Targett was/has a pretty good relationship with Grealish. And Engels was at Brugge and was also linked with Brentford when Smith was still there.
Heaton & Guilbert I'm not sure about on the other hand
Also, I would be curious in possibly buddying up with Bremen through this transfer. I know this was speculated a bit with buying McGinn from Hibs, but I think it would be more advantageous to "link up" with a Bundesliga club. Would definitely be interested in sending them a few of our younger players if it might help them out. Very interested in possibly loaning them Davis or a few of our other players on first team break through paths.
The reaction from both sets of supporters (and forums) is very similar to that when we signed McGinn from Hibs. Definitely wouldn't mind having a friendly with them in the not too distant future.
Not quite sure if this was completely answered, or that we can give an exact valuation that the club has. Today, right now, on Transfermarkt he's valued at $26.40m. Which i think can give a good estimation for what the club might value him at.
Very risky appointment. Was just named their U-23 coach and didn't even have a game in charge. Zero managerial experience as well. But I can't help but like the risk.
Sheffield United were pretty solid defensively in the championship iirc which had them in good stead for the PL. Leeds on the other hand, will not have the same settled back line that they had in the championship. From what I read, most of them thought that Ben White was the most important part of the defense and he's back at Brighton. Liam Cooper is their only fit senior center back, and there will surely be questions of whether he can adapt to the PL (their other CB Berardi tore his ACL in the penultimate game of their season).
Can't really compare them to Newcastle, as they have a team of premier league players already.
I don't think they will be in trouble — provided they sign decent center backs and a striker who can actually score goals.
iirc he had agreed to go to club in China on a free last year and everything was agreed, then Real started asking for a transfer fee. I have a feeling that he hasn't forgotten that and is playing a role in his actions currently.
Origi. Would cost a fortune from Liverpool, and quite frankly judging from his performances as a starter, he's not good enough to be relied upon as the first choice #9
Some of the names off the top of my head: Jonathan David, Weghorst, Berardi (though he does play out wide as well), Volland, Ings (thou I think he's unrealistic), Edouard, Chalov, Dembele (again might be a tad unrealistic), and Watkins (even though only really "proven" at Championship level).
But they don't really score that often either. Ineanacho has 6 PL goals over the last 2 years and Origi has 7.
And yeah that's my last point. I just think there is much better value out there for money than those two.
I'm not sure exactly who I am expecting, but I would hope that we would be looking at someone who has proven they can score goals.
John Park! He has been a vital part of my fm scouting team .
He had been linked with Sunderland a year or two back but nothing ever materialized. Would definitely be a very good addition to our recruitment staff.