It looks like three signings are on the way now £30m deals ave been agreed for Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse, along with the imminent arrival of Edson Alvarez. So it's lucky no-one on twitter has been having meltdowns over the lack of activity in the past few weeks. Ward-Prowse might be 28 but having just watched a video of all his free-kick goals for the Saints he could really add something to the side with his assists and goals. Though given time we might be able to coach him into how to hit the wall rather than score.
It's less easy to see the need for Harry Maguire when WHU have Zouma and Aguerd, plus Kehrer and Ogbonna, but we're getting a player who once cost £80m for £30m and he has a point to prove. Maguire will surely be better in a team that plays deep and has never lost the confidence of Gareth Southgate. He looked a really good player for Hull and Leicester and both Mourinho and Guardiola tried to buy him at that point. His first season at United saw him tighten the defence but after that and his holiday arrest he lost his way and confidence. He'll be under less pressure at a team that wants to finish in the top half rather than win the league. Again he'll add a threat from set-pieces, and like Ward-Prowse is a club captain who can bring some leadership after Declan.
The bad news is that Man City are sniffing around Lucas Paqueta, though his £85m release clause isn't activated until next summer. In a busy morning, Nikola Vlasic has departed for Torino for around £10m. It's another hefty loss on a player who cost £25 million and was a panic buy after Moyes failed to sign Lingard. Despite being a regular sub for Croatia he never looked like adapting to the Premier League in his one season and scored just one-goal against a poor Watford side. We have to hope the new signings are better value.
