OP said we would lose Mcginn, Hause, Mings and Grealish if we didn’t go up.
I don’t think those that joined did so on the condition we must go up this season.
So my point was just because we don’t go up it doesn’t mean we will not be able to attract players of this type quality anymore.
Wolves were proof of that. Costa, Carvello , Bennet and Coady stayed whilst Neves, Jota and Boli joined. (Agree 2 on loan with option to buy but all three new additions could easily have gone straight to a premier league club).
Even though they faced relegation the season before they could still attract this kind of talent because a) they could afford to pay them and b) they could convince them they would get promoted.
Why can’t we do the same?
edit: I just realised I missed out the word ‘ ‘before’ on my previous post so can see why it didn’t make sense