2023/2024 Forwards Rumours Thread

[El Matador]

I really hope we get Sesko, the rest really sound trash. Even Zirkzee.

I know it’s wishful thinking, but its literally the only good one available

 

[ADRossi]

I really hope we get Sesko, the rest really sound trash. Even Zirkzee.

I know it’s wishful thinking, but its literally the only good one available

Why is Zirkzee trash?

 

[El Matador]

Why is Zirkzee trash?

He played as a striker for the third place team in Serie A. Started 32 Games, Scored only 11 Goals. Not exactly prolific.

He turns 23 this month, so I can’t give him the “Still raw” excuse. He doesn’t have any special attribute like lethal finishing or electric pace.

I don’t want to be too negative, i never said he’s a bad player. It just sounds like a bad fit for us. he’s great at holding the ball up, using his size, dribbling and taking his man on. But is that enough to decide games? Does that offer us something we don’t have? Lautaro is a very similar player and more prolific. Ironically Lautaro only recently became prolific, so this is a case on Zirkzee’s side. But either way is he going to add something different? Maybe size.

 

[Damageplan]

Sesko has 13 goals in Bundesliga... how is he so much better than Zirkzee ?

 

[El Matador]

Sesko has 13 goals in Bundesliga... how is he so much better than Zirkzee ?

- He‘s 3 years younger
- Has 17 in all comp
- 13 is still more than Zirkzee
- Fast
- Aerial Ability
- Scored 16 the year before in the austrian league
- Played 8 matches in the ucl this season (2 goals)
- Overall has the skillset and attributes to become a world class player

The last time I ever felt strongly about a player and you can look this up was Isak when he had 8 goals only in La Liga you can fact check me. Look at him now. There are players that simply are special. Sesko is one of them.

 

[Hikonyán]

There is zero chance Inter are getting Sesko, he is going to the EPL with 99% certainty, if he moves this summer.

There were rumours we were interested in him last summer, but now its definitely too late with so much focus on him.

Can see Arsenal going for him, they need a striker.

 

[El Matador]

Yeah I know we can’t get him. It’s unfortunate, but spending 40 Million on the players we’re linked with is a waste. If we want to make an investment in this position then at least make the right one.

Artem Dovbyk was reported to have a 40 Million release clause. I’d rather go for him if we can’t get Sesko.

20 League goals this season
24 the year before

 

[wera]

We have Lautaro and Taremi to score goals. The only problem with Zirkzee coming here is that he would play less because of how big Thuram is for us.

Zirkzee is exactly the type of player we need to go for.

 

[El Matador]

We have Lautaro and Taremi to score goals. The only problem with Zirkzee coming here is that he would play less because of how big Thuram is for us.

Zirkzee is exactly the type of player we need to go for.

Go watch Atletico vs Inter and see who got all the big chances.

We have two strikers, Lautaro is great at dropping deep and linking up play so it’s not shocking that the fair share of chances dropped for thuram in that tie.

 

[CraigM]

What Zirkzee would offer is something a bit different in style to what is there at the moment. He does seem to be more of a between the lines striker who can drop deep and collect the ball in spaces where Lautaro and Thuram don't excel. Interest in that sort of player is not exactly new - that's what Dybala does of course and Samaradzic similar though he is coming from midfield into those spaces rather than dropping into them from attack.

It's broadly hypothetical as whenever there is a player who attracts cash-rich clubs like the Dutchman has, Inter just cannot compete with their loan-before-buying offers.

 

[wera]

the problem is that we won't have enough money to replace Dumfries and also get Zirkzee

I'm still worried Barella or Bastoni gets sold

 

[DARi0]

I don’t want to be too negative, i never said he’s a bad player. It just sounds like a bad fit for us.

LOL you wrote he's trash

Can see Arsenal going for him, they need a striker.

Yeah, Arsenal will probably sign Sesko or Zirkzee

Zirkzee has a €40m clause in his contract with Bologna and it is valid for all clubs, not only Bayern Munich.

The Bavarians are also entitled to a 45% sell-on clause, meaning Bologna will earn just €21m from Zirkzee’s sale this summer.

Zirkzee’s agent, Joorabchian, is plotting a summer move to Arsenal for the Bologna striker, and if it were only up to him, the Dutchman would sign for the Gunners, Il Corriere dello Sport reports.

