SambaMaverick

What's wrong with the finances? I'm not arguing the contrary, just asking because I'm not at all clued up. I would've thought getting the capital from a reputable source like Ares would highlight the "legitimacy" of the deal and the team behind it.

Yeah, because Gao looked a whole lot better on paper... PL came down on him like a ton of bricks... :/ :S

From looking at the stats, reading up about the type of player he is and looking at how highly-rated he is in France, it's clear that Sangare would be the best option to fill the void left by Hojbjerg. They share the same inconsistencies in passing accuracy and lapses in concentration giving the ball away, but Sangare is a player who will look to break lines and provide a killer pass or a progressive move forwards a lot more than the lumbering Romeu that we are currently stuck with - seems to have a lot more about him in the tackle as well (less of a yellow card magnet). It's a yes from me, and it's a relatively risk free move for the mooted £7m - with low wages to boot. I've also posted Tom Davies' numbers for last season for the #lolz, would have been a bit of a coup after his breakthrough as a nipper but seems to have had all individuality and promise completely whitewashed by the revolving manager circus at Goodison.

Kicker and Bild in particular are tabloid trash. Not reputable sources.

We could do a whole lot worse than Emi Martinez in goal if he's not happy sitting back on the bench when Leno comes back - has been mighty impressive as a stand-in. Full Argentina international as well.

Cantwell for sure. Comes with the English premium but we can use that to our advantage when we inevitably look to sell. An improvement on Boufal and less than an out-and-out winger than Sofiane as well, which fits the system. Speaking of Boufal, can anyone see Ralph keeping him around next season - he certainly looks to have blown his last chance here. Unlikely to happen without selling some deadwood though, as Norwich's head honcho has slapped a £20m price tag on all of their promising players. Not a fan of any of Villa or Bournemouth's talent, save for Grealish and Brooks who will go for prices well out of our league and become the next Jack Rodwell and Fabian Delph, wasting their talent to make up the home-grown numbers.