OUR SUMMER IS GOING TO BE THIS:
ARSENAL OFFER <LESS THAN ASKING PRICE> TO ATLETI
ATLETI SAY NO
ARSENAL OFFER <SLIGHTLY MORE THAN PREVIOUS FAILED BID> TO ATLETI
ATLETI SAY NO
ARSENAL OFFER <SLIGHTLY MORE THAN PREVIOUS FAILED BID> TO ATLETI
… and so on.
It seems that we’ve offered them the deal I suggested a few weeks ago… they get an u20 French midfielder + some money. That is not tickling Simeone.
Remember though, Atleti is in deep shit on the money front. They used one of those fancy lending firms that ‘ease cashflow in football’ to fund a bunch of their deals, now they are drowning in shit. They likely want the £50m because that’ll help ease their €500 million debt burden. They’ll also want to save face, a bit like Palace last season with Zaha (lol).
I have no idea if they’ll do a deal with us, but it might be easier for them than forking out a double-your-salary deal for the Ghanaian.
Talks seem to be gathering pace that Dani Ceballos has no chance under Zidane next season, and he’s believed to be keen to join Arsenal for another year, when it is hoped Arsenal might be able to muster the funds to buy him. That works for me, he’s been a revelation since he returned from the breaks. He’s an all-action player that needs to work on his final ball, but it certainly looks like he could be capable of growing into that role in the double pivot. He might looks quite good next to someone like Partey.
ESR is 20! Happy Birthday, let’s hope he lands some minutes next year, the hopes are VERY high for him.
The Coutinho and Willian rumours continue to stink out the internet, I really think you need to brace for impact there. I think at least one of the players will end up at Arsenal next season. No offence to the player, who I think is decent, but the deal will just double down on two things.
- Raul doesn’t learn from his mistakes
- Leadership at Arsenal is a touch bland
- Raul and Edu do not care one jot that the English press is scrutinising their super-agent best friend deals
Edu really is embarrassing, brought in to be a fine smelling, very handsome, Invincible™-so-he-must-love-us cover to allow Raul to do whatever he pleases. It’s all super disappointing, but I won’t lose too much sleep over it until it happens. THEN I WILL NOT SLEEP AND I WILL RAGE.
David Ornstein says we’ll hear offers for Reiss, Sokratis, Holding, Guen, Torreira, and Mustafi. To be honest, I think we’d listen to offers for most of our players. There aren’t many that are indispensable.
Man, I’m depressing myself out here. A short one today, listen to my LATEST podcast with an actual person this week. Then tomorrow, we start talking FA CUP FINAL WOOO YES HIT ME WITH THE JOY BATON! No, that sounds weird. Inject joy into my veins? No… just, you know, show up tomorrow and we’ll have lovely post for you.
Un Alberto is not on the up and up. He had an excellent 17/18 , then an average 18/19 and then again an excellent 19/20. Coutinho has been very good/excellent consistently for 5-6 seasons other than the 1 average Barcelona season. Also those stats put him in 95+ percentile for a lot of attacking stats. Dont know what more do you want. He is not waning , he had an average season for a side playing under a very Emery-like manager.He bounced back for Bayern. If we are looking in that age bracket(26+) , then I’d rather go for the… Read more »
Also pre 17/18 , Alberto was consistently poor.
Poopoo players like Xhakalson, Mustafinovs, Laca are doing well in diet Peps system but he is limiting brilliant players like Pepe, Torr, Guend, Kola, Auba, Saka
Im telling you for free!
Buendia is a good shout. But his goal numbers are pretty low ( 1 PL goal all season ) . If CL is not a necessity next season then I’d take a Buendia over a Coutinho.
Or better yet , convince Szoboslai to join.
Dissenter
What exactly is this Predicament that Arsenal are in? Common man, signing a Coutinho isn’t going to see go into administration anytime soon, pretty sure the club isn’t run by amateurs and sure the owners would notice and all that.
Point is if those running the club say they can do a deal for a Coutinho, then what’d the point over thinking and overflogging it really. He’s either going to do well or he won’t, that money ain’t coming directly out of your pocket so what’s the fuss exactly really.