The Italian newspaper claims Joorabchian is a close friend of Arsenal director Edu, so he is pushing his client to the Emirates Stadium.

According to the report, Zirkzee would be happy to remain in Serie A for at least one more season to continue his development, but his agent seems to have other ideas.

His agent is Kia

 

[Radurizan25]

the problem is that we won't have enough money to replace Dumfries and also get Zirkzee

I'm still worried Barella or Bastoni gets sold

Barella renewed his contract and seems unlikely. Bastoni i dont think he will leave

 

[El Matador]

LOL you wrote he's trash


Yeah, Arsenal will probably sign Sesko or Zirkzee


Zirkzee’s agent, Joorabchian, is plotting a summer move to Arsenal for the Bologna striker, and if it were only up to him, the Dutchman would sign for the Gunners, Il Corriere dello Sport reports.

His agent is Kia

We’re in 2024 people still write LOL

Read what I said, signing Zirkzee sounds trash and Zirkzee is trash are two different things. Signing Bruno Fernandes for instance also sounds trash. Why spend money on a position we’re very well equipped in.

Zirkzee is redundant in our line up with Lautaro in it and I will stand by it

 

[CafeCordoba]

Yeah we have funds for Zirkzee only in a case we sell Lautaro or Thuram. Two of our starting strikers. So it doesn't make much sense.

 

[wera]

Also why would Zirkzee go to be on the bench at Inter if he can start elsewhere. With Taremi, he knows he won't start most matches and he is okay with that.

Zirkzee probably wants to start, but with Thuram here, I doubt it.


So it's going to be Lautaro, Thuram, Taremi and Arnautović, I think.

Better to spend the money to get a more dynamic RWB

 

[RickyMaravilla'sRightFoot]

Better to spend the money to get a more dynamic RWB

Yeah and more cost effective too.

I appreciate Denzel, but if we can upgrade on him, now would be the time.

 

[Kova10]

Yeah and more cost effective too.

I appreciate Denzel, but if we can upgrade on him, now would be the time.

Yes, for example if we are ready to spend 40mio., Frimpong would be available at that sum. Although my favorite one considering all dynamics would be Di Lorenzo.

 

[El Matador]

Like I said before, I have nothing against Zirkzee.

The biggest issue is that we play with two forwards only. We don’t have wingers to add variety to our attack with pace, dribbling and chance creation. So it’s a massive issue if our two forwards can’t compliment each other. Whichever striker we sign has to make up for Lautaro’s limitations and add a new element to the attack. This is why it worked in the past with Thuram and Lukaku but failed with Dzeko.

Although we have Thuram, he himself is very limited. He doesn’t stand out at anything. He’s not the fastest nor is he someone who can take on 2-3 Players. Most importantly he’s not clinical at all. I can name many massive chances where Thuram missed easy opportunities in big games.
That being said, I’d love to keep Thuram here. Actually it’s important to keep him here.

If the new striker, Lautaro, or Thuram get injured we’re left with the issue of having to start one of Taremi and Arnautovic and honestly I dread that. Suddenly we’re very weak in the attack.

We must have three starting calibre strikers.

 

[Hikonyán]

Also why would Zirkzee go to be on the bench at Inter if he can start elsewhere. With Taremi, he knows he won't start most matches and he is okay with that.

Zirkzee probably wants to start, but with Thuram here, I doubt it.


So it's going to be Lautaro, Thuram, Taremi and Arnautović, I think.

There are going to be more CL games next season + the club world cup, more rotation will be needed.

Going into next season hoping Lautaro and Thuram will perform all season long is straight up insanity. Having only a unknown quantity (and imo likely huge failure) in a big league in Taremi and a serie B quality player in arnautovic wont cut it at all.

Lautaro and Thuram had great first halves of the season this season, but their performances dropped tremendously in the second half, surely lack of rotation plays a role here.

So more games next season + the need for more rotation with quality = need for a quality 3rd choice forward.

Lets not also pretend Thuram is some irreplacable world beater, some competition, from a younger and more talented player, for his starting role would likely benefit him.

We need 5 forwards next season, 3 good ones (lautaro, thuram and mr.X), Taremi 4th choice and then a fringe 5th forward who should be Arnautovic if he stays.