Transfer Rumours Rumours, goss 'n tosh - Jan 2020

https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1616693292/norwich-concreet-voor-ajacied-sven-botman

Translation:
Ajax must make a decision earlier than planned about the future of Sven Botman (19). Norwich City has registered in Amsterdam for the talented center defender, who is now rented out to SC Heerenveen. The English want to take over the youth international immediately.
With that, the Premier League club poses Marc Overmars for a difficult choice. Initially, the intention was to follow Botman's development closely. After the rental period to the Frisians, it could then be assessed whether the defender would be good enough for Ajax 1 in the long term. Recently, Overmars and head scout Henk Veldmate visited SC Heerenveen-Willem II to see Botman live. Due to the interest from England, Botman will sooner want to know what route Ajax wants to go with him and - more importantly - whether Erik ten Hag sees it in him. The Badhoevedorper is under contract with Ajax for another two years, which, however, cannot claim the top prize for him. Botman still has a youth contract. At Norwich City, where goalkeeper Tim Krul is also under contract, there is a much more lucrative and longer commitment for Botman. Botman, who is celebrating his twentieth birthday on Sunday, this season saw 18 Eredivisie games for SC Heerenveen. He scored twice and delivered four assists. He is currently training camp with his teammates in Spain.

 

While it suggests that Idah is ready to take a first team place, Drmić's injury record isn't reassuring and another injury to Pukki could leave us with Idah as the only option. We surely have enough money for a striker loan to replace Srbeny and still bring in CB cover and a replacement for Roberts. Just what are we saving all this PL money for?

 

I think it's a really tough decision. We started the season with 3 strikers + Idah who was being assessed, and by the sounds of it until the last week or so there were still plans to find him a loan. He's impressed enough that he's taken that third choice striker spot from Srbeny. If the club were comfortable enough in August with 3 striking options, they may well be now.

The injury situation complicates things short-term, but Pukki hasn't been injury prone in the past, and in 2 weeks we could/should have all our strikers fit.

If you bring in a 4th, what do you bring in? We can't offer significant game time, Pukki will play every minute he's fit for and Drmic/Idah deserve chances. The club have said before they aren't interested in a big man for route 1, 90th minute hail-Mary moments, so you're left looking for someone who plays like our other strikers, is good enough to play, but happy to sit on the bench too. And doesn't cost the earth.

For me, I think we wait for Sheffield Wednesday to realise that their salary demands for a Rhodes loan are unrealistic, and move late in the window when their price drops. He's a free agent this summer, and we know he fits in here, and wouldn't have a problem with a bench role. Come the end of the season, we know which league we're in, and Rhodes is out of contract. Signing him permanently as a championship side would make sense.

In terms of budget, given the £13m bids we were making for Claude-Maurice, I think we might have £15m available for transfer fees, plus wages for 2-3 players. For me, I'd prioritise a CB and versatile attacking midfielder over a fourth striker.

 

Ondrej Duda, anyone?

Benedikt Duda
@benediktduda
#HerthaBSC hat nach
@Transfermarkt
-Infos mit #NorwichCity einen Abnehmer für Ondrej #Duda gefunden! #hahohe#Hertha
Translated from German by
#HerthaBSC has after
@Transfermarkt
-Info with #NorwichCity a customer for Ondrej #Duda found! #hahohe#Hertha

Apparently has a desire to leave: https://bulinews.com/news/4212/ondrej-duda-confirms-desire-leave-hertha

25 year old attacking midfielder. 11 goals, 7 assists in the Bundesliga last season.

 

I'm not 100% convinced we should be pinning our back-up hopes on Drmic as a reliable stand in for Teemu - he is cut from the same cloth as Jarvis/Thompson and may not be the solution. Idah certainly is an option and I'd like to see him given a chance on Saturday but to go into what is an extremely important part of the season with just Teemu and Idah as strikers is risky to me.

Our buying/loaning priorities this January should be a CB and a striker - not that bothered about replacing Roberts to be honest.

 

No idea if there's any substance in this - confirmation content to follow

 

https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/...rtha-berlin-s-slovakia-rising-star-513730.jsp

Paddy Davitt believes there's genuine interest, but it would be on loan and there's no deal complete yet.

 

Michael Preetz just confirmed. Ondrej Duda will be loaned to Norwich City until the end of the season. There is no purchase option @. #hahohe

Preeti is general manager of the club.

 

You make a good argument DH. It could also be that SW and DH want to give Idah another shot at Old Trafford and at Burnley in the cup then decide about whether we need another striker and send Idah out on loan. If Idah does stay as the third striker I'm ok with that. The money we have could then be prioritised for a CB and AM to replace Roberts. As for replacing Heise, it could be that Byram is now considered sufficient cover on both sides. McLean can also cover at LB if need be.

 

This is an exciting signing, as he scored 11 goals in 32 matches last season in the Bundesliga. He is primarily an AM but can also play WR or CM. At 25, he is well experienced at the top level and could bring a new dimension to the rest of our season. TransferMarkt values him at £13m.

 

Interesting, if there is an area of the pitch that doesn't seem short it is the attacking midfield areas. I suppose with Steipermann having struggled a bit and McLean OK at AM, maybe he could improve us.
Todd/Onel - Duda/Emi - Emi/Duda

Bah!

 

Though our attacking midfielders have done reasonably well so far, AM might be the exception. IMO, Stiepermann has struggled so far, though he has had his moments. DF has experimented with Srbeny in that role, then with McLean with some success, but I suspect he's looking for more. With 11 goals and 6 assists last season Duda seems to offer something new, given that other than Cantwell, our midfield has only contributed 3 goals so far. Hopefully Duda can change that.

 

I believe the CAM position has currently contributed 1 goal, 1 assist so far this season.

 

If he does sign or has signed on loan for City, hope he gets more matches than Roberts did, if he's good enough

 

Roberts, for me, is a shoo-in for the NCFC "never quite made it while on loan" eleven.
Along with Felix Passlack, Luciano Becchio, Harry Kane (?).......... who else qualifies?

 

Wonder if this potential loan signing is a real dude eh?

 

If that is McLean's headed goal against ManCity, he was playing at CM alongside Tettey in that game. I'm pretty sure we haven't had any goals from CAM this season.

 

He's already got a ready-made song:

"The Camptown ladies sing this song doodah doodah"

 

I like what I've read about Duda. He defends as well as attacks. And he was on the outs with Klinsmann; that's a point in his favor.
Wish he had a little more pace.