Bartering season is HUGE opp – don’t blow it on super-agents

by .

Well good morning to yah! Feels maybe a little too early to dive into FA Cup stuff, we’re still dealing with the dusty remnants of the Premier League season.

I think universally, there is a deep worry that Raul and Edu are going to do exactly what they did in January and dial-up their best pals Kia and Canales and let them handle the summer.

What is happening right now in the press is a reflection of that… or, it’s posturing from said agents to try and get their clients a move or a new deal.

We were linked to Kurzawa in January. I’ve suspect Kia used his faux ‘I’m actually on the board at Arsenal’ business card to secure a new deal for his full-back. That’s part of the grey world he’s creating for himself, his not so subtle powerplay that he can use speculation around Arsenal because it’s clear it ‘could’ be true.

Yesterday, the morning started off by saying Willian was going to sign for Chelsea. By the evening Fabrizio and Steinberg had said he was leaning on Arsenal because we’d give him a 3-year deal. Smoke? I had been told this deal was as good as done before the covid outbreak. So I would say there is a high probability Raul is once again plotting to pull Arsenal back into the top 4 by dishing out a longterm deal to someone that will have no resale value after 3 years, and someone that’ll likely want a huge pay rise to join. These sorts of deals are bad for Arsenal football club and they keep us on the same track that has given us little resale value in our squad and drained the coffers of wages.

£180k a week, which is what I’d imagine he’ll command at a minimum, could be spent on 4 top youngsters from Europe, one of which might bring us in Matteo like revenue. Why oh why would you invest in Kia again, when the business sense is in rectifying the huge problem we’ve got with bloated wage bills and players who don’t want to leave. If we had an actual CEO, they’d scrutinise this deal, the value, and our historical track record of getting shafted everytime we make these signings (Cech, Gallas, Silvestre, Yossi), and veto it. Raul should be told to come back with something a little more creative and he should be told that it is looking very odd that he keeps going back to the Technical Directors agent for deals.

Here is why Willian would be bad business:

Mustafi didn’t want to leave last summer, now he won’t this window because he has an injury, but last season, it was rumoured he liked his deal.

David Luiz was brought in on a front weighted deal that worked out to about £200k a week.

Sokratis has leaked to the press he doesn’t want to leave he wants to stay and fight for his place in the first team. He knows there’s no chance of that, but he likes his huge contract that no one else will give him.

We rinse and repeat these horrible deals then blame Stan Kroenke for not spending enough money. Here’s the thing, Chelsea are a very clever club, if they don’t have a 3 year deal on the table, you have to ask yourself, why?

Expense > Deprectiating talent > Better value in youth

Don’t even get me started on a £27m loan deal for Coutinho who commands £250k a week. Sure, he’s an exciting player, but how are we in a position to chop everyone’s salary by 10%, but then take on a player with a hugely inflated deal who has tanked at Barcelona? He is literally called out as one of the worst deals in history in Spain and they’ve made quite a few shocking errors of late.

The only person that should be getting the big money this summer is Auba and even there it is a risk if you wanted to be truly forward-facing.

Thomas Partey is rumoured to be on the table still, we’re apparently trying to swap a player with them, some saying LT. Brilliant move. A player we can all agree on, for starters, he’s actually on the up. We need a 6. He’s athletic, he’s technical, he’s played in a Simeone press so he’ll be driven and outrageously tuned for discipline. That would be a monumental move for Arsenal.

… but it doesn’t matter if you then go out and bring in a whole crop of souring older players in his backdraft.

A proper club would address the issues and reset a transfer strategy that has us in 8th. We know the core problems at Arsenal are centred around creativity and athleticism. Our scouts and analysts should be compiling lists of players that fit the criteria. We have sharp scouts and elite analysts, they are good, they just need to be activated. You’ll have the obvious names at the higher end of our budget, but the data crunchers should be identifying different tiers of risk. Players that have the attributes, but need a bit of coaching. Players crushing it in lower leagues that might need longer to adapt. Players that have outrageous talent but are bench-warming under a new manager that doesn’t like that (PV04 > Milan).

We don’t need to spend this summer forking out for expensive loans. We should be exiting players we know we don’t want, drastically lowering our wage bill so we are a leaner business, and we should be starting the process of bringing in young talent of varying experience we can coach and kickstart our selling process. The culture reset needs to be harsh because the rot is so deep. The talent reset needs to look different to the last 5 summers.

