21 Apr 2017 09:14:25
Ed02 if you're about . is lacazette or Marco rues a possible option for us? I've listened to the sharkpod and it's a good listen and you're knowledge is much appreciated. I'm not just plucking names out of the air here as we've been on and off for a while been linked with these in the press. I think up top of the field we look great better than most but we need strength in our squad if we do manage champs league and want to try and win domestic league next season? If we got no chance of these 2 do you have a clue where these might end up?

{Ed002's Note - Possibly and probably not is the answer.

Interest in Lyon's Alexander Lacazette from Newcastle and Inter has long gone. Additionally, whilst Guy Hillion has continued to extol his virtues but there is no support whatesoever from the folks in London for a bid at this time - so prior interest of Chelsea has gone. Barcelona, Atletico, Juventus and Spurs had him watched late last season - but Barcelona had another solution in mind for what they want and will not be following up. Juventus took it no further and moved to hold talks about another player and Spurs purchased Janssen but may still want to add a striker in the summer - but Lacazette may become an option again so I would not totally discount Spurs nor Juve.

West Ham enquired after Lacazette's availability previously and submitted two bids that were rejected - but wages and the lack of desire from the player to move to a club like WHU means that option has probably gone - plus Lacazette will want Champions League football.

Dortmund are continuing to hedge their bets by looking for a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacement and have watched Lacazette on a couple of occasions.

Arsenal decided that the asking price was too high in the summer and opted, for reasons beyond me, for Lucas Perez. I suspect that they might return in the coming summer when they will be in the market for a striker and Lacazette might well be a good option for them - much will however depend on who the manager is.

He is not first or second choice for PSG but they could potentially turn to him if they fail to bring anyone else in - I think a less likely option.

I am not aware of Liverpool showing any interest in the player recently, but (a) if they look to move Sturridge on (which I think they will), (b) if Liverpool qualify for the Champions League, and (c) if Liverpool have the stomach to pay what will likely be €60M for the player, then Lacazette might well be an option.

Lacazette is a player that Mourinho has looked at from his time at Chelsea, but any interest will depend on what happens with Ibrahimovich. Right now Manchester United have shown no interest.

Lyon are very difficult to negotiate with and they may well see an Gallic shrug in response to any initial bids. Lacazette wants English money and Champions League or Juventus. Lyon will look for at least €10M more for a sale to an English side as they know what they can expect from elsewhere. Two French players who have played in England have been providing advice to Lacazette that it is not essential to move to England immediately, but I suspect he has other ideas now and would welcome a move.

Dortmund would be open to selling Marco Reus this summer as a means of generating funds for what may need to be a major rebuild of the side.Arsenal could be interested as a possible replacement for Sanchez if he was available at a reasonable fee and critically can prove his fitness - which in itself is a major issue (and an on going issue). Bayern is no longer pushing for him and I think are unlikely to look to him again even though there are issues with both of the long-term replacements for Ribery and Robben and Dortmund are reluctant to lose any more players to thems. Real Madrid and Barcelona interest has moved on for now. The interest shown briefly by PSG has gone and it would depend what happens from a head coach stand point whether or not that returns. As with everything there are issues, the one Chelsea identified that made them step back from their interest, whatever the asking price ends up being, and his ability to prove and sustain fitness.}


1.) 21 Apr 2017
21 Apr 2017 09:47:06
Hey ed! Could you share some more info about who Bayern's long-term replacements for R&R are? I ask on this page because it might have an impact on Brandt, who is one of our confirmed targets.

{Ed002's Note - Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa.}


2.) 21 Apr 2017
21 Apr 2017 10:09:53
Wow. Now that's what you call a detailed response. 😋.


3.) 21 Apr 2017
21 Apr 2017 10:48:56
Cracking response ed👍 Didn't expect anything else cheers bud much appreciated. I'll take you're response as their nailed on for us then 😂😉.


4.) 21 Apr 2017
21 Apr 2017 11:43:52
Brilliant response Ed, thanks for the reply

Think Lacazette would be a good option if Sturridge were to leave and complementary to Firmino and Origi as a different sort of player to both of these.

{Ed002's Note - Don't forget Ings.}


5.) 21 Apr 2017
21 Apr 2017 13:26:30
Fair call but he still needs to prove he can recover from some pretty serious injuries. I think going into a potential CL campaign season with just Firmino and Origi and Ings is a big risk (again assuming we sell Sturridge) .

On a related topic, we also clearly need an option to cover for Mane/ Coutinho too, but Firmino can offer that flexibility, so I personally think we should either go for a WF (e. g. Brandt) or a new CF (e. g. Lacazette/ Dembele) depending on how Klopp sees Firmino long term (ie. Is Firmino a full time striker or a part-time false nine? ), but we don't need both.


6.) 21 Apr 2017
21 Apr 2017 14:08:05
Agreed with Zimbo. A wide forward like Brandt/ Williams will give us enough flexibility; Mane I think can also play in the middle, after all. Firmino and Origi with Mane as a cover and hopefully Ings/ youth players for cup games ought to be enough. That said, I really like the growth of Dembele and wouldn't mind seeing him in the club. We are not in a position to offer him regular time though.

Also, if Alex OC comes to the club, he would be able to offer cover both for the Lallana and the wide positions, minimizing the need of "pure" CF even further. I guess we will see.


7.) 22 Apr 2017
22 Apr 2017 09:31:40
Do you think Liverpool could possibly have the stomach to pay 60 million euros?


8.) 22 Apr 2017
22 Apr 2017 11:11:10
Somewhat related, personally from what little I've seen of him to like him do like him as a player. But he has 25 goals in 27, but read 9 were from the penalty spot (which again I don't discount as is a talent to put pens away) but that means in open play has 15 in 27.

Mane has 13 in 27 from playing wide in the BPL which I think shows how good a signing Mane has turned out to be!


9.) 23 Apr 2017
23 Apr 2017 12:45:35
Who for, Robin?