Brahimi linked again

Every transfer window, Yacine Brahimi gets linked to us, he must be 30 years old now, and he doesn't fit the criteria that Brands and Silva are looking for.

Decent player but the question, as with most foreign players, is: Could he have held his own in the Premier League? And that it's at least five years too late!

I'm surprised that we have never gone for Hakim Ziyech, he's still the right age and would welcome the move to the Premier League. I was watching a Dutch Football Channel and they were singing his praises on there, about what he has done consistently for Ajax.

I was into this move three years ago, but that ship has sailed.

The source is “a bola” — more like Ebola given how this rumor has been spreading for years without remedy.

Kieran, he's not even real. He's just a legendary, shadowy figure glimpsed in fuzzy photographs, like Bigfoot or the yeti or Nessie.

Nah, but in all seriousness, at least two Portuguese outlets are reporting this is real, with West Ham, Betis, Fenerbahce and Marseille all in frame as well. Hammers offered £30M for him last summer but Porto turned it down. Bet they wish now they had taken it.

He's now 29. I didn't see him play at all this season but he scored 10 in 37, which is right in line with his career average of a goal every four games. Anybody on TW watch Primeira Liga and see him?

Mike, if he's like Nessie, I'll pass after Niasse and Naisy.

Is he really Keyser Söze??

No. We will not be signing Brahimi or Welbeck or any other 28+ year old who would come in on big wages and a fair amount of risk attached.

Expect 20-25 year olds, some of whom you will not have heard of and who may take a little time to settle but will hopefully be worth more than we paid in a few years time.

Is probably bull; however, it would be a good move I feel.

A free transfer (yet wages can always cloud these things), a 3-year contract wouldn't be such a crazy move. Competition for Richarlison and Bernard, another attacking option, and rather than spend, we have time to see if Gordon or Bowler can develop into first teamers.

Why is it always us and West Ham???

Mike #4 – I don't watch Primeira Liga but did go over to Porto in October with 9 mates on a footy trip. Went to Porto v Feirense (a game constantly interrupted and ultimately spoiled by VAR incidentally!) – Brahimi was acknowledged by most/all of us to be the best player on the pitch. Unfortunately, as others have said, he's now too old to consider.

Should have added that we didn't rate Marega despite him scoring a second goal!

If Porto turned down £30 million for a player they hadn't yet convinced to extend his contract, then it is either gross stupidity or a measure of how desperate they were to hold onto him for one more season at least.

Instead of his age, I would look at his injury record. I know the preferred profile is lower aged but a few outliers wouldn't surprise me if they are judged to bring enough quality.

Simon, it used to be Spurs and Villa as our chief alternatives. For a long time, it seemed we did Redknapp's and O'Neill's scouting for them! These days, I'd also expect to see Leicester in competition with us and I'd imagine Wolves will be looking at similar too.

Perhaps West Ham can offer similar comtract terms as us because they don't have a large debt from building a ground and have also increased match revenue? I wonder what the hold up with Gomes is? Are they waiting till after the CL final to try to conduct busines?

Brahimi and Welbeck on frees... sounds like our old business model. We have enough players on large contracts we cant get rid of. These rumours are making me thirsty

Martin, thanks for the report.

For me, 29 isn't too old to consider.

Riquelme V2 (in terms of transfer rumours that is, not necessarily quality!)

He’s a fantastic player. I’ve seen a lot of him, in the flesh too, not just TV. However, in the past it was his agent trying to get him a move and there was nothing to it. I’d say he’s less likely to sign than ever. You don’t pay top dollar for an explosive player at the age of 29. His days are limited and he’s due to go into decline soon. On top of that he’s infuriatingly inconsistent. Also, I doubt he’d be as good in the premier league against top class full backs. He’s also not going to fit in with Silva’s pressing game and he won’t track back. He’s a great player to watch though. Like Bolasie with more pace and more skill.