Be very happy with Sigurdsson, striker, and LB/CB. Would prefer a winger or someone with pace and more athleticism for another midfielder but you can't argue with Sigurdssons scoring and assist rate. He should be hungry and keen to prove himself after what was seen as a disappointing spell at Spurs. He would get us 10-12 goals.
Can't actually see us getting Giroud, it may depend on how willing Koeman is prepared to wait as I can't see how its in Arsenal's interest to sell him until the last week if at all until they are definitively sure that Sanchez will stay. Even then I'm not convinced that he wants to join us.
Can see us signing Slimani and I would see him as underwhelming as a replacement for Lukaku.
Be interesting to see who we get for the defensive signing, be happy for us to be a bit bold there and take a chance on Lemos.
That will represent a huge churn in the squad in 12 months and one that I did not see us pulling off at the end of May. Of course they will take time to gel and for RK to work out best formation and tactics but we would have genuine and decent depth, something we have not have for almost 30 years.
I have concerns about lack of pace and width as have many others but if we get another three in - then nobody - not least Koeman himself can't say he has not been supported to the hilt. In addition, with the sales of Barkley, and most likely Robles, and possibly some or all of McCarthy, Barry Besic, Niasse, and Lennon, we have scope to recoup another 50-60m. In short, we would have achieved a total squad transformation in 12 months with a pretty modest net outlay.
That leaves room to add another 2 signings over the next 12 months of the expense and quality that we would like to see, just to put the finishing touches to this particular phase of rebuilding the squad to Koeman's specifications. With the other younger players signed and the stewardship of Unsworth over the U-23s, I am cautiously optimistic.
Relative to the sides above us, we have noticably strengthened relative to Spurs and the RS, and I am not especially fearful of Arsenal. The Manchester clubs and Chelsea are in their own league regarding ability to pay huge transfer fees and attractiveness to players. But all else being equal, get another three players in and I think we've done bloody well. Well enough to at least be a nuisance to the top six and give them more of a run for their money, at least Spurs/Arsenal/Sh*te anyway.