Mikel Arteta has to be a strong voice in these conversations. Raul likely railroads Edu, because I can’t believe the Brazilian arrived here with the same taste in players as Canales, Kia and that other hanger-on. If he doesn’t speak up, he’ll become Emery MKII, bemoaning a Pepe signing because he didn’t have the gravitas to force a move for Zaha. We missed out on 3rd this year by 10 points. I am sure if Mikel had been in at the start of the season, we’d have been more competitive. Those were an easy 10 points to make up. However, it won’t be like that next season. We will need mid-70s to compete. That means we have to make up 20 points in the league.

Spurs will invest in an already good squad.

Chelsea have added 3 absolutely top class players already.

United don’t have a great manager, but they throw huge piles of cash at him, there’s simply no way Jadon doesn’t progress that side up the table

City are about to drop £300m

Liverpool might not spend wildly, but adding Alcantara makes them better, and they are the smartest team in world football. They won’t miss.

Leicester will build. Everton will build. Wolves will build.

Blowing our money on more loans, more average free transfers, and names that don’t come from the on-staff talent reccos will see us swim around in average. I don’t want to battle for 5th again. That is not Arsenal level.

We have options this summer.

  • Torreira – 30m
  • Guen – 40m
  • Lacazette – 40m
  • Hector – 30m
  • AMN – 30m
  • Auba – 50m (if his dad is to be believed)
  • Holding 15m
  • Sokratis 5m
  • Kola 10m
  • Xhaka 30m
  • Reiss 20m

I’m not saying all those players should go, or that the values are bang on, but I am saying they are bartering chips in a market that is looking for security (players will leave to get a longer deal, because who know what happens with covid in round two). Someone raised the point that a lot of the players won’t want to leave the UK. We have more money and it’s easier to stay put in a world of pandemic. So there could be a lot of swapping locally. I think if the Arthur deal showed anything, clubs are willing to put cash on the books to help their balance sheets, so we know a big name like Lacazette is going to be appealing.

However you cut it, there are ways to bring in players… the swap mechanic is going to make this a once in a lifetime chance to get players off the book, and take players from financially stressed clubs, of which there are a lot.

So let’s not blow it with another year of Barca-lite bollocks that we know won’t move us forward.

Interestingly, stories are popping out about Arteta bringing in new coaches this summer. I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but I think there will be a big shake-up in Arsenal’s backroom. I think you’ll see a lot of staff leave as the club continues to trim and reshape for a much, much leaner year where we’ll likely be 10% down on stadium revenue.

That’s why it is inconceivable that on the one hand we can ask players and staff to take a hit financially, but on the other, gift out huge fees to agents that offer us absolutely fuck all value.

Right, see you in the comments.

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The backpass

Ishola “So basically you are saying Saka is not a top youngster because it seems you don’t trust him.Besides you want to give Willian a big fat salary for just one season’s work do you and have Saka take over from him from then on?” He is not a top class LW yet, his best game has been from Deep.. LB and LWB. I think reading Chelsea’s forum, it is widely accepted that Willian would sign a 2 year deal with another club with bonuses of course and 3 years with chelsea. See, I’m not going to lose sleep if… Read more »

Dissenter

Backpass
“Greenwood is better than any of our youngsters yet Manchester united still want sancho.”

Firstly, I can’t believe you can’t see the flawed logic of that statement.
Greenwood is not going to compete with Sancho, he’s rotating with Martial and Rashford.
Secondly. Sancho is a generational talent who’s going to be part of the spine of their team for the next 5-8 years. He’s not a 31 year old on his last legs. Acquiring Sancho addresses short, term, medium term and term needs for United, can’t say the same about William.

andy1886

Willian has been offered a two year deal at Chelsea but he wants three. He may be a good option in the short term but by year two or three is he still going to be a £180k a week player?

That’s what I mean by another Ozil, not in the team and earning a fortune.

WengerEagle

Really hoping that we don’t blow our load on Thomas Partey.

Nothing special. Better players out there for price being bandied about, El Diego can fuck off.

