Since the JT saga began and dominated all CFC related news, the rumours on Pato/Aguero/A.N Other seem to have gone a bit cold, which is a bit boring.

Granted, we seem to be tying down a fair few of the squad to new deals, with Florent, Mikel, Didier and hopefully JT all signed up or about to be signed up, which is certainly good news.

And, understandably the US tour is also a big focus at present, but is this the silence before - WHAM - we annouce the marquee signing, or have we exhausted all avenues and are pretty much settling with what we have?

Edited July 22, 200915 yr by Tim

Well we're still waiting for this marquee signing, but I'm not sure whether we actually need any more players. The squad seems quite strong and we have strength in depth. Another wide right player would be good, especially with the decision to send Stoch out on loan, but other than that are we not set?

I'd agree on that, but I would like another wide player/forward and given Buck's comments it would seem a bit odd if we've ended our transfer activity now.

Still, IF Studge and Di Santo both show some seriously good pre-season form, then the striker situation will certainly be sorted. Early days though.

I was thinking the same thing myself today, Not heard anything in the gossip pages even. Maybe the board at waiting for the US tour to be over and the manger to have a better idea of what we need if anything. I would like to see another new face.

I think the Arnesen is looking every day for a suitable player. I would love us to sign a player who can raise media interest, hoping still on Aguero.

I hope we can get rid of our deadwood soon as well..

Even if the player isnt marquee, I still think one more signing who could play outside as a forward, up top, or pull the strings, would be helpful. Basically, just a creative player in case Joe is out longer than expected and Deco reverts to last years form.

Basically, a Robinho type of player. To me, that man is Aguero, but thats not realistic

I still hope for Giovinco but know it would have been done & dusted if that was the case.

I still hope for Giovinco but know it would have been done & dusted if that was the case.

I really doubt we've got any chance at signing Giovinco unless we offer to pay a huge amount of money for him. He's Juve's crown jewel. The next Del Piero. Ranieri received a lot of hate for not playing him regularly so just imagine what the reaction will be if the board sold him. The fans (including me) will ask for their heads on a plate cowered in cat piss.

I just caught this on a news feed, but it seems the story was pulled immediately.

John Terry to remain at Chelsea as Manchester City offers fail

Daily Telegraph — England captain John Terry has agreed in principle to stay at Chelsea and reject the chance to join Manchester City....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...ffers-fail.html

I'm still expecting someone else to join and probably a departure or two once the JT saga is settled

Edited July 22, 200915 yr by geezer

I think we're finished signing strikers. drogba, anelka, sturridge and di santo seems to me quite a good mix provided the main man (drogba) stays fit for most of the season. obviously aguero or pato would be fantastic but I think carlo has ruled out any more in that position.

to play his diamond we will need at least one more midfield player (IMO to play behind the strikers), and better yet two (the second to play the role deco has temporarily assumed this pre season). both positions are incredibly hard to sign for though, and I really can't see us being able to find what we need.

despite that, if we kept jt that'd be a good (but not great) window's business. probably not enough to win the league with the way carlo will try to get us playing, but competitive.

oh, and we need to look at shifting people now, the squad is 27 strong so about 4 or 5 should leave. personally I think the ideal squad is 18 established players plus 5 talented kids from the academy, but we're not there yet.

I'm actually wondering if we will sign anyone else. G4, in your opinion who would we sign, or who is available, in the role that Deco has found himself lately?

I still think that we are looking at a striker, and if we sign one we'll ship Di Santo off to Blackburn

I think the "marquee" signing will be our last move of the transfer window.

The trouble with "marquee" signings this summer is the transfer market has been completely distorted by Madrid. Clubs are demanding ridiculous money for players that we could have signed for 20-30 million in any other summer.

I've got a sinking feeling that we are going to end up signing Pirlo for way to much money than we should, as he's going to be the only "marquee" player we can get without spending 60 million quid.

I think the weakest position currently would be right wing, and I know some would disagree due to squad size but I had to pick one it would absolutely be Pato. If I had to choose a right wing player though I would personally choose Bastian Schweinsteiger.

