[Albion] Predicting future signings

[Lurchy]

Johann Lepenant – Lyon’s next young star in midfield by Shay Hicks

Johann Lepenant – Lyon’s next young star in midfield by Shay Hicks Player Bio: Name: Johann Théo Tom LepenantNationality: FrenchD.O.B: 22/10/2002 (20 years old)Height: 176cm (5’9″…

footballtalentscout.net

Youngster Lepenant has now moved into number one position as the most comparable player to Caicedo.

Can’t see it happening - Lyon have a reputation for developing and selling for high fees. We would have bought him when he was with Caen if we were (they have an excellent youth academy).

I’ll be very happy if I was proved wrong.

 

[The Fits]

Can’t see it happening - Lyon have a reputation for developing and selling for high fees. We would have bought him when he was with Caen if we were (they have an excellent youth academy).

I’ll be very happy if I was proved wrong.

Agreed. BUT, if we get in the CL all bets will be off...(and he's just the sort of signing you'd see as the next step up).

 

[macbeth]

Can’t see it happening - Lyon have a reputation for developing and selling for high fees. We would have bought him when he was with Caen if we were (they have an excellent youth academy).

I’ll be very happy if I was proved wrong.

true but lyon are 10th so wouldn’t be in the strongest position, and they have just joined john textor’s multi-club empire, which includes that lot up the road i believe, so they could need to sell in order to pay for that new stand

 

[Ali_rrr]

true but lyon are 10th so wouldn’t be in the strongest position, and they have just joined john textor’s multi-club empire, which includes that lot up the road i believe, so they could need to sell in order to pay for that new stand

Can’t see it happening - Lyon have a reputation for developing and selling for high fees. We would have bought him when he was with Caen if we were (they have an excellent youth academy).

I’ll be very happy if I was proved wrong.

That's true but whilst the Spanish league was mentioned about not having a pot to piss in, the French league is even worse. They had a huge TV deal effectively pulled after 4 months in and clubs have huge debts. Bordeaux were relegated to the 3rd division and Lille for example have a debt of around €125m. The original TV deal was around €1bn a year and Amazon picked up the pieces at €215m a year. It'll only be a matter of time when the football empire realises that Lyon isn't profitable.

A book on the state of French football:

La ruine du foot français. Du crash Mediapro à la D3 européenne : à qui la faute ?

Les dirigeants du football français ont toujours vendu du rêve : attirer les stars du ballon rond, gagner une coupe d’Europe et ramener les clubs à l’équilibre financier. Un jour de mai 2018, ils ont cru que tout cela allait se réaliser lorsqu’un autre vendeur de rêves leur a promis la lune : un...

boutique.fypeditions.com

The state of French football is supposedly the reason why the Qataris are looking at buying Man United.

 

[Gabbiano]

We haven't shopped that much in the top 5 leagues for a reason - it's harder to find value.

Most players have come from smaller leagues (particularly the Dutch and Belgian leagues), finished contracts at top clubs, or came from top club academies. Also we have been known to look in the second tier of the top European leagues (e.g. Núñez, Gross).

In terms of regular first team starters from these top leagues bought since establishing ourselves in the top flight:
- Estupiñán - sold cheap for Villarreal to comply with FFP
- Cucurella - bought at Getafe's release clause

In the first couple of seasons (under Hughton) we bought Bissouma from Lille, Montoya from Valencia, Bernardo from Leipzig and Ryan from Valencia. These feel like a long time ago now and were (with the exception of Bissouma) really signings to consolidate and achieve survival.

Basically, it all depends where the value is. Maybe if the French and Spanish leagues are that desparate for money, the value is there now where it wasnt before.

 

[Surf's Up]

Bloody well researched mate, thanks.

 

[seagull_si]

Think we’ll need:

Left Centre Back: If we don’t want to pay for Matviyenko, we should grab David Hancko from Feyenoord. Perfect modern day defender, can cover left back too and wouldn’t cost the earth. If we want someone a bit younger, then get Konstantinos Koulierakis. Mentioned him on another thread, and we’ve been rumoured to have scouted him, he doesn’t really play left back but will be a rolls royce of a centre back.


(Possibly?)A new RB. Lamptey might well be off, we should ask spurs about Djed Spence

CM:
I think that Johnny Cardoso rumour has us written all over it. Yes please. He can be our new ‘6’

Would also love us to get Davide Frattesi. We’ve been tentatively linked in the Italian media, I feel he is someone RDZ would really like to have and this signing would keep him happy, and he is and excellent player.


CAM:
Would like a new 10 player, but ideally someone who can play anywhere. That would be Xavi Simons, for me. Would be pricey as PSV wouldn’t want to sell, but I think he would be an incredibly good buy, and can play as a 10, right wing left wing, anywhere across the front.