Klopp/Barca reject Coutinho, Zidane reject Ceb should be prefer to play under beta managers because both lack longstuff, birds if a feather
Dissenter the implication was that it was going to be a hefty 24 or 27 million loan fee. You know the usual shite. As Charles says wages seems to be included sparingly whenever someone wants to take a massive shit on a potential signing. Shocking I know
Don’t see United fans getting all emotional and turning into Accountants because their club might be signing Sancho for 90/100 million despite whatever else is going on. Brighton have just signed Lallana on a free for what will be high wages and also no resale value e.t.c. e.t.c. and they barely stayed in the league and you don’t see their fans going on and on about the money spent too. Point is if a player of that quality is available and the club are pushing to get him here, then don’t see why whatever is being paid should get anyone… Read more »
Dissenter
Lol, Coutinho earns €210,000 per week that is roughly 11.5 million Euros.
He is also said to take a paycut to come to arsenal.
Overblowing it much?
From barca’s site
https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1313389/agreement-with-bayern-munich-for-philippe-coutinho-loan
Common man, signing a Coutinho isn’t going to see go into administration anytime soon
Are you kidding me Bati after so soon after the Denis Suarez loan fee nearly killed us and not to mention the 24 million Luiz fee we’re practically dying here
Marko
Go back and check my original post, I didn’t write ‘loan fee’. I was referring to the total cost, more so for one on mega wages.
Coutinho to bayern
8.5 million as loan fee
11.5 million in wages.
Barca has said they would pay part of Coutinho’s wages to go out on loan.
5 million loan fee and 7 million in wages….Lovely stuff.
Bati
You’re comparing us with United in terms of finances?
Lol
Luis Albert would cost so much, just recently signed a 3 year extension ( yesterday I think).
Luis Alberto*
“If mega rich Barca and Bayern don’t want his talent on the books then why the hell should we?”
Because we aren’t up to Bayern and Barca..
FFS, Sanchez was thrown out of Barca at the age of 24.
I’ll prefer we sign a cheaper raw midfielder and let him use next season to acclimatize to the English game and culture.
We are too consumed with short term fixes at Arsenal.
Un na na There are folks who get paid to make sure the clubs finances aren’t dodgy or anything like that. If Arteta wants Coutinho and feels he’ll be part of what he needs to get us back into the top4 then it’s the job of the club to make sure they provide him with such as long as they’ve checked the finances and seen it’s a possible deal is my point. We can name transfer targets all we want really but end of the day, we don’t know which deals are feasible or not or which players the manager… Read more »
Un
“Doubt we’d get him. Just saying he’s a player I like and he wouldn’t cost half of what Coutinho would cost at £60-£80m and £240k pw”
Except, Coutinho wouldn’t cost as much, presently on 210,000 EUROS, and ready to take paycut.. and immediately improves us.
Coutinho to bayern 8.5 million as loan fee
11.5 million in wages.
That’s Euros btw but apparently we’re going to spend even more to get Coutinho on loan. That extra 4 million must go straight to Kia’s greesy palm. Question though if Kia is such a nefarious villian how come Bayern Munich deal with him? Very odd
Dissenter
Aren’t they in a ton of debt themselves over at United?
Again my point is, we as fans don’t have to comb through every deal looking at the financial implication or all of that stuff if you ask me. Last couple of seasons we’ve either had 20/30/40/50 million to spend and we end up spending much more so again, what’s the point.
Dissenter
“I’ll prefer we sign a cheaper raw midfielder and let him use next season to acclimatize to the English game and culture.
We are too consumed with short term fixes at Arsenal.”
Yeah like Pepe 24, Tierney 22, Martinelli 18, Guendouzi 19, Torreira 22,Saliba 18.
You know we can do both.
A 28 year old coutinho doesn’t need to acclamatize, he has been here and done that, easy transition.
Theres a big difference between a 24 year old industrious player Sanchez and a 28 year old looking for one last payday
Im telling you for free!
Un
“Anyway
It’s becoming a bit repetitive this debate. We will just have to wait and see.
Personally I hope we put all of our funds into arsenal players of the future. Not over priced loans”
Fair enough.
