I have to say, if we keep Barkley I'd be as happy than if we went for some of the names at Centre forward. It would allow lads like Rooney and Sandro to play exclusively down the middle and at times possible Sigursson and Klaasen too. I am not overly concerned with our attacking options. You also have Mirallas if he stays (but if a bid came in I'd love him go irrespective) as well as the Croation lad, Calvert Lewin and Lookman as younger players keen to make an impression. For me that is significant numbers and we are by no means as short as we were last season.
There are two issues with this. Firstly it lacks a standout player like Lukaku. I don't think we could ever have attracted a lad of his calibre. We have to gamble on lots of lads upping goal tallies which I think is very possible. The bigger concern though is that the balance may be wrong, or at least it may not be what the manager wants. Numbers wise we look fine, but he has consistently said he wants an experienced target man. I wonder what the implications of failing to deliver on a key demand he has for a second season running are?
Also at the back we look far more stretched to me. Missing out on a centre back would be a bigger concern for me. I'm amazed we haven't looked to add another quality centre back, someone like Ben Gibson for example, or De Vrij.
