Some people have completely lost there heads in here, bit of money has come in to the club and people seem to think genuine champions league quality players are just going to jump at the chance to come here when in all likelihood we are going to miss out on europe this season unless we pick up some consistency at home.
This summer i wouldn't expect anything more than tying down our bigger players to long term contracts, a new GK and a natural left sided player. There is defo other areas that need strengthening but we all know Martinez will be blinded to the drop offs players like Barry, Jags could potentially have with getting on.
If there is any other money invested by the summer id expect to hear about a new stadium, improvements to facilities for the club and clearing any left over debts, can see it taking a season or 2 before we look into hefty transfers but even then unless we get europe people might aswell forget these fm fantasy names they are throwing about.
I know you've said potentially, but there is literally no evidence of that happening any time soon.
We also have, currently, natural replacements for them both (e.g. Besic).
This squad really doesn't need much more than, as you said, a goalkeeper (either first choice or very good and experienced back up depending on how Joel does for the rest of this campaign) and probably a playmaker for the left wing and back up right back - but without Europe it's hard to get a squad that has that depth as players just don't get the game time.
I'd imagine we'll definitely see a few leave in the summer - Mirallas, Kone, Howard, Osman, Pienaar - and then potentially one of our main stars (Rom/Stones - Del and Barks will stay). It will only be one if it happens though and we'll be getting £50mil at least.
You've nailed it in general though.
The '£100mil transfer fund' is just a headline used for click bait - e.g. transfer rumours sell papers.
Let's say the '£100m' figure is true - and it's an investment in the club:
I see it as...
- We have circa £30mil debt. I'd imagine the priority will be an investment to wipe away the majority (if not all) of that.
- Long term contract offers to Barkley, Stones, Coleman and perhaps even Rom and Del.
- Plans etc for a new stadium
- Hefty investment in commercial and corporate performance (which is the big one and goes hand in hand with stadium build/redevelopment)
The rest would then be put towards signings, I'd imagine - and of course combine that with the TV money.
Basically, the main benefit from this apart from the above list is that, if we do sell Stones or Rom, then we can be certain that we will get all of that money that they go for to invest back into the squad, rather than using a lot of the cash to plug gaps elsewhere.