You know you’re down the rabbit hole when you’re arguing with Don and Dissenter on the same thing
Also Dissenter You’re advocating raw unproven signings to add to a vastly average squad filled already with lots of raw unproven young players which would most likely see us again finish outside the positions to make more money. You know it doesn’t work that way right? Like Charlie has pointe out, we already have so much young and raw talent especially in midfield, a senior head like Coutinho for a year alongside the youngsters and whatever other signings made should be good enough with good coaching to get us back into the upper regions of the league. Take off your… Read more »
“That’s what the chavs thought about Fernando Torres”
Except Torres was coming off his worst season as a Liverpool player, same with Sanchez when Man united bought him from us.
“Charlie You didn ‘t read that article to the end It cost Bayern about 33 million euros along with his wages.“ No I read it entirely, he went for 8 mil euros. That’s how much he cost Bayern up front. How he fit into their wage structure wasn’t/isn’t my concern as it wouldn’t be with us. The amount of dead wages we’ve paid the last 5 years and you’re squirming over wages for a proper player. You have issue with Auba’s deal too don’t you? Arsenal have short term needs as well as long term goals. You can’t pick long… Read more »
Interesting,….
The Le Grove dimwits want Courtinhio
The Le Grove scholars dont….
Harsh but fair?
Un
Thats your personal choice and I completely agree.
Alberto might light up the Prem.
For me if you are signing a 26+ yo it just makes sense to sign a complete article , someone who will surely work out and give you what you want.
If Coutinho is 210 k a week and willing to take a pay cut then his wages wont be much higher than Alberto who will most definitely demand good wages (150k + at least ) after dropping a 15 assist season.
And the Le Grove dimwits were probably the exact same folk, who were singing the praises of David Luiz, when he arrived.
Page 1 of the soccer manual,
Dont buy multi- millionaire rejects ,target hungry players on the way up.
Think peak Wenger
I like Coutinho. And he would Improve us Instantly. But I don’t like the Idea we are paying a hefty wage to someone that is not going to be here next season. I would actually like to loan a CB because we already have a CBs injured. But we would be talking about our creative problems when he leaves again. We need to fix it permanently this summer. Buendia, szoboszlai, Fekir, Van de beek, Odegaard, Auoar, Grealish all available depending on our budget. We need to sort our midfield out this summer. No kicking the can down the road. We… Read more »
Un
The thing about Coutinho is that, he was having a great season as a 10 with Kovac, but when he was sacked Flick brought back Muller from the cold, and shifted Coutinho wide this in turn leads to drop in performance and Coutinho was rightly dropped.
He was fantastic against spurs as a 10 under Kovac.
Can someone please provide a constructive appraisal of young Mr Willock.
I’m not sure what he offers the team at present.
Is he really that special?
Imo, he needs toughening up. Maybe a year on loan to a club like WBA or Leeds would benefit him and, ultimately, us.
Divine Sherlock, Countinho used to the main man at Liverpool. Klopp had a system where he was given a free role. He could roam wherever he wanted and shoot on sight. Liverpool has changed. In fact Klopp has changed system twice since Countinho left. There is no central CAM anymore. They have a dribbler on the left Mane, a finisher on the right with Salah, a linker in the middle with Firmino and both fullback provide further threat by launching long passes. If Countinho were to go back he would have to play for Mane and Salah and defend a… Read more »
The Le Grove dimwits want Courtinhio
Dimwits you say
Marko I haven’t seen the final2019/20 numbers but it’s highly likely the TV money received by Arsenal ,even before you factor in any rebates due to COVID , would have be less Not only is the domestic merit money going to be around £9 million less but the clubs voted to change the way that international broadcast money is distributed. The top 6 now take a significantly higher proportion that those finishing in places 7-20 Add on top of that there will have been less EL monies and it is estimated that the two big commercial deals will be reduced… Read more »
Maybe he will need a second or third season?
Hey weren’t you arguing with me about premier league experience being vitally important yesterday. Hmmm
You might not like Coutinho but he was producing early on at Bayern till Kovac was sacked and Muller was brought back into the Squad.
He effectively played as 10 operating in the left channel, which can also be LCM. Very similar to David Silva’s late role at Man city under Guardiola.
Batistuta My view is that our makeover has to be done with a long term. I was prepared to accept giving Arteta 2-4 years if the club was committed to the future by signing younger players with high ceilings. If we don’t make the tough changes now when we are 10th, when will we ever make them? I don’t believe a club that’s out of Europe should be paying 31 year old strikers [with no resale value] wages of 250k [excluding bonuses]. I wouldn’t spend that much on a loan fee as high as Coutinho will demand. Don’t forget that… Read more »
“There are cheaper alternatives that could do a better job next season AND leave money for more signings AND they could all be here the following seasons AND make the club money in a year or two and be our countinho. As in our cash cow. “ Not been taken by any of your apparent alternatives. Either involve a much larger transfer fee up front, or have a lot less chance of offering the pedigree next season when it’s needed most. The figures mentioned on here are barely reliable from which to judge too, he’s been quoted having £250k per… Read more »
“They think that they have found the perfect useful idiot to place him in a still “big” club without having to lower their wage demand.”
Absolute rubbish from Valentin yet again, you think Arsenal would pay him 210,000 per week?
There are report in Spain and in england that Barca are ready to Pay part of his wages and it was reported today that he will be willing to take a pay cut for his next move.
He already slashed his wages just to complete the season
*He already slashed his wages by 50% or so just to complete the season at bayern.
Napoli about to splash out about 60-70 million for Oshimen. Don’t they know they’re supposed to have fuck all money
Dissenter What’s wrong with paying your best player, best striker only guaranteed source of goals 250k a week which is the going rate these days? How much do you think the top talent go for these days by the way? Other means of reducing the wage structure at the club than selling off your best striker for what would be peanuts in the current market because good luck finding anyone to pay you 50k for Auba with one year left on his deal. He loves playing for the club, is out captain and best player so pay him and cut… Read more »
Marko, do you think Napoli x Lille is an above-board operation that shows that a global pandemic hasn’t affected club finances?
Marko
It’s like i said earlier, clubs will find a way to do business no matter the circumstance so it shouldn’t really be an excuse for Arsenal like some folks are trying to make it out to be
“Jack Grealish is undecided about his future. Aston Villa want to keep him and would not sell him for less than £80m. Arsenal are one of the clubs who registered an interest in signing him. The interest was not followed up. – Sky”
Yea nice one,
Arsenal: ‘you guys selling Grealish this summer?’
Villa: ‘yea 80 mil’………..*phone disconnects*
When Kovac was in charge at Bayern, he played as a No10, as soon as the system was changed his performance dropped. A player can publicly states that he is willing to take a pay cut, but one that does not mean that in private his agent will let him do, two that it is legal. There is lot of country where it is illegal to force employees to take lower wage without a completely new contract being drafted beforehand. When a player publicly states that he will accept lower wage, there is more than a whiff that he is… Read more »
I find it quite sickening that, even now, money still dominates the game.
To be honest, it’s killing the game.
CC
If you were United CEO and you had only 90 million to spunk on that special player.
Who would you get ? Sancho or Grealish?
I kinda know your answer but go for it
Valentin
“When a player publicly states that he will accept lower wage, there is more than a whiff that he is desperate to move. Even at half his wage £105kpw the number of clubs who could afford him financially and sportively is still limited.”
No shit, Everybody knows he is desperate to move on from barca.
You think paying £105kpw for countiho is bad business?
Bati
I would be more satisfied with Arsenal buying up younger players with higher ceilings and finishing 6th/7th
vs
Arsenal loading up on expensive loanees and older players with no resalable potential finishing 5th place.
I don’t think Aubameyang and expensive loanees like Coutinho pushes us over the hump into 4th place.
We keep rolling the dice and missing the mark …over and over again.
Dissenter
Sancho, he’s a better prospect. I love Grealish but he’s not on that level. Have to laugh at United fans moaning at 80mil for Grealish though, some cheek when you spend 80mil on that big shit defender.
Grealish is top class, would love him at Arsenal over anyone mentioned, but he’s a cash cow for Villa after they’ve stayed up. Will be holding onto him for a year, and spending the money they’ll make next year from his sale to try and consolidate themselves this season in the prem. Would put money on it.
Unai na
I think BVB’s greed will save United from that making tough decision. They want over 100 million for Sancho which is just lunacy.
I agree that United don’t need Grealish that much unless they are selling Pogba.
The latest podcast also hinted at the possibilty of Pepe being moved on after just one season.
Wow.
No leaf unturned it seems.
Grealish as good as he is , is not an 80mil player Not yet , at least.
Has the talent and potential.
Wouldn’t speculate on transfers at least untill the outcome of the cup final, alot is really riding on that game and I’ll be shocked if we bring in quality players without Europe football
Cant see the likes of Partey and Coutinho joining a midtable team without even the lowly Europa football to offer, think many of the transfer experts on here will be mightily disappointed
Put into perspective what big Weng did for this club really, locking in top4 for years with modest players.
If Villa want to have Holding, Eddie and Nelson for Grealish I’d be all about it, otherwise our “interest” is purely academic. Because a scrunched up tenner isn’t going to cut it.
Bellerin 25, AMN 22, Saliba 19, Holding 24, Tierney 24, Saka 18, Ceballos 23, Guendouzi 21, Torreira 23, Chambers 25, ESR 20, Willock 20, Pepe 25, Nelson 20, Martinelli 18, Nketiah 20.
16 out of 26 outfield players are 25 and below, we will be fine.
Next season at least 5 would leave. Adding a 28 year old wouldn’t be the end of the world.
I don’t think Europa League or no Europa League will make a huge difference.
If there is no CL a player comes to play in the EPL with a big wage rather than having any thought about Europa League.
Either Arsenal have some more money down the back of the sofa to surprise us or they haven’t regardless of Europa League.
As we know this club never restructures to any great extent in getting players out and getting new players in so talk of this nature is a waste of time.
Un, everyone is a ghostwriter… no opinion is original. I just steal your ideas.
45 to 50 mil is fair for Grealish. More than that anyone would be over paying like we did for pepe.
At arsenal I’d go for grealish all day long. If we had £90m to spend on such outrageous talents
Argues against the cost of loaning Coutinho meanwhile would spend 90 million on Graelish. Couldn’t make it up
Europa league places alone attracts some much needed funds to add to a very paltry budget in getting one or two of these players over the line,we wouldnt have to hassle so much in cases when clauses are meant to be triggered, we need as much as we can get this summer really
It also means more games for the youngsters to further enhance their development,more playing time and experience to handle real EPL football, I think its very pivotal in this very summer we’re getting into
Un.
Naturally 25 is when a player is said to be entering his prime..so 25 is the benchmark. You might as well start from 20 years in that case.
Except, Coutinho would be a midfield player not a forward and he would be replacing Ozil in the squad.
Midfielders.
Xhaka 27
Ceballos 23
Torreira 23
*Guendouzi 21
Willock 20
ESR 20
*Ozil 31
Adding a 28 year old to this is not bad.
Pedro
What have you been hearing about players?
Give us the exclusive Mayo
Whoever gets Grealish this summer will end up overpaying, no doubt, the English media will have you believe he’s on Messi and Ronaldo’s level already,lol a club is seriously going to be mugged off on that lad.
CG
Think peak Wenger.
Yeah Denilson or Sanogo right .
Grealish is overhyped. Anything more than 40M for him is money poorly spent in my opinion.
Valentin
You dont think playing 4-3-3 Coutinho easily slots into the midfield alongside Ceballos and Xhaka . Arteta tried 4-3-3 with Saka and Willock it didnt work much cos they lack experience . However with Coutinho that would be easy . Its only because Ozil is unavailable that Arteta has to change formations because creatively there is no CAM to play with . hence the 3-4-3 .
I don’t think Grealish leaves villa this transfer window with the ridiculous price set for him.
Who has £80 million to pay for him?
Man united, maybe but he would be on the bench, so no.
Man city, maybe but they have foden and are set to complete a deal for Ferran Torres.
For 50 million, I’d say forget Partey and get him.
Napoli are also in the Europa League next season. Can’t believe they’re making 70 million signings
Un
Thats your opinion though. Man united under Ole have been buying 25 and under bar the Ighalo loan.
Lets assume Coutinho was 25 years instead of 28, would you prefer it?
We can’t sell both torriera and Guendouzi. If we do we need at least 2 more CMs before ceballos loan and thinking about a CAM.
I would not touch Graelish at all. Any sort of high price wouldn’t justify his signing. Even if it’s a really conservative 40-50 million we could get the likes of Szoboszlai and Gabriel for the price of a Graelish. Don’t get me wrong he’s a good player but he’s overhyped and overpriced. Imo
Un
I believe we will get the ceballos dead done.. Loan and obligation to buy.
First eleven Midfield
Ceballos 23, Partey 27, Coutinho 28
Looks good to me.
Bench
Xhaka 27, Willock 20, Torreira 23, ESR 20.
*deal done
Un
“Backpass Yeah I’d be more inclined to take a 25 year old Coutinho. Definitely”
Fair enough, get where you are coming from.
Backpass,
I have already wrote earlier why I would not touch Countinho. I just think that he would not fit into Arsenal style of play. He is a good player, but the wrong type of player for Arsenal.
A 105kpw great player misfit is still a misfit and more costly than a decent £80kpw perfect fit DM. We need an agile, quick, disciplined, defensively aware and decent passing No8, not a No10. We don’t need somebody who would shoot on sight and roam free and leave a big hole in front of the defense.
I’m sorry, we don’t need a 10??????????????????????
valentin
since i don’t actually care, will you tell me if you are an ozil apologist?
The Championship has come on a fair bit, a very watchable match this Brentford v Swansea.
Valentin
“I just think that he would not fit into Arsenal style of play. He is a good player, but the wrong type of player for Arsenal.”
And what is this Arsenal style of play that doesn’t need coutinho. I’m yet to see this Arsenal’s style of play.
Yeah not buying this Grealish hype. Better value else for the touted £70m.
*elsewhere
Benhranma is such a lovely player to watch.. The skill at around that 25 mins mark where he just skinned 3 sweater player with two touches.
Mbeuno should have also ended the game with the last chance.
*swansea players.
Coutinho- is he a misfit? i didnt follow close but i alw3ays understood it was a thing btwn him and messi and he just never found his footing after anfield. Arg v Brazil kinda thing like neymar (?) i admit to not fully knowing and wouldnt mind a more knowledgable take. Assuming his agent, I’m remembering Oscar, wants him to pull as much as possible with the excuse being ttaking care of extended family etc. That being said, the guy is a proven EPL player, a helluva fucking free kick taker and for the most part can play across the… Read more »
as much as id like to see partey come i think your write up is a clear explanation of why he probably won’t. yes they are strapped and his agent is clearly aware, i think they are obviously testing the water for a better contract but also to how he fits into that team in the frame of a koke. as in will he be there for a decade. i imagine he wants to know now or hit the road for better pay. If he is what we all believe he is i doubt simeone is thinking much differently and… Read more »
3 – 0 Brentford
I am still amazed to see that little girl as “lineslady” .
Nice save from Raya.
“I am still amazed to see that little girl as “lineslady” .”
I actually think she is one of the best if not the best.
Swans building momentum.
I’d like to see how BMW negotiate the Premier league.
If we are serious about replacing santi and unearthing Arsenal’s Busquets and Bruno: Look no further than a midfield of Emi Buendia (Cazorla), Ceballos (Busquets) and (Szo) I am sorry but fuck Coutinho. And Fuck Partey too. He is over 30. Trust me on this. Buendia has close control, uses both feet well, and he is defensively strong. So he does not score many goals, Fuck goals, too. At least from him. He is about creativity.. Szobo is about guile, goals and grace. Play Buendia, Szobo and the New Ceballos and you’ll a midfield with right balance of flair, goals… Read more »
Jansson is such a shit defender. I remember a post saying we should get him from brentford. Pinnock has always been better.
3-1
“I’m sorry, we don’t need a 10??????????????????????” “And what is this Arsenal style of play that doesn’t need coutinho. I’m yet to see this Arsenal’s style of play.” Seriously guys, how long have you been watching football and Arsenal in particular? AFC have only had one modern #10 – Mesut Ozil. And he had what, three good seasons? Don’t forget before Emery, Freddie and now Mikel dumped him Wenger was dropping him and playing him on the wing too. So that’s three seasons or so in the history of the club. And around the English game the creative #10 has… Read more »
I want to see penalty shootout to decide this encounter. One more goal from SWA please.