16 Aug 2022 19:15:17
Obviously, we need a striker for the here and now, whoever that may be, but come this time next year we could be left with 3 strikers when Silva returns.
Does that mean that the signing needs to be just a loan, a loan with an option to buy, or an outright purchase? Or does it all come down to Raul's future in the medium to long term because no top striker is going to want to warm the bench for too long?
16 Aug 2022 20:43:38
I've been thinking the same LM. I think that Raul will have another season with us while a younger striker settles in and when Fabio returns, depending on how he's done, Raul could be moved on.
16 Aug 2022 21:23:28
It's an interesting dilemma longmynd. The loan buy suggested for ramos may give a clue or simply that we don't want to pay up front. Raul sadly has not been his best striker wise since his injury and he's not getting younger. Maybe it's raul for the bench and see how the season goes with fabio coming back as back up next year. If we don't get ramos then ched Adams as been mooted, whether this would be in response to Southampton interest in ramos or not who knows. The journos are also linking us to others who names I won't try to spell, but it could well be a surprise under the radar. A loan and see maybe the way tho, and an emotional gradual farewell to jiminez.
16 Aug 2022 21:52:24
If it is Ramos then we won't be saying goodbye to Raul anytime soon because he is in similar vein to Silva, ie still learning his trade on the job. I've been watching this season's Benfica games for obvious reasons and that's the clear situation. Maybe therefore there will be a left field signing unless we get two!
17 Aug 2022 10:48:42
A little bit ahead of fabio I would suggest old wolf. From what I've looked at (limited and highlights admittedly) he looks faster, tougher,in better positions and can head a ball.
17 Aug 2022 12:57:39
Great and positive thread. I hope we sign a top quality ready to play now striker to compete with Jimenez and then we can see where we are in 1 year's time when Silva returns. Hopefully Silva will have a fantastic loan and be "ready" and Jimenez will be back to his former self firing on all cylinders so with our "new" striker also top Prem quality we will have options and riches - a problem but oh what a problem. We can dream?!