Vintage Gossip: Ronald and Frank De Boer linked for £18m!

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Rumours are still RED hot that Arsenal is moving in on Sampdoria pairing, Praet and Andersen. Hard to work out whether this is stoking the flames so they’ll land a buyer this summer, or there’s a RAGING fire of reality to accompany the smoke.

Either way, who cares, I’m into the gossip, it keeps the summer acceptable.

Remember, never trust a person that says they don’t enjoy the transfer window. It’s like saying you don’t like Jurassic Park. It’s the sort of comment that comes from a person you’re forced to meet on a double date that goes, ‘I don’t really support a club, but I do support England and I have a season ticket at Harlequins.’ It’s the half and half scarf of internet hot takes.

I fucking LOVE a rumour. Keep my pint glass topped up with cold foamy gossip all summer long. It’s all I need.

Talking of CLASSIC fine pairing rumours. One of the first major stories that had me firming up at the back pages was SO long ago, Youtube didn’t even exist, yep, we all had measles vaccinations back then… it was when Ronald and Frank De Boer were the De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong of Europe.

This from the Indie in 1997 (I must have been 2 years old or something)!

Arsenal have failed with an audacious offer to Ajax for the Dutch international De Boer twins, Frank and Ronald, but hope to resurrect an pounds 18m double deal in the summer.

The Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has spent two days in Amsterdam in an attempt to secure the services of the De Boers. The brothers, 26, are contracted to the former European champions until 2000, but each has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave at a certain price.

Arsenal’s chances of signing the brothers are enhanced by the salaries at Highbury. Bergkamp is reportedly on pounds 1m a year, plus bonuses, while the De Boers earn pounds 300,000, despite being Ajax’s best players. However, there is the possibility that the Ajax coach, Louis Van Gaal, will replace Bobby Robson at Barcelona in the summer. In that event, the brothers may follow him to the Nou Camp.

The swift dismantling of the Ajax side in the wake of the Bosman ruling, will also see the 20-year-old striker Patrick Kluivert and the utility player Winston Bogarde, 26, leave for Italy on free transfers when their contracts expire in May.

OH MAN THAT WAS EXCITING.

BIG DAVID DEIN BRINGING HOME THE DUTCH BACON (at least trying)! 🥓🇳🇱

I think we eventually missed out because Arsene Wenger had some major issue with the brothers trying to void their contract agreement with Ajax. Wenger always had a moral compass a touch over-tuned for football. I think he thought if he was nice to other clubs, they’d be nice back, which was rarely the case. Bit like my life with women.

Wish he’d been a bit meaner about winning and bit more ambitious with money. Our ‘nearly 11’ would have won us a few more major silver pots… reckon at least half of that was down to dithering or fannying around over pennies… or making Zlatan have a trial!

The following transfer window post the De Boer fail was pretty bad for me, I was SUPER excited that Arsenal were in for Patrick Kluivert… I was bragging hard at school that we were about to pull off the deal of the century, but it fell through and he eventually ended up at Barcelona. I was totally ripped to pieces by all the nasty West Ham and Spurs fans at school. Don’t worry though, I filed a very strong complaint with those in authority that went nowhere, and was likely blood wedgied for being a grass.

I think we ended up with Kanu, which was exciting because fat Ronaldo said he was the greatest player he’d ever seen in training… and my oh my, did Kanu score some UNREAL goals. Best thing about players back then was there was no Youtube, so you had no fucking clue what was coming to your club until they played.

We also signed Kaba Diawara later in the season, a Champ Man LEGEND. I vividly remember him playing against Leeds and doing everything bar score… he was shipped out pretty quickly after that.

Anyway, what I’m saying is this… transfer windows are the dreams before the reality. Don’t trust the guy at work bemoaning it. He probably keeps foxes genitals in pickle jars, or has a really wicked Instagram handle where he paints toy boats on a timelapse… and let me tell you, this guy is definitely gluten-free and quite happy to pollute the airwaves with chat about how he found this little woke IPA brewery in Bermondsey that you can access on Saturdays as part of a tour.

