yesterday in a midfield 2 against Spain's 3. Stupid from France are not down to him.
The Camavinga rumours seem to have started up since Tchuameni agreed with Real. Not sure if he is really considered, but age, experience, ability to play DCM and leftback cover at a high level are interesting.
Old MU would buy him in name alone. Will he fit with what new team are looking for? Unknown.
Hopefully, utd have a strong plan and will get who they need to compliment the current squad.
15 Jul 2026 14:53:42
A left-footed midfielder, Mainoo, Santos, and Tielemans are all right-footed. It would be nice to have a left-footer in there for balance. From those mentioned above, Baleba and Wharton are the only left-footers. However, if the player is long-term, playing with Mainoo, they need to make up for his lack of defensive output.
The best partner that's young, left-footed, a defensive beast, and at a club that you can pull him out of is Mamadou Sangare at Lens.
15 Jul 2026 17:29:40
Sorry, left out Baleba too.
DB gave up way too easily a couple of times last night. I know it's tough v a midfield three, but it shouldn't stop him trying.
15 Jul 2026 17:42:06
Sadiki from Sunderland.
15 Jul 2026 18:20:23
France in general played poorly, but he was still playing, getting in the ball and passing forward through to the end. Long after his teammates appeared to have thrown in the towel. Sure, the scouts will not react to a single game, and I haven't seen him enough to say whether he is definitely who I would go for.
I just hope we get someone who can cover a lot of ground, break up play when needed, and pass the ball well. A lot are being mentioned here who could play that role, so we are not short of options.
15 Jul 2026 18:50:53
Just had a look at Eduardo Camavinga's stats. Left-footed, high energy, passes forward, defensive beast, 23. He played in the 21/22 Champions League and league-winning side 40 times, and in the 23/24 Champions League and league-winning side 46 times.
At 23, to have the number of games he has for Real Madrid and the trophies he has is pretty remarkable.
Probably too expensive for our board though.