I read a couple of people dismissing Aurier that he turned down Spartak and a couple of other clubs, but Watford could be an attractive proposition for him. He doesn't have to move home, he's got 2 friends here already and no transfer fee means a bigger signing bonus. It's not beyond the realm of possibility...it's unlikely but not impossible.
Told yesterday (which kinda confirms SSN story) that we indeed had an interest in Aurier but he had NO interest in joining us. A very short conversation. Everton spent time yesterday trying to get him but the player wants to leave England ultimately. I wouldn't get your hopes up personally or spend too much time discussing him as a realistic option. (Hopefully that comes back to haunt me as I think he'd be a good addition - maybe if he has no decent offers but I think he will have plenty...pretty much the best free-agent out there.) Can't see any of the higher profile free-agents coming here. Whats more, I don't think it was a tactic by the club to leave spaces open for free agents. I just think we have wanted certain players out without having defensive recruits lined up to fill the spaces - a semi-failure of recruitment strategy.
Agree with a lot of that. However I dont think this is just a case of needing / wanting high profile, we are catastrophically short at centre back / right back. If Sierralta is indeed suspended (and presumably this is going to be a recurring issue moving forwards come every international break) then we are going to end up with Derek Agyakwa who struggled to get into a Serie C side on the bench. Makes the decision to let Pollock / Wilmot go without replacements look very odd regardless of whether they were good enough for the PL.
I was under the impression that the whole reason Aurier wanted his contract terminated was because he wanted to return to France.
As for Aurier we should offer him the opportunity to train with us while looking. That will make him FO to France double quick.
If we have injuries/suspensions in defence we will probably end up playing Gosling in central defence.
eliaquim mangala is a free agent maybe worth a punt as a back up. Cant be any worse than what we currently have as back up CB https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eliaquim-mangala/profil/spieler/90681
It's not who we have as back up, it's more that we are two injuries away (one if Cathcart is injured) from having no back up at all!
I think it is a much to do with WHO we have as backup as it is about the depth as well. Cathcart and Kabasele aren't great options at CB whatsoever at this level.
Can anyone in France afford him, though? The league on the whole is financially ****ed, and I doubt PSG are about to come back in for him. He'd have to compromise hugely on wages, I presume, which my sources are telling he may be prepared to do, or equally he may not.
If Aurier wants to sign for us, we've got to do the deal. Would be an instant upgrade. It would be tough on Kiko, as I really like him and what he gives us in an attacking sense, but he's no defender. Kiko is also not available to us often enough either. He's at the age where his hamstrings are going regularly. Ngakia is a decent back-up player, and will remain a back-up regardless if Aurier signs or not, so for me, it's a deal that would make total sense. A high calibre player, who, under contract, would be worth a decent chunk of money. Has friends already at the club, so it seems like a plausible signing.
Looking through Transfermarkt, I can see the ex United RB of Rafael is available. Fits the model of unwanted player that is passed their prime but has Premier League experience. He's only 31 as well. Probably better in his position than Cathcart.
I’ve had a look at free agent centre backs: Nicolas Nkoulou: 31 year old Cameroonian defender who just finished a 4 year stay with Torino in which he was a mainstay in their defence. Not sure how good he is now but looking at the rest of the free agents he looks like one of the best options. Eliaquim Mangala: Barely played in recent times, 30 years old, but has “Premier League Experience” albeit the bare minimum. Shkodhran Mustafi: Not very good towards the end of his Arsenal stay, but once again has Premier League experience. Rodrigo Ely: 27 year old Brazilian defender that has most recently played for Alavés in Spain, in and out of the side for the past 4 seasons. Mateo Musacchio: Argentinian player who I’m fairly sure we’ve been linked to before, pretty much the only reason I’ve included him, most recently played for Lazio in Italy in which he made 4 appearances. Kean Bryan: Been mentioned by a number of people on here, we were linked to him at the start of the summer, I assume if we’d stayed in the Championship, versatile but I don’t think he’s good enough along with a few other of these to play in the Prem despite making a handful of appearances for Sheffield United last season.
