Levy's statement over the weekend championed our "settled team" which, whether you agree with his sentiments or not, indicates that he is not willing to tear up the squad and start again. We're clearly in the market for a goalkeeper and maybe a long-term centre-back, so at the very most we're looking at four notable arrivals.
Striker. It's the word on everyone's lips. And the first position we need to address. It's likely to be Keane and one other out the door, probably depending on the best offer, so we need at least a big-ish name and a well-renowned bargain.
The agent for FC Porto's Radamel Falcao, who scored a record 17 goals in the Europa League this season, has claimed that Spurs and Arsenal have matched his client's £26m buyout clause in a fight for his signature. And yesterday we were closely linked to Leandro Damiao, Internacional's £13.2m-rated who has netted 16 goals in Brazil's Gaucho state championships - we're supposedly fighting Barcelona for him, but, guess what, he's best mates with Sandro. Could next season have a distinctly Samba swing to it?
The prospect of "the new Didier Drogba", Belgian Romelu Lukaku (£17m-£18m), being tutored by the real Didier Drogba really excited me, but it now seems most likely to happen at Chelsea as they've reiterated their intentions to keep the Ivorian.
Goalkeeper. Signing Friedel is not the road to go down. We'll get one, maybe two seasons out of him and he'll retire. I wouldn't be surprised if he actually retires this summer anyway. It's the end of the season and we're not looking for a quick fix. Ben Foster is the man, or better if possible, but someone fresh who can really grow into the position. I wouldn't ditch Gomes entirely, but he's got to be ready to play second fiddle after losing his confidence so badly recently.
Only expect a centre-back along the lines of Ryan Shawcross or Gary Cahill if we can really barter a price for them and, bar one or two smaller acquisitions, I think that might be our lot.
We know the midfield is fine, the defence will shore up with a broad-shouldered organiser between the sticks, so it's the front line and the keeper that needs the most attention.
More importantly, it needs doing quickly and decisively. I'm all for shopping around and doing the best deal possible but we don't want to be active until the deadline again. We got lucky by finding Rafa Van Der Vaart last season but we can't rely on last-minute deals. If Levy wants the settled squad he so happily claims, then we need to be ready well in advance.
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