22 May 2026 10:55:29
Ok Trickies, a bit of outside the club analysis not based on rumours.
Let's say we might have to sell one of our core "best players" to fund a new striker and avoid PSR rules. Not interested in the "we MUST keep our best players" thing. I mean if we absolutely HAVE TO sell one of them.
Murillo
One of the best ball playing left-sided CBs in world football. The kind of player who makes the difference between a solid back line and a world-class one.
Anderson
International standard player going to the World Cup.
Gibbs-White
One of the best industrious goal scoring attacking midfielders in the league. Would likely cost as much as we get to replace him.
Pros and cons as I see it are. MGW and Ando would make a lot less money for the club as they weren't actually that cheap to sign. Murillo cost peanuts so would be nearly all profit. Financially, the sale of Murillo makes a lot of sense.
Replaceability?
We can't buy a replacement for Murillo of the same level but could get a very good left-sided CB. Anderson is not irreplaceable, but really important player. A player who can score the same number of goals/assists as MGW would cost £100M unless we're lucky. MGW, is our main man and
What the players want?
Anderson might want out, based on the number of stories (although it could be other clubs seeding the stories to unsettle him. I think Murillo would stay to play every week but is likely to be open to playing for a European elite club. Same for MGW in my opinion.
My opinion
If Anderson and MGW can be persuaded to stay then it makes financial sense to replace Murillo and make a bigger profit.
Selling Murillo for 75M would bring in more money than £100M for Anderson or MGW due to their higher fees and both Anderson and MGW would cost more to replace. Spend the profit on a striker.
1.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 13:08:42
As you said, mate, Murillo is irreplaceable, MGW can definitely be described as the same. That leaves Anderson, unfortunately, imo, great player, who is only going to get better. But if one has to go he's the one who can be replaced.
Just look at Xhaka up at Sunderland, if he could learn to calm down on the ball maybe we have a ready-made replacement already in our Club Captain. ?
2.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 13:35:48
Excellent post, RedCyclist. I suppose the question is how much the club needs to find regarding PSR. Unfortunately, I think Anderson will go, especially if he has a good World Cup. But, looking at the squad, I’m not convinced. MGW might stay, but can be replaced. Murillo would be a great loss, but he hasn’t made the Brazilian team, so he is not in the international shop window.
But, let’s look at the other players who could make the money for us. Moratto, Sangare and even Awoniyi have been mentioned as having offers made, and also Ndoye. But, in reality, if they want to go, then sell them. I don’t want to see a repeat of the MGW shambles of last season. It took him till Xmas to get his head back into the game.
3.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 14:44:04
You have to consider what the player cost vs what they sell for too.
Sangare cost £30M, so we'd have to get £80M to make £50.
Morato cost £5M, what are we going to make?
Awoniyi cost over £20M, didn't he?
I don't think we are forced to sell one of the big 3.
I think, if we want to spend big on a striker, then we will have to. Just an educated hunch. Wood is getting on, and we need another striker, and they aren't cheap.
4.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 15:38:01
Yes, Cyclist, didn't look at it that way. I agree, selling Murillo would make sense and give us the maximum profit. It's just finding a replacement. Then there is the Wood situation, been out for a large chunk of the season, and he's not getting any younger. Either way, it's going to cost. Just hope VP has replacements ready to go. Good post, Cyclist.
5.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 16:47:48
Take into account the depreciation on the players. A 30mil signing on a 5 year deal loses 6mil value a year on our books. If we get 30mil for said player in his last year, it would equate to a 24mil profit on the books.
Sure, I'm right, but someone with a few more brain cells may correct me.
6.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 19:39:41
Just looked it up: between EUR18.3 million and EUR20.0 million, so £15-17. Bargain. ?
7.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 19:36:51
Realistically how much would a 30 year old Ivan Toney cost? I'd forget all about him playing out in the Saudi backwaters. Definitely worth consideration. ?
8.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 20:11:04
A king's ransom in wages, and there lies the problem.
9.) 22 May 2026
22 May 2026 23:23:19
I'd still take him, save on the transfer fee and pay it in wages. Proven Premier League striker. At least, it wouldn't be a gamble, because most players from abroad take time to settle. ?
10.) 23 May 2026
23 May 2026 10:55:43
We won't sign a 30-year-old.
We're only looking at young players with a sell-on.