28 Aug 2026 10:39:37
It now feels like if we sign a left back it could be a panic buy. I know we need depth but a last minute purchase is always risky. We have signed some crackers late in the window, Lammens last year, and Berbatov are good examples, so we can only hope we can pull one out of the bag.
28 Aug 2026 11:41:41
They have had enough time to identify one. Surely no one expects Shaw to play 2 games a week and stay fit in a non-World Cup year. Surprised he came through a whole game unscathed, tbh.
28 Aug 2026 12:11:12
Fingers crossed, ajh. Hall is not going to force his way out, which I'm pleased about. I don't think it shows anybody in a good light when that happens. Let's hope we get a couple in, lb and cf, before the window closes.
28 Aug 2026 12:29:23
DB, I am sure they have identified possible targets, but unfortunately you are not always able to sign your desired targets, for one reason or another.
I would rather see a loan than go for an unsuitable signing. I feel fairly sure we would go for Hall next summer.
He is clearly our No1 target.
It could well match the Baleba situation, whereby it meant waiting a year to get your desired player. It seems to me to be a far more sensible, and, dare I say, professional way of doing things.
28 Aug 2026 12:54:59
If they don't sign a left back, we have to assume Dorgu will play some games there.
Not ideal, but it makes more sense to play him there than any of Dalot, Maz, Martinez or Baleba.
28 Aug 2026 13:49:47
Surely Jorge Salinas is worth a punt if his release clause is only 13.7 million.
28 Aug 2026 14:30:03
Mazraoui played left back for Morocco, I think.
28 Aug 2026 16:01:02
Yea, we failed to sign our desired left backs because, publicly, we have briefed reporters that we will leave business late in the window, an amazing tactic. Wait for Newcastle to sell half their team and then enquire about Hall.
28 Aug 2026 17:15:23
Now, they can say, well, we did try. It's a bit of a smoke screen, and then we end up getting someone who will be no competition to Luke Shaw, and Luke Shaw plays most of the games.
If Hall has a great season, they probably think they can still get him for 60 million, even though, probably, next season prices will rise again.
They may wait for him to have a really bad season like Baleba, and get him on the cheap.
28 Aug 2026 17:21:11
If he gives another pen away this weekend we might get him on a free.
28 Aug 2026 17:37:54
I was thinking along the same lines, Ken. ?
28 Aug 2026 20:24:49
Might be a Balde loan with option to buy.