06 Sep 2023 10:56:07
Would be interested to hear some views on who we all think would be a "good" replacement for Salah if he were to be sold.

This is just a bit of fun and isn't a discussion about whether we should sell Salah, we've had plenty of those. But just who we think would come closest to his level for us.

For me there's probably only 3 that I would see as being a great replacement if we are to buy a forward rather than re-invest elsewhere.

Saka
Kvaratskhelia
Leao

And even 2 of those would require shifting positions around a little.

What does everyone else think? What's your view Ed001, I know you're very much in the "Don't sell Salah" camp.

{Ed001's Note - Bakayoko, Szoboszlai, Saka is all that I can think of right now. Actually no, there is also Mbappe obviously.}

1.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 11:54:12
Tbh, I really like Saka. He's a great player, young, and always puts a shift in. An added bonus that he's HG as well. He's Arsenal through and through so would never join us but he is one of my favorite players from other teams.

2.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 11:55:34
I'm sure Szobo would do well in the role but we've finally got an all action, skilful, goalscoring midfielder. Last thing I would want to do is move him to RW.

3.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 11:56:00
Hello folks, I was going to hold off until Thursday has passed so the Salah talk can be parked, but I couldn't resist!

One other I would throw in to discuss would be Sane. He isn't a long term fix, like Saka or Bakayoko would be, but I wonder whether he and Szoboszlai could allow Doak the time to make the position his own?

4.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 11:59:59
Controversial opinion but I would look at Bowen. Works his socks off and has a decent finish on him. Once you get over the fact there is no one capable of replacing him (left footed, RW goal scorer scoring 30+ a season) you’ve either got to change the fundamentals of our forward line or get a lesser player in a similar mould.

If we stick with the same way of playing, I’d get Bowen.

5.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 12:14:31
Arda Guler was one that might have been interesting has we known about the Saudi league's ambitions 6-9 months earlier.

Same can be said of Bradley Barcola.

Karim Adeyemi is one that will be looking for a step up in the next year or two but perhaps he has his sights on Bayern.

Presumably, Nico Williams is still on our radar.

The ship has sailed on Saka. He's earning a fortune at Arsenal.

Don't know anything about Bakayoko yet.

PS Keep Salah.

{Ed002's Note - You are talking about players that Liverpool have no interest in with Guler, Barcola and Adeyemi. Liverpool have not shown interest in Saka and a club where were interested were chased off. Nico Williams were looked at but offers from two other sides were rejected in the summer and he will get a new contract. There has been interest in Bakayoko as I have explained.}

6.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 12:16:14
Saka won’t be leaving arsenal in the next two years.

7.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 12:03:07
Ed mate, I think there’s a reply from Ed002 that Klopp likes Sane, what do you think of him fitting in? Haven’t watched him after he moved in all honesty.

{Ed001's Note - I am not a big fan of his and he has attitude issues which is why he left City.}

8.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 12:33:11
Another vote for Bowen. He's realistic, premiership proven, left footed, hard working and playing for a better team would up his numbers significantly. haven't seen much of johan bakayoko but he does look fast and tricky.

9.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 12:38:54
I saw Guler, Barcola and Adeyemi on the spreadsheet, so there!

10.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 13:40:09
Hi Ed001,
As you mentioned Mbappe, I see some of the newspapers are linking him with us again. Do you think there is any realistic chance of signing him, or will be be off to Real next summer? Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - I wish! This keeps coming up because he mentioned that his ma supports us and wants him to join us. I very much doubt we could even come close to affording his wages. You are talking about £40m+ a year on top of a transfer fee. And then there is bonuses etc. It is just not feasible.}

11.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 14:02:46
Diaby.

Or move Dom to RW and TAA to midfield.

12.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 14:34:04
Szoboszlai behind any two of our strikers!

13.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 15:42:37
Cheers Ed001, can always live in hope that’s already earned enough money in his career already, or we just give him all the Salah cash!

14.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 15:43:42
Another id throw into the ring would Chiesa. With the massive proviso that he has an injury free campaign and gets back to somewhere like the talent he looked pre injury.

Other than that, I think Bowen is a good shout.

15.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 16:13:10
Given how much West Ham extracted from Arsenal for Rice then I expect they would want all the Salah proceeds for Bowen.

16.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 17:11:25
I don't think Saka could replace Salah. he's good but nowhere near that level imo.

17.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 17:39:53
Only issue with Bowen is he is 26, so by next summer any deal would have to make sense and I don’t think West Ham would let him go for anything reasonable.

Aside from the finances, I think he’s an excellent player and makes any squad and most 11’s stronger. Big big fan.

18.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 20:22:24
Szoboszlai RW may not be a bad call. Rafa did the same with Stevie G and he scored something like 18 goals that season.
If he went to RW and we bought in, say someone like Valverde, into the midfield then we are looking really strong in terms of quality midfield options and we can also then look to continue to develop Doak whilst still being in a position l, financially, to make the necessary changes across the back 4 and at CDM.

If going for a winger though then I agree with the OP, Kvara or Leao for me.

19.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 20:25:12
Saka would be ideal but not happening, Sane fits the bill but a bit old let than the usual target range.
Bowen would be a great option in my opinion, as would Diaby if he has a good season at the Villa. I will watch Andy Fati at Brighton as he might be a good option if he performs. No reason we couldn’t do a Spurs like what they did to Southampton with Ol’ Toby Ald.
Bakayoko is probably the stand out though. Young, promising, left footed and oace for days, sell on value etc etc. All just my opinion of course, but I certainly wouldn’t want to see Szlob playing there.

20.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 20:40:24
Chiesa is too damn slow to do anything in the premier league.
You need elite pace in the premier league.

Here’s a name I’ve not heard for a while, does anyone know how he’s doing?

Thomas Lemar.

He seemed to be a good bet once upon a time.

21.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 21:08:23
Nobody knows what level Saka could reach, but Salah wasn't at his current level when he signed.
Saka could turn out to be better than Salah, or he could let it go to his head and tail off. Absolutely no way of telling.
He is a joy to watch though, a wonderful talent.

22.) 06 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 21:58:17
IMO, leave Szobo exactly where he is killing it now in a position that suits him and the team. For me, no moving if current players anywhere in the team just to do a job. We will have enuff money to get the replacement (s) we need for him without moving performing players to his position. Doesn’t make sense, imo.

23.) 07 Sep 2023
06 Sep 2023 22:40:02
A couple of other names worth considering

Pedro Neto of Wolves. Seems to have come back strongly from a serious injury, Prem experience and good end product

Yeremy Pino was well thought of a while back, though heard little recently.

Eds, appreciate your thoughts on whether either would be a good fit for us or if there is any interest?

24.) 07 Sep 2023
07 Sep 2023 12:19:05
I hear Adama Traori may be available soon ?.