Matthew Le God

The players he is competing with to start (Downes and Charles) also cost over £10m. £18m and £15m respectively.

Leo Scienza left winger Caspar Jander central midfielder Tom Fellows right winger Finn Azaz number 10 Means we'll likely see a switch to 4231

Our chief scout Tim Lederer is German

Yes

"Southampton & Rizespor have made €4m offers for Fiorentina winger Jonathan Ikone (27) — Saints currently have the advantage"

A 40% reduction of the figure you used isn't £28k

Not after a 40% relegation wage cut he won't!

He won't be negotiating them, but he'll be involved in the selection of targets.

This'll be interesting...

Yes

Read it in the context of what my post was replying to.

Have we seen him there in a 4231? With three attacking players supporting him (Fellow, Azaz & Robinson) he'd have more support than in some of the other systems we've used. Especially if Finn Azaz is close by in the number 10 role.

I don't think we'll sign another centre back. We have five good enough for the Championship (after a promotion, it wouldn't be). That is when additions will be needed. Signing a player based on seeing one game isn't a good idea.

Johannes Spors at the fan forum did talk about a balancing act of how much you spend. In that you need to spend enough to get promoted, but if you hold back some, it helps your spending power when you want to sign PL level players after a promotion. If we just blew all the incoming money now on signings that are at a level where they want the Championship, it leaves us with less to work with next season when we might need a huge outlay to stay up.

Not really any need, they wouldn't get much and he is a capable back-up Championship level player. Might as well use him as back-up for a season, let him leave for free and then sign a PL level right back if we get promoted.

The Athletic journalists are generally pretty reliable.

James Bree is fine as a backup in the Championship. Then, after a promotion we sign a new right back and Mads Roerslev becomes the back up.

I love it when a squad comes together! Azaz, Jander & Fellows 😇

He is good on FM26

Yes

Jumping to conclusions @trousers

Our chief scout Tim Lederer, worked at Hoffenheim last season. Johannes Spors will also know the German market.

Sky Sports News say £42m

Sky Sports News say £42m

Blackmore say it is more than £40m