Get fucked Steven, you can walk out in the sun and drink your pony tasteless beer, while me and my fellow brethren are sitting at home crushing F5, scouring AS.com with translate on, and following Twitter accounts like @FOOTBALLSECRETINSIDER in the hope of some REAL Saturday good times.

That’s a summer my friends, that’s a fucking summer.

Right, see you in the comments. x

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DM

Afternoon

DM

2

Bankz

Bankz is here for the tr4phy again

DM

Tr4phy

HighburyLegend

lol good old memories.

Dissenter

For a short while I though I had clicked on the archives.

It’s hard to be Pedro these days. How does an ultra-talented blogger like Pedro create good banter when there’s almost no movement in the transfer window.
It’s like all the major clubs [doubtful Arsenal belongs in this group] are waiting to see who makes the first move.

HighburyLegend

lol Sampdoria has refused our first offer for Praet and Andersen… different era, same shitty summer.

Dissenter

Highbury legend
“lol Sampdoria has refused our first offer for Praet and Andersen… different era, same shitty summer.”

If it’s true, then it’s hardly a surprise. If you were the selling club, would you jump at the first offer?

Dissenter

I hope Chelsea don’t appoint Patrick Vierra. Sve him for Arsenal when Emeri leave at the end of the season.

HighburyLegend

At the end of the season ?? One can dream…

Kurfi

The Carrasco rumors seems strong

James.wood

Transfer window closes 8th August.
And every club in the World are ready
to up the Anti on players Arsenal want.

Arsenal very good at selling or loaning
for silly money.
But are the laughing stock when buying.Nothing changes.?

S Asoa

12 man. Still in the reserves

englandsbest

Roll on the transfer talk, what would summer be like without the rumours.

In my early days, you had to search the back pages for them, which meant buying the Evening Standard AND the Evening News. Anybody remember Bernard Joy?

Receding Hairline

Paulo Fonseca has moved to coach Roma

He is a manager i have always admired, interesting to see how he does in Rome.

Cesc Appeal

Guendouzi pictured all pally with Upamecano on U21 duty.

That’s right Agent Matteo. In his ear.

Cesc Appeal

‘Barcelona? Munich? United? Dayot, Arsenal is where it’s at…have you seen our CBs? You could arrive with one leg and be starting’.

Cesc Appeal

Lorenzo Pellegrini linked again. Both Arsenal and Spurs sniffing around him because of his £30 Million release clause and the fact it is payable through two £15 Million installments which would suit Arsenal.

Going up against Spurs and possibly Inter as well is difficult given the lack of UCL football.

Arsenal and Spurs seem to be looking at similar players.

Both seriously interested in Andersen as well.

James.wood

England’s best.
15.00.26
Late STAR/Standard/ Evening News.
Remember well and actually used to buy
my Standard of The Original Charlie George.
When he was part time paper seller outside
the Brecknock pub Brecknock rd Crn Camden rd.
Used to be a very good paper Friday nights all the horses for
Saturday.
And Bernard Joy.

Words on a Blog

https://www.arsenaltrust.org/feed/afc-finances/2019/-SimonHillfinancialanalysis

Read it and weep.

We can keep scouring NewsNow In hope and expectation, but there’ll be No big transfers for us.

Not the Real KC

Pedro I use to love reading your post daily, loads of inside information.
Nowadays your posting old stuff we already now about.

We know the players we are linked with a wide player CM and back up keeper to replace those who’s gone
but until we sell I can’t see much movement

Words on a Blog

Chairman Zheng: “Ok Raoul, I know you love Carrasco and he loves Arsenal and he wants to live in London, so it’s time now to talk about money.”

Raoul: “Taxi!”

Dissenter

Words
Those financials aren’t so bad after all. The main difference was we didn’t make any money from “Property”.
I was expecting a big plunge in revenues but our commercial income actually rose.

Marc

Words

I think most were already of the opinion that we needed to off load some players to generate revenue as well as get the wage bill under control.

Marc

You can’t have ago at Pedro regarding transfer rumours there’s just too much click bait etc out there to be able to sort out.

