We don't need 12 players, we just need to sign a couple of players every transfer window who will improve the starting 11. Signing too many will disrupt the squad.

First we need to secure Wilf.
Second we need to sign Sahko, or another quality CB. As Sahko has already performed well here he's a less risky transfer than going elsewhere.
Then perhaps we need to look at a replacement for Puncheon and Ward.

Spot on! As you said and I made a point of last summer, we need 2 players for each position.

If we stake the starting 11 and double it, that makes 22. Then we have 3 players to use for utility or to use for a plan b.

I don't understand why we need 3 senior keepers. One senior back up and an U21 that way it is an extra outfield player in the squad.

But our youth system is really being shown up now. It was hailed as a good production line when we were in the lower reaches of the Championship but now?

Last 1st team regular to come through was Williams and Zaha but that was 7 years ago. I like the look of Boateng and Kaikai but I don't know they can make the step up and they might not be U21 come January.

Williams we should sell and reinvest.

Sakho isn't out of contract unfortunately

I think we should push the boat out and sign him. But in Sam we trust.

He's a 15 mil player at most, the bindippers are taking the piss as usual.

Unfortunately it's indicative of all the prices being banded around at the moment for defenders :-

Keane - £25m
Van Dijk - £50m
Walker - £40m

That's without the fact that Stones went for £50m last summer, and to be honest he was poor season.

We probably can afford to sign him but by doing so it will almost certainly reduce our financial ability to sign other players that we need to stand still or progress. The issue will be resolved when the new manager arrives and depending on the style of play he wants will dictate what type of players he wants. BFS is all about clean sheets so quite naturally his focus will be on defenders but another manager will have a different focus.
For me despite his impact I would rather improve the team all round rather than blowing the majortory of our kitty on one player.