Sell Maguire to fund Tielemans move

Overpaying is unfortunately what you have to do sometimes. We aren’t talking about putting the club in administration here - I think some of us are still thinking back to the days of Peter Taylor. But I’d rather overpay to get top quality than do what we have done so often since the title win - overpay to get poor quality

I think Leicester might struggle to get big money for Maguire. Even we baulked at it last summer.

I think there are two propositions here that are slightly incompatible: we should sell Maguire to fund Tielemans; we are an ambitious club pushing for top six.

I think the suggestion isn’t necessarily a bad one. If we did manage to get silly money for Maguire and ended up with Tielemans and a couple of other good signings we’d have had a good summer. In terms of what we really need then YT is ahead of Harry who is perhaps still overrated a little after the last world cup.

The fact that we’d have to wheel and deal like this to get a squad that is anything like capable of pushing us on that bit closer to the top six, however, is a statement in itself. This might appear a bit negative, but I think it’s precisely indicative of why we’re not a club with serious ambition to break into the top six. If we were we’d keep both.

The clubs immediately ahead of us are: Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs. Competing with clubs like this is as much about perception as it is about money. When Man City broke through that glass ceiling they threw multi-millions of pounds on statement signings. The Robinho purchase immediately after their takeover wasn’t about the player – it was a statement of intent. It was saying to players, agents and other teams that a new club was about to be competing alongside them. Chelsea did a similar thing, but not quite so dramatically.

Leicester City’s owners have been brilliant. They’ve transformed a team who were missing out on players to clubs like Brighton and QPR just a few seasons ago. But ready to challenge those clubs mentioned for a top six berth? Probably only by selling our best players for big money and then re-investing in the overall squad as is the suggestion here but, for the reasons Dunge alluded to, it’s a high risk strategy. Our re-investment would have to be spot on to seriously challenge the top six and, as we know, we’ve got a bit of a mixed record in that area.

If we actually got the opportunity to fund the purchase of Tielemans through selling Maguire, (and wages aren’t unreasonable) then I’d take it. My fear is that we’d be forced into a situation where we’re trying too hard to engineer it. I want Tielemans, but not to the extent where we damage our longer-term strategy in the process.

Ultimately, if there are too many stumbling blocks in the way then we have to look elsewhere, and early enough for the business to be good. Otherwise we end up with Rachid Ghezzal the Second.

comment by Jobyfox (U4183)
posted 40 minutes ago
I think there are two propositions here that are slightly incompatible: we should sell Maguire to fund Tielemans; we are an ambitious club pushing for top six.

I think the suggestion isn’t necessarily a bad one. If we did manage to get silly money for Maguire and ended up with Tielemans and a couple of other good signings we’d have had a good summer. In terms of what we really need then YT is ahead of Harry who is perhaps still overrated a little after the last world cup.

The fact that we’d have to wheel and deal like this to get a squad that is anything like capable of pushing us on that bit closer to the top six, however, is a statement in itself. This might appear a bit negative, but I think it’s precisely indicative of why we’re not a club with serious ambition to break into the top six. If we were we’d keep both.

The clubs immediately ahead of us are: Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs. Competing with clubs like this is as much about perception as it is about money. When Man City broke through that glass ceiling they threw multi-millions of pounds on statement signings. The Robinho purchase immediately after their takeover wasn’t about the player – it was a statement of intent. It was saying to players, agents and other teams that a new club was about to be competing alongside them. Chelsea did a similar thing, but not quite so dramatically.

Leicester City’s owners have been brilliant. They’ve transformed a team who were missing out on players to clubs like Brighton and QPR just a few seasons ago. But ready to challenge those clubs mentioned for a top six berth? Probably only by selling our best players for big money and then re-investing in the overall squad as is the suggestion here but, for the reasons Dunge alluded to, it’s a high risk strategy. Our re-investment would have to be spot on to seriously challenge the top six and, as we know, we’ve got a bit of a mixed record in that area.

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It’s a good post - but what’s the alternative, give up and settle for 9th every year? We don’t have the endless money to throw at signings that the top 4 do - but then neither do Wolves and they’ve given the top 6 a run for their money in their first season. Their recruitment is absolutely spot on - just like ours used to be.

I actually don’t really want Maguire - I think we cash in full stop. I personally believe he’s overrated as a defender because he’s good on the ball. He’s been culpable for a fair few goals this season and I actually don’t think he’s pushed on. I’d be happy to mug Cuty or United off

However if getting shot helps fund a record transfer as well as 2 or 3 other quality signings then I’m especially keen

I don’t believe we can afford to miss out Tielemans and I see no suggestions from anyone else as to who could fill his place.

BS,

I agree with you and I think your proposal is fairly sound - on the caveat that we can pull it off in the right way.

But if Man Utd or Spurs are really serious about signing Tielemans - I just don't see him coming to us.

I don’t think it’s as simple as simply mugging City and United off. For the figures quoted there are better options for both teams. Woodward doesn’t seem to be a fan so I’m not sure we’d go for him. City is anyone’s guess, they need homegrown players but then I don’t think Maguire really fits Pep’s team and they’ve got better cb’s already.

Plus a lot depends how much other teams want Tielemans. Even if you sell Maguire, you can’t compete with us on wages. Spurs may be a bit different as they are pretty tight.

comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 30 minutes ago
I don’t think it’s as simple as simply mugging City and United off. For the figures quoted there are better options for both teams. Woodward doesn’t seem to be a fan so I’m not sure we’d go for him. City is anyone’s guess, they need homegrown players but then I don’t think Maguire really fits Pep’s team and they’ve got better cb’s already.

Plus a lot depends how much other teams want Tielemans. Even if you sell Maguire, you can’t compete with us on wages. Spurs may be a bit different as they are pretty tight.
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We can definitely mug city off - look at the money we got for Mahrez. He’s barely featured and has mostly been absolute toss when he has. £60m in the bank. United do have a tendency to pay silly money but no idea if Maguire is a target for them

We can’t compete with United on wages absolutely not. I think if you’re dead set on signing him then we would struggle. The hope is that you have a number of targets and Tielemans is just one - while for us he is the main target and we try and get business done quickly

But the point is you can’t if he’s not a target for them, and there’s not really much about Maguire that suggests he would be. I think if there’s any player you’d be mugging them for it’d be Chilwell.

Yeah that’s a fair point about Tielemans. I think with us it may depend on what happens with Pogba. I’m not sure we’d be looking at Tielemans if he stays.

It does look like we want to get our business done nice an early - hence trying to get the James and De Ligt business sorted straight away.

How swift are you usually with your transfers?

“How swift are you usually with your transfers?”
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We’re usually about 14 seconds too late!