Cesc Appeal

It’s like everyone keeps saying, the wage bill is absolutely crazy. The clubs plan is becoming more evident I think. The rumours of asking for staggered payment for Carrasco and Andersen and Saliba and now links to Pellegrini who has a release clause payable in staggered fashion. Arsenal want to commit as little capital to as many players in this window whilst reducing the wage bill which will mean more profit next year along with Adidas money and new TV money to pay the staggered sums which carry over and still allow some sort of budget…even if the worst happens… Read more »

Marc

Cesc

If you are right about that rumour it certainly shows the Spud’s are feeling the financial strain of the new stadium.

Frank Mc

Didn’t Arsenal go after Rupert De Boer instead……

Frank Mc

Checked strides and all….

Marc

It’s being reported that Chelsea’s transfer ban will be up held during the appeal to CAS.

Haven’t other clubs already been punished for the same actions? Seems a bit strange to appeal when you’re guilty and other clubs have already been punished when you’re not getting it postponed so you can prepare.

CG

Plaudits to PedRo for another post during these nondescript and even more nonsensical times at Arsenal circa 2019. Nostalgia is all we have right now. And I am glad – he has revisited it today. When Arsenal under the auspices of the aforementioned David Dein- we only entered the Overseas Transfer market- if it was an to attempt to buy the best. To adorn our British based Spine. (And The De Boers were certainly in the category.) Compare and contrast to what we do now.. The expected arrival of Carrasco will be officially the 7th signing Raul and Emery have… Read more »

Marc

Pedro

No it’s karma rebalancing things. Without Abramovich Chelsea would be nowhere.

Marc

Overseas players bought under the early Dein / Wenger era that weren’t anywhere near the best:

Remi Garde
Chris Kiwomya
Boa Morte
Alexander Manninger
Christopher Wreh
Nelson Vivas
Oleg Luzhniy

Should I go on cretin?

HighburyLegend

Please no more “tick tocks”…

Cesc Appeal

Pellegrini’s agent is in London apparently

Cesc Appeal

Marc

It depends. Could do. But they are also linked to big bids for N’Dombele and Lo Celso.

jwl

Metro Sport – “Brazil wonderkid Gabriel Martinelli has hinted at a move to Arsenal by following the Gunners on social media ahead of a prospective £6.5million move to the Emirates.”

CG

Hello High Leg,

Please do me one a favour.
And answer this….

If YOU were in charge of Arsenal – would you persist with Unai Emery or would you replace him with someone better?

The Grove Floor is all yours…….

HighburyLegend

Fuck off you moron.

englandsbest

Spurs will probably be forced to do the same as Arsenal: sell to buy.

The difference is that they can raise enough in two easy strokes: sell Ericson and Rose.

Marc

Cesc

They were linked to all sorts of players last summer – really think it’s all a sham to keep the fans interested. They will spend this summer but the net spend will either be negative or pretty small.

Barney75

For the record….Chris Kiwomya was English, came from Ipswich Town and was bought by GG.

Wasi

Yo whats up lads. Why are a we selling Ospina for so less(3.5 mil reported).We should be grateful to Napoli that they didnt make the transfer obligatory.3.5 mil for a keeper like Ospina is nuts.What are Raul and Vinai are doing.Quote him around I am quite sure we could at least get 10-12 mil out of him.He is an international keeper duh.Nick Pope of burnley was being touted at around 10 mil and Ospina whos way better than pope cant fetch 3.5 from napoli.Is that a joke man.Our contract mismanagement and poor player sales have got The Arsenal in this… Read more »

Marc

englandsbest

They’ve put a dozen players up for sale – includes Rose doesn’t include Eriksen but he’s only got a year left anyway.

Thing is they will have to replace those players as well – Eriksen is their best midfielder, they will either have to spend a decent amount or be lucky in getting a replacement.

CG

H. L.

Ill take it then – you are an admirer of Mr. Emery. Good for you.

I would have thought- being in the minority – would not be your thing…….

