Peter Lawwell – of all people – has made it official; we’re going to be making another signing before the transfer window closes.
He was talking today at the Champions League draw, and he told the assembled reporters that he and the manager have narrowed their search down to just a few players and they hope to bring in another name.
I’m sure that Brendan, like the rest of us, would want more than one, of course, and if he does our CEO shouldn’t think that just one will do, but as it stands we’ve got it from the horse’s mouth that we’re not going to be disappointed.
“Before we qualified, we discussed the squad and the requirements for Brendan,” he said. “We’d like to add one more before the deadline. We’ll do some work on that.”
He went on to warn that “nothing can be guaranteed” but that sounds like typical Lawwell caution.
If he’s talking to the press like this it’s almost over the line.
Also, it seems unlikely he’d be making such a promise if the target was minor league; the fans would be rightly cheesed off by us going out and bringing in some low key footballer with the draw throwing up such luscious names.
No, this one will be the marquee player we’ve been dreaming about.
There’s no more information available at this time; really, take your pick of those who’ve been linked with a move here across this window so far. McCarthy is definitely on the radar; you can’t completely ignore talk from south of the border that there are clubs talking about paying £15 million for him – it’s the Premiership, after all – but it seems unlikely.
Roberts, as I said earlier, is a player who we could wait until January to get signed up on a permanent deal; he will not be affected by his existing loan agreement. Like Courtois was some years ago, he will be eligible for these games including those against City.
Rumours today that we’re looking at three players, including a right back and a surprise striker, have intrigued me and if those are accurate we’ll know soon enough.
But Lawwell’s comments have put aside any questions about the spending being over.
At least one more player will be coming to Paradise as we prepare for six massive games against elite European teams.
It’s going to be an amazing few months for all of us.
In Brendan We Trust.
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