Freddie Ljungberg

We’re not going to spend any serious money on a winger, especially not 60m or whatever on Zaha to make Saka a backup. We might spend the 13.6m on Joelson and have him share game time with Saka though. No to Willian for me too, he’s after a 3 year deal from Chelsea so why would he take less from us? Not worth it at his wages. No to a Coutinho loan for the same reason, 27m for a year? That’s more than the imaginary numbers for Luiz, can you imagine how much that would be when VAT is included?… Read more »

TR7

Our focus should be on improving midfield and defense. Would be typical Arsenal to get a shiny new winger once again and not bolster our midfield/defense.

Dissenter

That the problem with gooners
Every wrong bone headed move we have made has been backed by a significant portion of our fans.
Go read this blog the day we signed Ozil – it was celebratory.

That’s why If I were Stan, I would never put more money in the hands of crappy poker players.

Ishola70

WE “Wouldn’t have a problem with picking up Willian, unlikely as it sounds if if were for a squad role but as a starter, fat no.” Well that’s not going to happen. He is only interested in Arsenal because he sees a bigger cheque for him at Arsenal than at Chelsea and big wage inevitably means first team starter. And if he isn’t first team starter at Arsenal then the inevitable questions will be asked in why are Arsenal paying such a big wage to a squad player purchase. This is all about Chelsea not seeing Willian as a first… Read more »

WengerEagle

Greenwood is not a wide player.

Ole is priming him to play at CF, wouldn’t surprise us to see him alternate with Martial/Rashford there next season.

The backpass

“Willian wants a three year deal”

Except news among Chelsea well placed “sources” or those close to willian believe he would gladly accept a two year deal from other clubs, he needs that fat bonus.

Dissenter

For me, we are not going to win the league next season
It’s highly unlikely we get 4th place – United and Chelsea have pulled too far ahead.
It’s still the 4-7th spot competition.

We need to accept that reality and start making long term strategic options.
Bloody the youths in positions where they are averagely good enough.
Fix the midfield – buy 2 midfielders, preferable young.
Sell off as much as possible.
I though the point of a hot sauce manager was to be forward looking.

WengerEagle

Ishola

I’d pass on him in that case.

Hopefully Arteta sees the bigger picture, doesn’t exactly fit in with his vision signing a 32 year old winger does it?

Receding Hairline

“Really hoping that we don’t blow our load on Thomas Partey .Nothing special.”

Thought i was the only one wondering what the fuss was about, Not 27 too if you ask me.

“Except news among Chelsea well placed “sources” or those close to willian believe he would gladly accept a two year deal from other clubs, he needs that fat bonus.”

He can go to the MLS then, enough with the Chelsea rejects. Chelsea bring in three top class youngsters and we relieve them of Willian, top class squad building that.

Dissenter

“Thought i was the only one wondering what the fuss was about, Not 27 too if you ask me.”

Lol
Any Ghanaian who played in their national youth competition is age-deflated.

Ishola70

WE

“Hopefully Arteta sees the bigger picture, doesn’t exactly fit in with his vision signing a 32 year old winger does it?”

Well if he does come in it will look like a purchase that has been done over Arteta’s head.

Dissenter

The MLS is no longer throwing around money on players like William.
They have changed their approach to buying young talented South American players for resale to European clubs.
Maybe if William were Mexican, the commercial interests will drive a deal.

The backpass

Dissenter “Firstly, I can’t believe you can’t see the flawed logic of that statement. Greenwood is not going to compete with Sancho, he’s rotating with Martial and Rashford. Secondly. Sancho is a generational talent who’s going to be part of the spine of their team for the next 5-8 years. He’s not a 31 year old on his last legs. Acquiring Sancho addresses short, term, medium term and term needs for United, can’t say the same about William.” Nope, he will rotate with Sancho and Martial. He has never played as a Cf for man.u despite him groomed for that… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

TR7 Saka has had a breakout season and he’s already better than a player like Zaha? Nice and grounded Arsenal fans as per, no wonder Dissenter had the oxygen to label him the best academy player ever. Dissenter Idk how you compute what a starter means, but invariably it’s someone who can be relied upon for a level of output because they’ve a mature game. Some kids can deliver such a thing, but they’re the rarest of the rare. How’s Saka been since the restart? Fleeting, which is totally fine and expected of a young player. Martial is 24, Rashford… Read more »

WengerEagle

Chavs buying Havertz is very weird considering their defence is crap and they have an Almunia impressionist in goal.

How are you going to shoehorn in all of Werner, Havertz, Pulisic, Ziyech, Kovacic, Kante, Mount etc in the side?

Werner is a pure 9 and Havertz isn’t best utilised out wide as he’s not the quickest.

Dissenter

**Go read this blog the day we re-signed Ozil – it was celebratory.

The backpass

WE

“Greenwood is not a wide player.”

I agree, but so far he has done well on the right, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes better on the wing than at CF just like Mbappe.

Ishola70

There may be talk of Saka ultimately being a 10 but he has shown everyone so far that his attributes are most definitely attacking opponents from wide positions.

He may have not had the chance to show anything from the middle so far but what he has shown from the wings has been very good. No-one can deny that.

The backpass

Dissenter

“The MLS is no longer throwing around money on players like William.”

Except, he has a contract offer from Inter Miami but he is not planning on retiring soon. He wants to play competitive football and still stay in London.

Guns of SF

Sometimes I wonder if the club always pleads poverty as a buying tactic. Someone alluded to – why would Arsenal come out and say they have money… only to get prices raised on them? Makes sense…. We always plead poverty and the click bait always push that out… that we are broke. etc maybe we are not that broke… maybe a little. I agree with Pedro, we need to buy smart and for the future. These loans I think will just be money out the door for a gamble we make top 4. Also what is the deal with Joelson?… Read more »

Nelson

Dis

I don’t believe that the law would said that we have to play him. I remember Mou sent Bastian Schweinsteiger to train with the U23 players.

The backpass

Receding

“He can go to the MLS then, enough with the Chelsea rejects. Chelsea bring in three top class youngsters and we relieve them of Willian, top class squad building that.”

See I understand, but realistically who do you think we can get as a winger on our budget because Arteta apparently needs one.

Also, we sold Giroud to Chelsea and since haven’t finished above them despite buying a superior player in Auba.

If buying Willian gives us room to operate on other needed areas..they should go for it, that is my opinion.

Habesha Gooner

Mustafi out till October. He is staying now.

Freddie Ljungberg

Mustafi out until October btw so he’s not going anywhere. That’s him and Chambers staying put then because of injuries.

Guess it’s just Sok and Holding getting sold then at best. Mavro already out on loan so no fee forthcoming there.

Rich

Arteta has said he has the final say on transfers.

That means he’s ok’d Mari, Soares and renewing Luiz.

If he ok’s Willian? And Coutinho?

Serious questions need to be asked.

Emery was overruled, If Arteta accepts this sh*t show? His decision making needs to be questioned.

And there’s no way we should be selling Niles or Nelson, maybe loans, providing we extend, but we’ll regret letting them go.

Guns of SF

I do hope that we are secretly doing some really good deals and all this willian and coutinho crap is a smoke screen

that we are going to be surprised with what Raul brings in…
I can only HOPE!

Up 4 grabs now

If mustafi is out till October then he leaves on a free next June. Another player with no sell on. Well done arsenal.

Guns of SF

Freddie
Sok Holding and Kola. sell em all
not needed

Pedro brought up a great point about these players wanting their big salaries and not moving – wanting to “fight for their place”- (Mr Ozils never ending excuse)

Arsenal is a great place to get rich and not do shit for it

Zacharse

Damn pedro, now write the realistic counter take to this post 🤣

Dissenter

backpass
“Aren’t you getting it, the club claims they don’t have money, less if we don’t win FA cup, we absolutely can’t go into next season without a winger and apparently Arteta sees the need.”

We don’t have money but we are going to spunk money on a 31 year old [turns 32 y/o next month] on a three year 180k weekly wage deal … with ZERO resale value.?

C’mon man

C’mon

Freddie Ljungberg

Guns

Yeah, was talking only CB, of which we have a fuckton but only one with any talent and he’s unproven.
Kola needs to be shipped out too of course if we can find a buyer.

The backpass

WE “How are you going to shoehorn in all of Werner, Havertz, Pulisic, Ziyech, Kovacic, Kante, Mount etc in the side?Werner is a pure 9 and Havertz isn’t best utilised out wide as he’s not the quickest” I lurk around some Chelsea blog from time to time, what I got from there is that Lampard wants to use the formation Ancelloti used when he was in charge. ST: Werner/Giroud/Abraham LW: Pulisic/Werner RW: Ziyech/Odoi Then two 8’s similar to Lampard and Ballack with Essein sitting. Mount/Barkley. Havertz/RLC Kante/kovacic/Gilmour Jorginho to be sold to Juve…that has been the formation since the restart… Read more »

Wasi

Willian definitely improves us , but as good as he is , we cant be buying another Chelsea leftover , who just wants a big deal. Id rather look at Buendia. Young , high potential , Can play 10 and RW. Only behind KDB and Grealish in chances created in the PL. That stat in itself is massive. When you factor in the context that he was playing in the worst PL team with only really 1 goalscorer its crazy. Also if Pepe becomes as good as he can be next season then Willian just drop down to being an… Read more »

Wasi

Cant find Orny saying we are open to selling Mustafi , Holding , Laca , Orny?

Rich

I don’t understand the idea of players taking longer contracts on less money? Europe is skint outside billionaire owners. Why would Sokratis walk out on £4,500,000 left on his current deal, to sign a £35,000, 3 yr £5,460,000 elsewhere? When he can just sit it out until Jan, then sign a bosman elsewhere? The clubs who can afford our cast offs, won’t want anything to do with them, we’ve got the most ridiculous wage bill in the world of football. The price you receive for a player, is linked directly to the size of the contract. I predict loans, and… Read more »

Guns of SF

Buendia is a through ball specialist

Champagne Charlie

“CAS confirm 9 clubs wrote to them in March asking them not to lift Man City’s European ban while City appealed. City never applied for the ban to be lifted. 9 clubs were Arsenal, Burnley, Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool, Man Utd, Newcastle, Spurs and Wolves“

Pep can address the rest as clubs he doesn’t respect off the pitch in due time thanks

The backpass

Dissenter

We dont know how much Willian would be paid as his wages…he is currently on £125,000 pw, again I doubt he signs on a 3 year deal according to what I read on some Chelsea’s blog…

Am not a finance guy, but I believe Willians total worth would round up to at most £22 million. He has the 7th highest chance created in the league, i think that qualifies him a bit in my book.

Lampard came and binned Luiz straight away but wants Willian at all cost.

Personally, I would prefer Depay or Benrahma.

TR7

CC

I am not someone who overhypes a player. If anything I find most players to be overrated. Called out Pogba, Coutinho, Griezman, Pepe, Ozil and many more when most were going gaga over them. Saka however deserves the hype. The guy is very very good. I stand by my comment that he has a better footballing brain than Zaha and it would be silly to reduce him to a back up choice.

Champagne Charlie

TR7 Saka can have a better football brain than numerous, doesn’t mean he’s capable of delivering a consistent output as a first team regular for us. Having a senior player in front of him would do nothing to stunt his ability, and everything to protect the club from the natural growing pains of a teenage player. With due respect, Saka can look as good as he wants right now but what he does in the next 18 months is impossible to predict. Arsenal don’t have the luxury to bank on him, Martinelli, Joelson, Nelson etc. We should have a capable… Read more »

The backpass

“I stand by my comment that he has a better footballing brain than Zaha and it would be silly to reduce him to a back up choice.”

Saka is always going to be a back up choice for next season. I don’t see what you guys see in Saka as a Winger.

LB,LWB or LCM you can see the special player he is and can be, but not as a Winger “Yet” anyway.

The backpass

“The season is long too, put Willian in front of him and he’s still playing 30 games in a season. But if we’re reliant on Saka week after week I’ve no sympathy for the club when we fall short of are targets. Talents need protected as much as exposed.”

Exactly.

WengerEagle

the backpass Havertz isn’t an 8 though, he’s an out and out forward player. A bit similar to Griezmann in that he excels playing centrally just off of the striker. I can’t see how he fits into that, can only presume that Frank’s thinking Ziyech out wide right, Pulisic out wide left and Havertz playing just off of Werner with a CM pivot of Kovacic-Kante maybe. Leaves you with Mount, Gilmour, RLC, Odoi and Barkley to worry about keeping happy which may be easier with Gilmour as he’s a kid but harder for the others who are proven PL talent… Read more »

Jamie

The season is short enough to make predictions on final league positions in October though, right?

WengerEagle

And it looks like Franks given up on Tammy Abraham as the CF. Fact that he was dropped for an ancient Giroud for the crunch period says a lot. As he’s PL proven I think that he’ll get sold as Lamps loves Giroud and trusts him in the bigger games so we’ll see him fill in for Werner over the course of the season when the German’s rested. Abraham will probably fetch 25m ish in the current market as he’s a decent CF albeit raw and has a lot of development left to do. Probably won’t ever kick on to… Read more »

Habesha Gooner

Emi Buendia is On 8 k a week by the way. He is a bargain. A transfer fee of 15 mil at that too. No wonder athletico are interested.

Marko

You got to get in there early Marko and coach young talent

Right but the likes of yourself and Charlie aren’t talking about paying paltry sums when they’re young you’re talking about likely large sums for the likes of Zaha and Graelish.

Marko

I like Saka a lot but if he’s primarily a starter for us next season then we ain’t challenging for shit it’ll be more or less of the same.

The backpass

WE
“Leaves you with Mount, Gilmour, RLC, Odoi and Barkley to worry about keeping happy which may be easier with Gilmour as he’s a kid but harder for the others who are proven PL talent at this stage”

Lampard loves Mount, he will shoehorn him into the starting eleven but i agree with the others, love to see how Lampard manages him.

I think Project Abraham is well and truly dead, wouldn’t be surprised he scores this Saturday though.

It would be lovely if he( Abraham) went back to Villa, they don’t have a good striker.

The backpass

Manages them*

Marko

Loftus Cheek could be a decent pick up

The backpass

Marko

“Loftus Cheek could be a decent pick up”

He hasn’t really kicked on since coming back from his injury, solid player though.

TR7

Loftus Cheek is a good shout, solid player.

Marko

Incredible if Abraham at 22 gets discarded for that donkey Giroud.

TR7

I like Declan Rice too, good player.

Samir

I would take Aarons (won’t happen after Cedric)
Buendia
Loftus Cheek
Saar
Deulofeu

Radio Raheem

Kulusevski (Parma)

Traore (Sassuolo)

Both 20 good players for potential project youth 2

Marko

Kulusevski has already been signed up by Juve. We’ve been linked to the Traore kid though

The backpass

I quite like Musa barrow (bologna), his playstyle is similar to Mane…. But buying him effectively stunts Saka development 😂 , but he is certainly one to watch for.

Marko

I definitely hope for another Martinelli/Saliba signing this summer. It’d be great if it was a regular thing to look at and sign up really highly rated young prospects. A good habit to have

The backpass

Fofana (udinese).. Mixture of Ramsey and Doucoure.

Radio Raheem

Barrow is a good shout. Hasn’t got great stats yet but using eye test look a level above Nketiah. Same with Leao at Milan.

Radio Raheem

*looks

The backpass

RR “Barrow is a good shout. Hasn’t got great stats yet but using eye test look a level above Nketiah. Same with Leao at Milan” Definitely, miles ahead… I quite wonder what Arteta sees in him though. Regarding Leao, we should have gotten Ocampos instead of Edu.. I don’t know how he keeps finding them, definitely the dortmund of France. Leao bought in 2018 from sporting for free sold to Acmilan 2019 for €27 million Euros. Pepe bought in 2017 for €10 million sold to us for £72 million. Osimehin bought for £13 million in 2019 and sold for €60… Read more »

WengerEagle

This Kulusevski boy for Parma is fucking brilliant. Real gem of a player, Juventus weren’t messing about already have him signed up.

WengerEagle

Barrow is an amazing prospect, great shout. He’s capable of playing wide or through the middle, he’s a very good dribbler/passer and he’s scoring for fun over in Serie A. 6 foot albeit has a slight build which he can no doubt bulk up a bit, still only 21. He’s owned by Atalanta but they already have Duvan Zapata a world class CF option and Luis Muriel who’s another top CF and is scoring at a laughably high rate off the bench. Definitely gettable for 35 million ish and is the exact kind of player we ought to replace Lacazette… Read more »

Marc

Un

Do you think we’ll be in the mix for 4th?

I’m really struggling to see any positives for next season right now.

Champagne Charlie

“Right but the likes of yourself and Charlie aren’t talking about paying paltry sums when they’re young you’re talking about likely large sums for the likes of Zaha and Graelish.“ Again you’re taking the top shelf talent and equating it to the norm. That’s not what I’ve said, and my view of domestic talent isn’t confined to this window. Already said Buendia, Aarons, Deulofeu, Sarr, Ake You’re equating the “value” of them having PL experience (which is my point), with the value of the transfer fee. You need to switch on to what’s being said because you’re arguing the wrong… Read more »

Radio Raheem

Edu brought in to look the other way as one poster on here said. There are enough qualified people for the job in Europe so can’t see why bring Edu in through an agent too! Raul is quite simple to think we’ll all be taken in by Edu being an ex-player. There is always some spin what they do it seems. We need more technocrats not these marketing types: all flash no substance.