Dream10

We’ve been trying to sell Davey Ospina for 3.5m for the last two world cup cycles. Just sell him man

Marc

Dream10

Other clubs are waiting for us to put the price up so they feel they’re paying the right fee!

Dream10

Marc

Hahaha. Napoli had a clause where they had to pay a certain fee if he made 25 starts.
What did they do? They put him on the bench after the 24th! smh

Cesc Appeal

Marc

By the end of the summer we will know what impact their stadium is having given they finished in the UCL places and made it to the UCL final.

Marc

Cesc

The transfer window closes on the 8th August – it’s going to fly by.

Marc

Dream10

Are you saying they don’t think he’s worth the money?

Chris

Was going to say about Kiwomya. Sounds foreign but was probably only signed cos he scored against us in the Cup I seem to remember.

Didn’t he sign the same time as big John Hartson?

Dream10

Marc

They want him but know we’re desperate to sell. Won’t be surprised if he’s on loan for another year.

Chris

Would love to see a few more transfer rumours from back in the day.

I’m sure we were linked to Guardiola in his playing days on Teletext once.

Dream10

Don’t think Joachim Andersen is the type of defender we need. He’s good on the ball, but slow, pushes up and isn’t great in the air despite being a big guy.

We need CBs that are strong, quick and can defend in space.

Chris

A good read

https://www.football365.com/news/emery-one-of-too-many-chefs-cooking-up-an-arsenal-shtstorm

A lot of truth, echoes some of what Pedro has been saying.

Luteo Guenreira

I would have thought- being in the minority – would not be your thing…….

That is the strangest way I’ve ever heard of calling someone white.

Dissenter

Wasi
Ho much do you think Ospina is worth?
Are you going to find a buyer willing to pay more?

Dream10

Chris

We were interested in Patrick Kluivert after France ’98. Believe he was interested in joining, but we didn’t want to make him our highest paid player.

Remember us being linked with the left winger Vicente of Valencia and right back Hatem Trabelsi of Ajax around the ’03-’04 summers.

CG

Chris.

Thanks for the link.

I hope all posters have time to read it. Because its totally illuminating.

That author is nearly as talented as our author.

A blockbusting read.

Cesc Appeal

Napoli can go and fuck themselves to be honest, £3 Million for a GK they started 24 times is great value.

They want him for less. Fuck off.

People can’t bemoan Arsenal not getting value and then bemoan us not selling when Napoli want to pay £1 Million or something.

Someone will take him at £3 Million.

Up 4 grabs now

Nice bit of nostalgia Pedro. I remember us being linked to the keeper Sébastien Frey for about 8 seasons as well.

It’s tough coming up with something new everyday in close season especially with no summer tournaments of note on.
So hats off to you.

The good thing is we seem to be linked with a fair few players four or five are much needed. As long as it’s better than what we have.
The outs are just as important though. Plenty of deadwood to clear.

Up 4 grabs now

Cesc we need a bench keeper, for 3 million that’s an insult. He ain’t great but will do for cup games. Tell Napoli to do one.

Cesc Appeal

Arsenal should go in for Tierney quickly, some rumours Leicester are looking at him and will be loaded with cash when Guardiola inevitably pays £60 Million for Chilwell having spent so little on City’s defence already.

HighburyLegend

“That author is nearly as talented as our author.”

Careful, you still have some Pedro’s cum on the lips.

Cesc Appeal

Up 4

To be honest I’d rather get some money and just have Martinez as back up to Leno. At 27 years old Leno should be playing week in and week out.

I think Ospina was on about £90 000 a week as well. Don’t want that back for a back up GK.

Luteo Guenreira

CG stands for “cum guzzler” apparently.

Up 4 grabs now

Cesc to be honest didn’t realize it was90k yeah get rid it’s just a joke for that amount though.
Was banging the drum for Tierney earlier in the year. Still some good players in Scotland even though the league is poor.

Graham62

Pedro

I love the De Boer post.

Ah, the memories.

22 years ago. Seems unreal.

CG

“If I was in charge of Arsenal I would” give Emery the chance he deserves.