We have a squad size of 27 now. If we buy that one player it will be 28. Carlo just stated somewhere that ideally it should be 23. That means 5 excess players. Sheva, pizarro, belletti, carvalho and maybe deco.. If we are not going to buy pirlo and carlo sees what he likes in deco, problem solved. I think one attacking player would be good addition. We could also get rid of kalou to make space for aguero etc..

Edited July 23, 200915 yr by evissy

After the Inter game, Carlo said he expected 4 or 5 out and possible 2 to 3 in. So I'd imagine our transfer business will happen when they get back from the US. I am still pinning my hopes on Aguero being one.

After the Inter game, Carlo said he expected 4 or 5 out and possible 2 to 3 in. So I'd imagine our transfer business will happen when they get back from the US. I am still pinning my hopes on Aguero being one.

27-4+2=25 still a bit big... He said he could live with 24-25 so it makes sense. We can always loan out someone come january.

I think 5 out 1(max. 2) in sounds more probable though. Hope it will include one marquee signing. Buck has said it out loud so he should work hard on that.

I'm actually wondering if we will sign anyone else. G4, in your opinion who would we sign, or who is available, in the role that Deco has found himself lately?

I still think that we are looking at a striker, and if we sign one we'll ship Di Santo off to Blackburn

no idea scott- diego went off to juve earlier in the window so he's out... there aren't very many of those players. I'd take eidur back on loan over nothing though (I'd take him back permanently in fact). I think ancelotti wanted ribery but that's probably out too. who knows? if deco played well and was fully fit last season there would be no debate. he wasn't though so we can't rely on him to be more than a squad player. hernanes is a good player as is hamsik, and both can pass but I reckon both are probably better where lampard / ballack etc play.

the di santo link has gone cold. now we know what system we will probably be playing it's not such a big deal- shifting kalou, sheva and pizarro leaves us with 4 for 2 places.

We must be looking at signing a right-wing player. Otherwise it would have made no sense to shift Stoch out to FC Twente. Unless he's planning on sticking Anelka out there again then I figure he must be looking at signing a right winger.

We must be looking at signing a right-wing player. Otherwise it would have made no sense to shift Stoch out to FC Twente. Unless he's planning on sticking Anelka out there again then I figure he must be looking at signing a right winger.

I think we will go for Young because he can play on both wings and behind the strikers, for the "marquee" signing i am stil hoping Carlo opts for Aguero

I really doubt we've got any chance at signing Giovinco unless we offer to pay a huge amount of money for him. He's Juve's crown jewel. The next Del Piero. Ranieri received a lot of hate for not playing him regularly so just imagine what the reaction will be if the board sold him. The fans (including me) will ask for their heads on a plate cowered in cat piss.

he's exactly the type of player we need and if Carlo has asked the question, then the club should back him and go out and bully Juve into submission, or maybe just make a decent offer.

would love to see him at The Bridge

the aguero rumours all stopped very abruptly, heres hoping there is something going on behind the scenes

he's exactly the type of player we need and if Carlo has asked the question, then the club should back him and go out and bully Juve into submission, or maybe just make a decent offer.

would love to see him at The Bridge

he's good, and could be very good, but it amuses me how no-one spoke about him until we played juve and he came off the bench and looked lively. makes me think people on this site are basing their opinions of him on about 30 minutes of football.

he's very promising, has great balance, great at dribbling... not sure if he's ready to start for a big club or if he's a good enough passer yet. I think we need a player ready to take the strain and responsibility of playing reguarly (juve have just signed diego incidentally). givinco is roughly at the same stage of development as joe cole was when we first joined him.

i agree with most on the forum in that we dont really need to sign another striker and that we need another winger.. Drogba, Anelka, Di Santo and Sturridge are imo a great mixture of experience and youth and another striker would just hinder playing time for Di Santo and Sturridge.. and for the other winger a name that springs to mind is Ashley Young who doesnt seem rated atall on here and although he plays on the left for villa i think with the right coaching he could be just as effective on the right..

I think we will go for Young

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO