The fact that we wouldn't be paying Arsenal anything like the fee we are getting from Barca, leaves plenty of room for a sign on fee and a serious weekly paycheck, but all that assumes the player was committed. If I were to have a guess right now, I'd say it could be a £30m-£40m cheque to Arsenal, but possibly another £10-£15m to the boy on joining and north of £200k pw on wages (before bonuses).. but I think he'd be worth every penny, if he was up for it. The point raised above about us possibly getting 2 seasons out of him, before he'd want to go to PSG is probably spot on (assuming he was on for coming in the first place), so maybe just give him a 2 year contact and if we are doing well enough in 2 years time, and he's also doing well enough, then we go again for another year or 2. I'm not sure Lallana has anything like the creativity that Coutinho has, also he's a few years older so is likely to start to slow down now etc. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player, but not a replacement for Coutinho imho. Fair comments about the other two lads you've mentioned, but again not good enough to replace Coutinho as a creative attacking midfielder, imho.
Seems the Mahrez story has been dismissed by "Sky Sources" It's entirely possible that Klopp might sign nobody this window, I think it would be a mistake as the morale might be a little low in losing Coutinho and an attacking signing might just help ease that. But Klopp will do things his way and he genuinely seems to believe in the squad he already has available.
From what I've read, the squad was aware and comfortable with the attitude of Coutinho and so personally I don't see morale as being a problem. I would imagine that getting VVD in before the news of Coutinho leaving would boost the squad as they are more aware than anyone that they are leaking goals unnecessarily and that attacking options are available to the gaffer. By the same token, buying a new goalkeeper would not be a surprise to anyone in the squad, including the current Number 1,2,3 choice.
Getting the feeling Klopp sees Ox as a way to Cushion the loss of Coutinho, not a direct replacement but to soften the blow plus Keita coming in next weekend Window will do th same. Probably Klopp sees more cogs a better solution?
Dybala would be great, I think he is a better player than Coutinho and was amazed Barcelona didn't move for him, especially as he is Argentinian so you expect he would suit Messi. He has been at his best for Juventus, just behind Higuain feeding him and following in for scores himself. Has great balance and can turn on a sixpence with a wonderful left foot. Sticking with Juventus we could look at Pjanic, he was brought in as Pirlo's replacement and has a great eye for a pass with the full range of passing in his locker. He sits deeper in the midfield than Coutinho would have done but that maybe more like watch we need. Suarez for obvious reasons on ability but also to piss off Barcelona. Verrati has bags of skill and pace so would suit on the attacking front but he doesn't work hard enough. Mahrez is the most realistic option, already used to PL should be able to come in and adapt quickly. He could do a job until the summer. I personally think his work rate would be an issue for Klopp. If he came in and worked out cheap enough and we get CL football then that would pay back his fee.
Some good suggestions there Dubfan, Dybala could be a very good move alright, seems to play as a second striker so might need to sit back a little more in midfield and get used to sharing the ball a bit more rather than going for goal himself everytime, but perhaps that's just my wrong impression having seen so little of him and just believing what I read or hear others say etc. What sort of dosh to you reckon he'd cost - could well be £80m and upwards ? (also, thanks for getting the thread back on topic ... )
Not an attacking mid I know, but even if its just to iritate my Manc mates who are having far too much fun with us selling Coutinho, Griezmann has a 100m release clause. Drop Bobby back to the 10 role - he's an enegizer bunny and can pick a pass.
Not sure I'd look for a direct replacement for Phil. Think I'd rather see us invest the money in a keeper a DM and a striker. Between Mane, Salah, Firmino, Lallana and Oxlade Chamberlain we are well covered that if we can get decent quality players for those 3 positions with the Couthino money plus a bit extra the squad would be in great shape.
He is second striker in some games but often drops deeper to pick up the ball and instigate attacks. Could cost nearly as much as we got for Coutinho but for me would be worth it. I think he would love playing with our front 3.
While I'd love us to sign Dybala I'm not sure we're there yet as a club where a player who is winning titles in Italy will want to come to us. No harm trying though and I think we're getting there under Klopp but players will want to see us winning trophies. With the media now saying we're not in for Mahrez and not in for Lemar maybe this will be one of those deals that happens and then we hear about. Lets home we invest and invest well though.
I'm not sure we'd get all three for the dosh coming in from the sale of our little No. 10, but for various reasons we could use quality players for all three positions alright mate. Probably all worth of discussion across the various threads, but trying to keep this one on attacking midfielders as much as I can The suggestion of dropping Firmino back to midfield and putting another striker in remains a possibility, he played more of an attacking midfield role than a striker while he played in Germany and did a very fine job there, so that could also be an option but would that appear like we were implying that his time up front wasn't a success ? .. I don't think so, would also think it then means we must buy a quality striker and perhaps once again, something for another thread ? I'd see the PL as a step up from the Italian league, also see LFC as a club on the up right now given we are last 16, top 4 etc. but that's a moment in time... where we may finish at the end of the season is completely uncertain (and could in theory, be even better), so I'd be inclined to be making a move now while things are positive for us, rather than risk a negative impact from loosing Coutinho and not replacing him with quality before the summer.
I've seen a mention of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid, still only 22 and a lot of experience and has some amazing show reels on youtube. But not much experience of playing anywhere other than CM and a bit further forward. But he looked unreal for Betis whenever I saw him. Or Kovacic this time maybe?
mahrez also for me, numbers have been great over last few years, realistic chance of signing and could fill the coutinhio space easily.
Personally I’d like us to sign a top draw Dm first then better back up for Firmino then a keeper before a attacking CM. I’d be quite happy to see Woodburn get more game time with us .
Marek Hamsik for me I know he's 30 so probably unrealistic for fsg but I think he'd be the perfect replacement for the no 10 role. The majority of players mentioned in this thread would be more suited to the front 3 rather than the midfield. I Still think we could do with another player in the front wide positions more as understudy to Mane and Salah. I like the look of Gray of Leicester and possibly Zaha (comes across as a bit of a bird brain ) but I'd imagine the internet might explode if either where the next signing we made.
Read we’re going for a no 10 that’s not been mentioned by the press and the journo was asked to keep it out of the pres for now, all the journo said he doesn’t think we will be able to get him .
Would love Dybala but don't see it happening. He would be a good shout to replace Hazard at Chelsea I reckon. As regards a punt on an unnamed target, I would say that Pulisic could be on klopp's radar.