I should also add “If I was in charge” I would have sacked Wenger ten years back.

That way, we’d have found ourselves in a far healthier position.

Over to you.

Wasi

Dissenter
Apparently real sociedad are willing to pay 8 mil for Ospina,and thats just 1 club.I dont know what Napoli are thinking themselves to be.They want a world cup goalkeeper and are not willing to pay 3.5 mil for him.On the other hand they are rejecting 100 mil bids for Koulabaly.Granted he is a good defender but 100 mil are you kidding.Its like napoli offering 50 mil for mustafi and we still rejecting.The comparison is lame i know sorry.
Tierney for me is a no-brainer immediately improves our options at LB and has potential to be World class.

Wasi

Id give emery an year too.

Dissenter

Napoli only bought him to temporarily cover for Alex Meret, their record signing keeper who was injured.
The market for Ospina is most likely limited to Napoli. They know it and we know it too.

Dissenter

Wasi
“Apparently real sociedad are willing to pay 8 mil for Ospina,and thats just 1 club.”

You better pass that info to the club. I’m sure they will pay you a finders fee or commission.

Ospina isn’t a good keeper. He was another mistake of a signing.

Graham62

CG

It’s got nothing to do with being “an admirer of Mr Emery”.

Taking everything into consideration, it’s all about giving him a wee bit more time to sort things out.

If there’s an upward turn, keep him on. If there’s an obvious regression, then he’ll have to go.

Remember, how many stays of execution did Wenger have?

Far too many!

Dissenter

The idea that Napoli will be offering 1 million for a player that Sociedad are willing to pay 8 million for doesn’t pass the smell test.Either Soceidad are dumb or Napoli are stingy. That 7 million valuation difference is way too wide.
The maximum fee Ospina has gone for was the 4 million euros we paid for him in 2014 after his good WC performance. He was never a highly rated goalie, is too short, with stubby hands. Only Redtruth rates him so highly.

Graham62

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Where would Arsenal be if AW had been sacked the day after we lost to Birmingham City in the 2011 Carling Cup Final?

More than eight years back.

Just imagine.

Cesc Appeal

Up4

Yeah I don’t want to get the £100 000 a week wages of Cech off just to add £90 000 for an irrelevant back up player.

A big thing for us this year is getting that wage bill under control so we look healthier financially next year.

That isn’t Arsenal downgrading in quality or status, it’s paying worth. No way are Ozil and Mkhitaryan worth £28 Million a year, for example.

If you got rid of Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Mustafi that is about £33 Million off of our wage bill. The money we waste is completely staggering.

CG

Graham “” If I was in charge of Arsenal I would give Emery the chance he deserves.”””” He has had his Chance .And he Blew it Big time in Baku . And Big time against Brighton… It’s over for Emery….he is to all sense and purposes a Caretaker Coach. I know it. You know it.. Chris link explains it . Buy **Emery first manager to be sacked next season……. think Koeman Everton…. Freddie probably to take the team reigns in the international week- early part of the season…… ** use that money – to spruce up that Garden.. get some… Read more »

Graham62

Ospina is a good keeper.

Definitely 6-8million.

Napoli are taking the pizza.

Champagne Charlie

“If there’s an upward turn, keep him on. If there’s an obvious regression, then he’ll have to go.“

Graham seems to think Emery has just been appointed and didn’t in fact oversee the dogshit that was last season.

CG

Graham

Are you residing in Broadmoor?

TR7

Martinez has what it takes to become a good GK. We need to offload Ospina and promote Martinez to the first team squad. Enough time for us to find a buyer who can pay £5M -£8M for him.

CG

Because you will end up there…if you dont get Arsene Wenger out of your head…

Leedsgunner

Near the end of his reign Wenger was a car crash judge of talent… and we wasted millions just making him feel that he still “had it.” Consider Xhaka over Kante Gervinho over Hazard Mustafi over VVD. Park CY over S H Min Maybe I’m being unfair…. hindsight is after all 20/20… but just imagine all the money we would have if we didn’t blow it trying to make Wenger feel better about himself!!! Massaging Wenger’s has meant that we have completely nullified the advantage we had over our rivals with a new stadium… we’re in a worse position now… Read more »

Leedsgunner

*Wenger’s ego

Leedsgunner

I cannot believe newly promoted clubs wouldn’t be interested in the likes of Ospina for £5m or so. Jenkinson and Elneny too. We should be all over them.