WengerEagle

Outs:

Kolasinac- 10 million
Guendouzi- 10-15 million
Xhaka- 20 million
Lacazette- 35 million
Chambers- 10-15 million
Bellerin- 15 million
Sokratis- 5 million
Nelson- 5 million
Mkhitaryan- 10 million
Elneny- 5 million
Mavropanos-5 million

That’s close to 150 million you’d generate in sales and out of that list you’d only really miss Lacazette and not to any terrible degree at that.

The backpass

WE

There are some players you watch them once and you know what they are capable of, Barrow is one… Fantastic player.

I’d prefer he stays in Italy next season to continue his development, I wouldn’t be shocked if Liverpool went for him though.

Freddie Ljungberg

WE Kolasinac- 10 million – maybe if we’re lucky, he’s on high wages Guendouzi- 10-15 million – we’ll get at least double that for him Xhaka- 20 million – I’d take a rusty screwdriver for him Lacazette- 35 million – tops Chambers- 10-15 million – injured, not going anywhere Bellerin- 15 million – we’ll probably get more if we decide to sell him but can’t see that happening, maybe if we’re lucky and he pushes for a move Sokratis- 5 million – about right if he doesn’t decide to sit on his contract Nelson- 5 million – doubt we’re sell=ng… Read more »

Marc

Un

That is too low but he’s got plenty others to high, personally I doubt we’d raise that much from those players – he has missed off AMN.

My concern is that we’re going to have to sell to offset losses before selling to buy. People don’t seem to be doing the math on where we are.

Marc

Freddie’s take is more likely in my opinion.

Freddie Ljungberg

Marc

There’s talk of us having a 30m budget without EL..

We came in 8th and our squad needs a massive injection of talent still even after 2 years of repairs just to not fall further behind, there would be fucking riots if we sold off players just to pay off a deficit in the budget. Can’t see that happening.

Marko

You’re equating the “value” of them having PL experience (which is my point), with the value of the transfer fee.

Right but transfer fee is of course very important and my point still stands that premier league experience is still overrated. If you’re good enough you’re good that we should narrow our view to signings with premier league experience is rigid because it keeps us from picking up potential bargains or even better quality elsewhere. Like I said before I hope that isn’t a route the club is going down and I don’t think it is thankfully.

Freddie Ljungberg

Marc

It was the screwdriver that convinced you huh?

WengerEagle

If we sell that list, I’d like to see this squad for next season: GK: Leno, Martinez [Sorted] RB: New RB, Cedric, AMN. CB: Saliba, David Luiz, Holding, Pablo Mari, Mustafi. In an ideal world we’d sell Mustafi and bring in a new CB but don’t see this happening. [Sorted] LB: Tierney, Cedric, Saka. [Sorted] CM: Need at least x2 players here to go along with Toreirra, Xhaka and Willock. I don’t see Xhaka getting sold so think people will have to get accustomed to that thought unfortunately. I’d like us to bring in 3 players in midfield maybe 2… Read more »

Marko

Do people not realize Mhiki is gone already? He had his final year cancelled and joined Roma already no?

Marc

Freddie

Doesn’t matter what people think – we were losing money with EL football and we might miss out on that now. ST revenue could be almost non existent and the impact of no or limited fans in the ground on other match day revenue.

We rolled the dice last season and lost big time, which could still get worse. My usual take is see what happens and ignore the media bullshit but right now I can’t see things looking anything but dire.

WengerEagle

Unn

Eh, he’s pretty shite. Not cut out at all for the top level. I’d take 5 million just to get him off the wage bill, doesn’t add anything for us. Maybe could fetch ten.

Marc

Freddie

“It was the screwdriver that convinced you huh?”

I’m just glad you didn’t suggest a boomerang it’d come back with Xhaka attached to it!

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Think your premature in writing Nelson off Peter.

Give him a chance ffs

Champagne Charlie

Marko

Of course, it’s “overrated” which is why Pepe is getting the ‘first season in England’ treatment.

Swear players on the continent just tickle your balls better.

WengerEagle

Marko

He’s still on the books is he not? Roma were haggling over the fee cause their miserly fuckers, trying to get it below ten million.

