Honestly, who do we need to replace? Geri I suppose, but maybe Lookman is just that.
Look, I wanted another attacking option as much as you. I wanted a legit CB that could move Mori the bench and/or allow us to confidently play 4 in the back if needed and put another attacking player on the field. Injuries are a concern, but you know, we only have league games left.
Farhad also isn't a moron. The dude dropped $80M to pay off all our debt and knows that with FFP, we lost $24M last year. Now I don't have the exact numbers in terms of what is permissable income/expense, but 2016 is going to be a very good, profitable year for us. Shaving off the rest of this salary is HUGE as is just the minimal transfer fees we brought in. The "other" expenses for Martinez, coaches, and staff within other costs is also gone. The over $5M a year we pay in debt is also gone. Our revenues are clearly going to increase with the USM FF deal and a new shirt deal, other sponsorship, etc. We are going to have a LOT more $$$ to play with. However, with FFP, it's a multiyear calculation, and those previous years of losses hurt in terms of buying players.
So really, if the right players to buy weren't there, it's wise to lay off it, balance the books, and come out with a tidy profit at least in terms of FFP calculation so that we can buy more players in the summer where the market is much better. Tack on a decent sale for someone like McCarthy to the tune of $20M+, and we are going to be in good shape.
Of course, that's all theoretical. It needs to actually happen.