Leedsgunner

Jenkinson being linked with Celtic. Surely we could do a player plus cash swap with them for Tierney!

I hope it’s true!

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-celtic-birmingham-city-transfers-16415133

CG

Graham You and so many can’t face the simple reality. And it has nothing to do with the previous manager. That If Emery had not wanted a 4th Loosers Cup for his OWN personal and professional reasons and focused solely on the top 4- we would be in the CL ironically at Spurs’ expense.. that’s a 1/5 of a billion swing in terms of finance alone. Arsenal down £100 million Spurs up a £100 million.. I think that is unforgivable and no second chance should be Given. Emery will always let you down. Dont give him more time- to prove… Read more »

TR7

Really worrisome that we are being linked with Fraser. If we have any aspiration to move forward, we shouldn’t touch players like Fraser with a barge pole.

Marc

Graham

The more I see CG’s comments the more I think he’s a Spud troll – therefore we should do the opposite to what he suggests.

Marc

Leeds

“Xhaka over Kante
Gervinho over Hazard
Mustafi over VVD.
Park CY over S H Min”

You are not being harsh – all managers miss out on good players and make mistakes. What you’ve got to do is look at the good signings Wenger made during his last 6 – 8 years. There aren’t many of them.

CG

Marc

Another one – who cant handle the truth.
Wants to live in his Walter Mitty world…

Graham62

CG

Just giving you a bit of your own medicine.

Annoying isn’t it?

Trouble with you is you never give constructive answers or responses to my questions.

You know why that is?

Denial and Guilt.

That’s what really eats at you.

Your failure to accept your own failings as an Arsenal supporter.

Emery is your punch bag. Your therapy if you like.

Taking your frustration out on him is your way of relieving yourself.

Right?!?

Victorious

Graham
“He blew it?” Really? Let me finish the sentence…………”.just like Wenger blew it, time and again, for all those years”

So what Wenger became dogshite at the end

does it now make it acceptable Emery bottled our chances of CL football next season despite having the easiest of fixtures left amongst the chasing pack

Ffs he needed just 3points from about 4fixtures and he ended up getting Nada…which is why he was a FAILURE in his first season

Your Wenger obsession is getting really ridiculous and boring at this stage

Marc

Cesc

“If you got rid of Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Mustafi that is about £33 Million off of our wage bill. The money we waste is completely staggering.”

You’d think a drugs company would sponsor us with the money Arsenal fans make them – “Arsenal sponsored by Diazepam” they could hand it out with the hot dogs and beer!

Marc

Victorious

Graham’s got himself in an argument with CG who’s entire position is “sack everyone” and bring back Wenger as Technical Director.

You can’t blame Graham for highlighting the double standards of CG who was silent about Wenger’s repeated fuck ups and yet wants Emery gone after one season.

Up 4 grabs now

I am keen on the idea of bringing players in that know the league already that can hit the ground running. As long as there proven quality. Tierney although not from the premier league and the Scottish league isn’t great, would be a upgrade on what we have, and if keeps improving would be the type of player that goes for big money in 2 years time to a top four club. Fraser had a good season at Bournemouth and was second with the assists in the league. Not a big name, but neither was Robertson when he went to… Read more »

Victorious

Marc Agree CG comes across unhinged most of the time but I find his opinions on Emery not that far off from Pedro and a whole lot of others on here..Emery limped his way out of last season with that catastrophical defeat to Chavs in the EL despite having a great chance to be a hero with some easy fixtures to get us CL footie through the League Graham is a wierd one though,has a chip on his shoulder whenever Wenger is mentioned and u wouldnt ever catch him talking about a subject other than Wenger.. He reminds me of… Read more »

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