16 Dec 2013 22:09:46
This is just guesswork but I'm guessing we have about £20 million left over from the Fellaini and Anichebe sales, plus if the board is aspirational enough to back us with extra funds in the region of £10-15 mil in January then theoretically we could have about 30 something mil to spend, along with the money raised from possible outgoings. If that is the case I think we should go in for Jackson Martinez from Porto, he only has 2 1/2 years left on his contract so I think we could get him for about £23 mil. He's been banging them in for Porto this season, and I think his stats speak for themselves.

Secondly, I think we could get Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton for about £7 mil, he's massively underrated and in my opinion he'd be great back up for this season plus he would probably push through into the first team in a year or so.

Thirdly, I think we should sign is Grant Hanley from Blackburn for about £3-4 mil. Some people may raise an eyebrow at this one but if anyone actually took the time to watch him last season you'd see what a good defender he is, plus I think he's still only 22 or something.

And finally, I think we should sign Leighton Baines on a five year contract. Without a doubt one of the best left backs in the World and brings so much to the table, everything must be done to make him sign a contract!

So January could potentially look like this:

Ins:
Jackson Martinez - £23 mil
Morgan Schneiderlin - £7 mil
Grant Hanley - £3.5 mil

Total spent: £33.5 mil

Outs:
Johnny Heitinga - £3 mil

If the board pushed the boat out for once and financed these moves I think that top 4 would definitely be within our reach.

Thoughts lads?

BitterBlue

1.) 16 Dec 2013
No chance of martienz as real chelsea after him we should got him before porto what about muriel for 25 to 30

2.) 16 Dec 2013
16 Dec 2013 23:01:34
jackson martinez? the 27 year old striker for porto valued at 40m who has never played in a top league and isn't even that good for his country, no thank you that is silly you may aswell of said hey why don't we get aguero or why don't we buy falcao they would be more realistic than him, schneiderlin is quality and is worth at least 18m and southampton don't need to sell so you are in dream land if you believe we can get him

Mike-Ox Long

3.) 16 Dec 2013
Interesting post.
Based on our recent financial history, there's no way IMHO that our board will fund any spending that can't be covered by current income or what we have left over from last summer's transfer dealings. The idea that they'd dip into their own pockets - even if they could - or would put the club further in debt just doesn't seem likely.
If/when Jackson Martinez moves, it'll surely only be to a club in the Champions League.
I just can't see Southampton letting Schneiderlin go - and then only for a fee that's double what you've suggested.
As for, Grant Hanley, he seems more like a player DM would have been interested in and not one that RM would - but what the heck do I know!

4.) 17 Dec 2013
For that money instead of Martinez we got to be doing everything to get Lukaku. The only obscure player i'd risk big money on is Yevhen Konoplyanka of Dnipro. What a player, he would flourish in our system and rip premier league defences to shreds

5.) 17 Dec 2013
Roberto has said he thinks January is a bad time to spend as you don't get a good value for players before, I think we'll spend 7-12mil, but that's a complete guess of course

6.) 17 Dec 2013
17 Dec 2013 09:41:46
i'd have to agree with maxamillion. the closest plyer style to messi I have seen. ball control and sheer skill in abundance. but we will not sign anyone for more than 10 mill. craighuytonblue