01 Jan 2014 11:02:10
A very happy new year to everyone

So with the hangover comes the first day of a new transfer window and our hopes and expectations raised again. My hopes are for two players this window, a left back and a top midfield player plus Moyes to jettison a couple of those whose wages are not warranted. We are all playing the who guessing game at the moment but a couple of thoughts on this.
Baines is undoubtedly a good player yet is now 29 and Everton flush with the ridiculous overpayment for Fellaini may not be desperate for cash so will want far more than is warranted for a 29 year old left back even if he is English. Often we want the player to agitate for the move yet Baines did not do that in summer, so I believe it would be madness to pay over the odds. I would rather pay more for Shaw or even the £12.5m Madrid are rumoured to want for Coentrau. Coentrau nearly arrived on loan so we know he was interested in playing for us.
Top quality midfield addition is difficult particularly in January yet money talks. Well money talks if we had owners prepared to go out on a limb. We would like a Gundogen or Koke or both ideally but are we more likely to go down the road of a £15m deal for a Ribeiro type because otherwise the January outlay would make reading the year end accounts in June slightly unpleasant?
So Ribiero and Coentrau makes more financial sense if you are the owners but for now we can dream of a true top player arriving in our midfield. I would be happy with Coentrau but happier with Shaw; Baines only if the fee is around the £12m to £14m mark especially given he only has 18 months on his contract.

Finally we should keep an eye on the RVP situation, I see the Juventus chairman say he "knows" RVP is unhappy and that maybe so. However we cannot let him go without buying a top replacement. The thing with RVP is that he isn't blessed with pace and at 30 may may want a last go abroad where pace isn't as essential in some leagues. I doubt he would go in January yet there is a nagging worry after seeing his demeanour when he last played. Just because Welbeck has a couple of decent games does not make him more than a squad player, welcome though his form has been. Yet ask yourselves if RVP forced a move, we got a good fee then bought a Costa level player as well as the two we obviously need would that put the fear back into opponents?
Ah the joys of the transfer window, the last one started with Woodwards famous no retooling comment and ever since it closed Moyes has indicated a major rebuilding project. We showed a dramatic lack of ambition in the last window and now the Moyes Woodward show starts again.

1.) 01 Jan 2014
Red Man, I have no doubt RvP is unhappy. There is simply too much evidence to suggest otherwise. Hopefully it can be sorted out so all parties are happy. I think Moyes needs to let certain players train the way they need to train. By all means do the horseshoe with the youngsters, but Vidic, Carrick & RvP should manage their own bodies to avoid injury.

I think there is every chance of Coentrao considering he nearly joined on loan and his RM contract talks have stalled (I think). I still think Moyes will waste a few weeks on trying to sign Baines again, I hope that doesn't lead to us missing out on Coentrao. I hope we sign Koke, but I think it will be difficult to say the least.

Well happy new year to you and everyone else. Roast beef for me today, what's everyone else having?

2.) 01 Jan 2014
Thinks it's Italian footballer and now TV presenter Massimo Brambati and not the Juve president who "knows" RVP is unhappy.

3.) 01 Jan 2014
Happy New Year Red Man, good post.

The are too many rumours circulating about RVP being unhappy for them not to have legs so as you say, it will be interesting to see what happens.

I agree about Baines, the cost will be too high for a 29 year old. I'd pay what is necessary for Shaw.

Given the debacle in the summer and the need for some rebuilding it is essential that we don't make any more mistakes; let's be honest, right now Fellaini looks like an overpriced squad player. There's great noises coming out about big names and major signings but we need action now, not words,

4.) 01 Jan 2014
AJH

I agree we need signings but the reality is not many will be available or would want to switch clubs with the world cup coming up. The guys who will want a change are those who are not getting much game time and have aspirations of making a good showing to get into their respective countries squad. The only problem is unless they play for a massive team loaded with talent, you have to wonder why they are not playing and sitting on the bench.

I think the safest bet is buying domestically but not many teams are sellers of top players as everyone has some form of ambition or not in need of funds and no desire to sell i.e. Southampton

I think the summer is a lot more realistic in terms of major signings even at the domestic level as many will realize they are not good enough to achieve what they are aspiring to do and need to retool and sell.

5.) 01 Jan 2014
@Red Man

Agree with a lot of it. Although I think you too understand that getting players like Koke who are having an excellent season domestically will be nearly impossible, considering its a world cup year too. He won't want to risk his chances. Same with Gundogan. The summer is more likely although i'm hoping we can get someone of that quality right now.

I don't rate Ribero highly and he talks a bit too much for my liking.

Agree on Coentrao, again if we want to get Shaw, again like Koke, the summer is when it will be possible. Not now.

Also, about RVP, what I have heard is that he was initially unhappy, yet him and Moyes have cleared the air now and he is being allowed to train his own way. He just got caught up with the huge change, just like a lot of others.

I hope RVP stays, although if he is about to leave, rather than Costa, maybe Lewandowski could be an option if Bayern's interest has moved on elsewhere.