Defense is better but now the offense sucks - 2021 Jan Transfer Thread

I've heard similar from other sources. I think after "tribulations" the likes of Pepe & Willian, I wouldn't be surprised if the owners said to Mikel & Edu: "look you basically need to generate your own funds this window boys"

 

This feels like a Tim Lewis move.

 

Assuming I'm not the only one asking who...

https://www.arsenal.com/news/tim-lewis-appointed-arsenal-boards

 

We discussed it over the summer in one of the threads relating to Raul's firing, and that he was basically the Kroenkes' eyes and ears here.

Plus, he's a partner at Clifford Chance, and many of us here are lawyers and recognize the name.

 

He’s the lawyer the Kroenke’s brought in to review the clubs operations, including the structure of Pepe’s transfer deal. He is assumed to be responsible for Sanllehi’s departure.

 

we also lost the contract guy so it might be someone to be put in place there.

we don't know how edu will be as a contract negotiator but, so far, the reception from agents is they like him. and, well, if the agents like you and you're supposed to be negotiating with/against them . . . . . . .

 

EXACTLY What I thought.

 

https://apple.news/AuhvxdeypSbi4FclcnY2hIg

This sounds like BS. But if true, the Ozil/Arsenal relationship has become very toxic and I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t arrive at a settlement and he’s still here in February.

 

Conspiracy theories are increasingly popular. This one originated in Turkey and may be a pre prepared excuse if Fenerbache don’t sign him this window. We’re currently experiencing something similar in our politics.

But, to add fuel to the conspiracy, why is Sokratis’ free transfer taking so long?

 

https://talksport.com/football/818515/mesut-ozil-arsenal-fenerbahce-free-transfer-pay-off/

Please let this happen so we can just move on.

 

YES. Let it be true. NBC reported it on one of their pre-game shows today (although only briefly, perhaps as a hedge).

 

Ornstein is on record with it.

 

Which means Arsenal have freed up one unregistered player slot, with a second likely to follow. But they still only have one roster spot for a non homegrown player and with the buyouts for Ozil and Sokratis they likely haven’t saved that much money. So any incoming player this window is probably a loan, unless they buy young and cheap.

 

https://arseblog.news/2021/01/finding-a-back-up-for-kieran-tierney-using-data-and-video-scouting/

This article suggests Lee Buchanan, a 19 yo LB from Derby County, as a backup to Tierney. He'd be homegrown and cheap, suggests he might only cost 3-4m due to Derby's financial troubles.

The Sensible Transfers video on Youtube threw out Reading's Michael Olise as an option. He's played at LW, RW and #10 and tallied 4 goals and 8 assists in 22 matches. He's 19 and French but would be homegrown and supposedly has an 8m release clause.

I'd be on board with signings like this. Low risk, moderate to high reward. Probably more so Buchanan as he provides cover that the squad current lacks. Olise may not be any better than Nelson but could still be a good investment.

 

The last I looked Olise had played most of his games as a 10, so he could serve as competition/backup for Smith-Rowe.

 

andrew on arseblog was talking about how the 120M loan cannot be used for transfers but only administrative things . . . . like buyouts.

 

I suspect that means no transfers, you cant really separate the loan from other funds. If they use the loan to pay buyouts (probably15m max for Ozil and Sokratis) and salaries to free up money for transfers, they have essentially used it for transfers.