FW:
Can definitely see us going back for Valentin Castellanos, who we were linked with in January. He’d offer something different to Ferguson and Welbeck, and he’s proved himself in a top 5 league after scoring bucketloads in America.

edit. see below, wrong link attached.

 

[seagull_si]

and this

 

[The Fits]

Constantly linked. Makes so much sense, especially if RDZ is getting a little more input (suspect he might on first team ready players). Yes please.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Phwoar 30m on the Watford player, 30m on the Bristol City player, 40m on Frattesi.

If all of these rumours are right we are going to have to sell a big player to balance the books

 

[The Fits]

Roberto, we are going to sell your two central midfielders for £150 million this summer.

Fine Paul but can you sign Fratessi? He's an elite player that I know inside out, knows my formations, my way of working and will cost £35 million.

We can do that. We are also going to sign loads of young players you might never have heard of, but we can definitely do that.

It's a no brainer and even Naylor has said we are interested in the past. Even if we also signed another 5 players we'd have change from the Moises/Mac money.

 

[dolphins]

true but lyon are 10th so wouldn’t be in the strongest position, and they have just joined john textor’s multi-club empire, which includes that lot up the road i believe, so they could need to sell in order to pay for that new stand

The money for the stand was ring fenced though wasn't it?

 

[Eeyore]

Phwoar 30m on the Watford player, 30m on the Bristol City player, 40m on Frattesi.

If all of these rumours are right we are going to have to sell a big player to balance the books

Can't think of anyone who would cover all that spend.

Oh...

 

[albionalex]

Phwoar 30m on the Watford player, 30m on the Bristol City player, 40m on Frattesi.

If all of these rumours are right we are going to have to sell a big player to balance the books

The Cucerella, Bissouma, Trossard and Potter fees mean we actually don't need to.

 

[Change at Barnham]

Roberto, we are going to sell your two central midfielders for £150 million this summer.

Fine Paul but can you sign Fratessi? He's an elite player that I know inside out, knows my formations, my way of working and will cost £35 million.

We can do that. We are also going to sign loads of young players you might never have heard of, but we can definitely do that.

It's a no brainer and even Naylor has said we are interested in the past. Even if we also signed another 5 players we'd have change from the Moises/Mac money.

Naylor mentioning Frattesi in The Athletic on 12th May.

"If Mac Allister and/or Caicedo sales materialise, funds would be available to buy at least one more midfielder. Targets include Italian international Davide Frattesi from De Zerbi’s former club Sassuolo."

 

[Wozza]

Also we have been known to look in the second tier of the top European leagues (e.g. Núñez, Gross).

Gross was Bundesliga, nein? Relegated, sure, but still scouted in the top tier.

 

[severnside gull]

Nicolás Domínguez Bologna midfielder linked at supposedly €20m. Not entirely convinced tbh.- seems like the least impressive of those we have been linked with..

Nicolás Domínguez - Player profile 24/25

Nicolás Domínguez, 26, from Argentina ➤ Nottingham Forest, since 2023 ➤ Central Midfield ➤ Market value: €17.00m ➤ * Jun 28, 1998 in Haedo, Argentina

www.transfermarkt.co.uk

 

[GT49er]

Roberto, we are going to sell your two central midfielders for £150 million this summer.

Fine Paul but can you sign Fratessi? He's an elite player that I know inside out, knows my formations, my way of working and will cost £35 million.

We can do that. We are also going to sign loads of young players you might never have heard of, but we can definitely do that.

It's a no brainer and even Naylor has said we are interested in the past. Even if we also signed another 5 players we'd have change from the Moises/Mac money.

Ooops!

 

[albionfan37]

Nicolás Domínguez Bologna midfielder linked at supposedly €20m. Not entirely convinced tbh.- seems like the least impressive of those we have been linked with..

Nicolás Domínguez - Player profile 24/25

Nicolás Domínguez, 26, from Argentina ➤ Nottingham Forest, since 2023 ➤ Central Midfield ➤ Market value: €17.00m ➤ * Jun 28, 1998 in Haedo, Argentina

www.transfermarkt.co.uk

Never heard of him so I’m guessing it’s a goer

 

[Lurchy]

Nicolás Domínguez Bologna midfielder linked at supposedly €20m. Not entirely convinced tbh.- seems like the least impressive of those we have been linked with..

Nicolás Domínguez - Player profile 24/25

Nicolás Domínguez, 26, from Argentina ➤ Nottingham Forest, since 2023 ➤ Central Midfield ➤ Market value: €17.00m ➤ * Jun 28, 1998 in Haedo, Argentina

www.transfermarkt.co.uk

His stats graph is almost a 100% mirror of Ali Macs - he’s a ready made replacement.

Federico Redondo is one I’ll like us to go after as a replacement for Caidedo. He’s been very good at the u20 World Cup - across between Busquets and Rodri.