11 May 2021 17:01:48
We are apparently being linked with a move for Anguissa from Fulham for the defensive midfielder role.

1.) 11 May 2021
11 May 2021 22:11:45
I could see that being on option. Possibly a bit cheaper than Berge.

Smith might fancy pushing Luiz up into a CM role. Quite how he fits McGinn and Sanson in as well though is anybody’s guess. The Frenchman may have to warm the bench.

2.) 13 May 2021
13 May 2021 13:34:57
I have been doing a bit of reading on Anguissa and so the plosives are that he’s quite athletic, quick and can pick a pass however he also has a tendency to switch off on occasion and has got the odd rick in him! We have already got a couple of players who fit that profile so he’s not for me if I am honest, the problem I have is if it’s not Berge or Bissouma then I am not sure who I would want to fill that defensive midfield role, certainly no one from the premier league screams out at me maybe we have to look abroad.

3.) 15 May 2021
14 May 2021 23:42:30
The lad at Sporting Lisbon (Joao Palinha) looks a decent option, or Sangare at PSV. My top choice would probably be AZ’s Teun Koopmeiners. Any of those should be gettable tbh. Slightly more fanciful, but might we make a play for Camavinga at Rennes, given the state of French football finances? Lots of options out there and I’m encouraged by Smith’s recent comments about exciting targets and the work that’s already been done to secure them.

4.) 17 May 2021
16 May 2021 22:55:37
Koopmeiners is a name that has cropped up again in the last couple of weeks on one web blog, which I cannot recall. He has a remarkable scoring record for a DM and would have longer term captaincy credentials, should that be required.

There is a suggestion that Berge has a £35M release clause. That would be a rather unattractive cosideration, if true.