Transfer Window Update
Lots of wheeling and dealing before the window slammed shut.
Players Out
Zaniolo was on the transfer list on request as he wanted to return to Italy. Though a useful squad option and we were taking a loss, I was happy to sanction the move as he was on massive wages.
Antonio was a decent squad option, but I had 7 players who can occupy the center back options and my coaches did not rate him much. I wanted to focus on more English players and I have a terrific youngster coming in; so he moves on for a tidy profit.
Silly money for an ageing but good player and we have booked a profit.
He was on massive wages and wanted a new challenge. He was the best option we had on RB, but Tomiyasu is equally as good.
Was a surprise bid, I put in 50% sell on and they accepted. Might have been a useful back up option, but the money was too good in my opinion.
He was one I did not want to lose. Homegrown, highly rated (leading premiership potential as per my really good Assman) and a bid from a rival. But he had come in with a weird request to discuss the playing time on the eve of transfer deadline and was not convinced by my attempts. He goes for a pretty large transfer fee for a player who hadn't yet made the break at this level .
Players In:
My focus was to fill bring youngsters from UK, a decent GK and a quality DM/CM. Ticked pretty much all the boxes.
Strictly one for the future, but he is rated at 4.5* PA. Will be in my u21 squad for the foreseeable future.
Josh moves in from Chelsea where he was struggling to break in. Highly rated and English, he can be part of my long term CB option.
Cooper is a youngster with plenty of potential and plenty opf experience in English second tier. He was entering last year of his contract and I moved in. He stays back at Reading to continue his development.
He is a future prospect who will be playing in my reserve and providing cover in case of injuries.
Tiago was the most highly rated youngster I had at Napoli, but he never made the breakthrough there (mostly as I was not playing an AMC). Saw that he was available on a no fee loan with 70% wages and I made the move. Napoli was also happy to accept a 30 mill optional fee, which I triggered once Biggs moved on. He will be joining permanently at the end of the year.
I paid the premium as he was young and English. He was a player I was tracking while at Napoli, but I was not sure he copuld break into the first team there. He will slot in nicely as a rotation option for us in the AMC slot.
Saw that the youngster was listed at Napoli and I moved him quick. He will be a back up option (Napoli took a big hit). My coaches and scouts do not rate him much for potential, but he is way better than my current back up to Ramsdale. GK will be a focus area for us in the near future as Aaron is 34.
Another one I brought in on the recommendation of my scouts. He is highly rated, but no where near first team standard.
The one area I targeted as my squad was pretty weak at the DM/MC slots. He is probably the best in the role at the moment and I have spent big cash and blocked highest wages on a player in his prime.