Well funny enough he’s done very well over there and he’s still under contract so we should be able to get ten plus for him.

Victorious

Kolasinac- 10 million
Guendouzi- 10-15 million
Xhaka- 20 million
Lacazette- 35 million
Chambers- 10-15 million
Bellerin- 15 million
Sokratis- 5 million
Nelson- 5 million
Mkhitaryan- 10 million
Elneny- 5 million
Mavropanos-5 million

This must be some joke! Could as well give them all up for free,lol

Marko

CB: Saliba, David Luiz, Holding, Pablo Mari, Mustafi. In an ideal world we’d sell Mustafi and bring in a new CB but don’t see this happening. [Sorted]

Sorted indeed. What is it with people thinking that it’s okay to forget about the defence because all of a sudden they realize what a shit show the midfield is. Fuck me that the midfield is a disaster doesn’t change the fact that the defence still is a priority to fix. None of our defenders are good enough there’s a massive lack of quality in that area

WengerEagle

Freddie Yeah and look much of it depends on the player’s ambition to play football again in the case of Kolasinac, Xhaka and Ozil who AW out of the goodness of his heart stuck on six figure plus a week wages. We all know by now that we’re already honeydicked by Ozil and that he’s here to stay and bleed us dry but you’d hope that Kola at 27 still has some semblance of playing ambition and Xhaka too if Arteta wants to upgrade. A Bundesliga club would happily take Kola for reduced wages. Bellerin’s so clearly shot, knees are… Read more »

Victorious

Willian is a freebie and might be coming because we’re keeping the powder dry for midfield,That’s where the big bulk is going into this summer

Think Guen and Tore will leave and well sign Partey and maybe Buendia/Szobozlai

Marc

There have been a lot of rumours that Kolas wife wants to go back to Germany – that might help us with him lowering his wage demands but we won’t pick up serious money.

WengerEagle

‘Sorted indeed. What is it with people thinking that it’s okay to forget about the defence because all of a sudden they realize what a shit show the midfield is. Fuck me that the midfield is a disaster doesn’t change the fact that the defence still is a priority to fix. None of our defenders are good enough there’s a massive lack of quality in that area’ I don’t like any of them myself other than Saliba and Holding but come on fella, Mari and Saliba are new signings and Luiz is clearly an Arteta favourite which leaves Holding and… Read more »

WengerEagle

Vic

What values are a joke? Be interested to see what you reckon we’d fetch for each.

Marko

Of course, it’s “overrated” which is why Pepe is getting the ‘first season in England’ treatment. Very overrated given most of the premier league’s best players are imports with no prior experience in England. Swear players on the continent just tickle your balls better. Nah it’s more partially based on the fact that I don’t anything with xenophobic undertones and based on past examples. As I said before had we gone down the route you’re thinking we would have never signed up some of our best players over the years. But again luckily it doesn’t seem like Mikel is likely… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

“Nah it’s more partially based on the fact that I don’t anything with xenophobic undertones and based on past examples. As I said before had we gone down the route you’re thinking we would have never signed up some of our best players over the years.“ Such a puerile argument, it’s honestly a waste of time with you on some subjects because you refuse to even open your ears to what’s being said. Now it’s xenophobic to consider players with PL experience a bonus to adapting to Arsenal and letting us hit the ground running next season – a season… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Marc Yes, we’re losing money from Europe and no fans but we have also cut costs elsewhere so I don’t think it’s as bad as it seems. Kroenke buying up our loan is supposed to free up 20m a year and we don’t have to keep 36m in the bank as security. We slashed a fair chunk off the wage bill last summer (come at me with your 1 year old “proof” that we didn’t Val) I don’t think we’ll spend a lot but we can improve this team significantly with a negative net spend. Ceballos on loan – Soumare… Read more »

Victorious

Kolasinac- 10 million Guendouzi- 10-15 million Xhaka- 20 million Chambers- 10-15 million Bellerin- 15 million Nelson- 5 million WE Your speculated figures are all over the place imho Guendouzi was brought in for 7M and having established himself as a starter with over 100 senior appearances for the club will go for 10-15M? No way I think somewhere 30M considering his age and potential Nobody is buying Kolasinac for 10M,will bite off the hand offering 5M Nelson will fetch way more than 5M We rejected 27 M for Xhaka in January now after some major improvement in his overall play… Read more »