Then why did the same journalists who reported Alonso was coming, Amorim wasn't coming and that Slot was nailed on tell us that we were all in for Bellingham.
Right up to the point, the same journalists were told we weren't moving for Bellingham.
I don't know what journo's think mate and can't speak for who knows what, as I rarely follow that, but speaking in terms of club finances and spending (as you are more aware than most) when you say we should bring in 2 elite players every summer I have to push back and say realistically we've never been at that level, and this goes back decades.
We mainly bring cast offs, failed experiments, people with potential and try to unearth hidden gems. Off the top of my head I can only think of Ali as an already established star.
Two elite players every summer is just not something this club has afforded unfortunately.