I was all for the idea of not selling Baines and Fellaini. And thought if one goes then we must keep the other and it seems its inevitable that Fellaini will go because of his clause. But I just saw Baines turns 29 this year. This gives him 3 seasons, possibly 4 at max of playing at the top level. Would it be better for us to keep him and get no return on him. Or if Man Utd come in with a bid of over 15 million then should we just cash in?
Our squad is ageing and its quite worrying. Distin, Osman, Hibbert and Pienaar are all ageing and will need to be replaced. I'm sure we are in a situation where we have to sell to buy and I believe if we give Martinez time he will need 2-3 seasons to stamp his mark on the squad. Would it not be better to cash in now on Baines and inevitably Fellaini as well as heitinga and therefore give Martinez around 45 million to spend to reshape the squad in his own way.
Our players he could use to build the team around are Coleman, Gibson, Barkley, Mirallas. We only really have those 4 players who are of good enough quality who could be part of a team Martinez can build for the next 5-6 seasons. With 45 million Martinez could buy 3-4 more players who could add to those 4 players for the future. Young quality players such as Mccarthy, players with sell on value who can improve the club. I dont see any benefit at all in buying Aruna Kone for 6 million when we can only get a few seasons out of him.
This idea would mean we may be a mid table side for the next few seasons but it would be in the best interests in the clubs longer term future
