Little better but not quite there - 2020 Summer Transfer Thread

Martinez? He is rumored to be headed to Barca for Arthur + cash. That is why they want PEA.

I see what you mean about the cash but if we are gonna lose both PEA (1 yr on contract and asking for 300k/wk) and Laca (Partey trade) we will have to add an experienced ST and replace a good number of goals. In theory, Pepe could pitch in on the goals with some improved MF that takes some of the defensive responsibilities from him and distributes the ball better. That still leaves us needing a ST. Because of his contract situation and all the COVID stuff, the rumors are that we would get between 30-50m in cash for PEA. Who you gonna get better than Icardi for that kind of cash?

 

Seeing more rumors about a possible pursuit of Rabiot on loan with a buy option.

And a new loan to buy.... Ousmane Dembele. Supposedly Barca have decided that he isn't gonna fit. They want 60m euro but in all likelihood aren't getting that this window. So it was suggested that they may be game for a loan with a buy option to get him off the books now and hopefully cash in next summer. We were mentioned as the most likely candidate. Don't like the idea of potentially blocking Saka but a 3 man primary rotation of Saka, Pepe & Dembele for the 2 wing spots sounds VERY enticing.

 

Based on current rumors....

PEA for Icardi
Laca for Partey
Rabiot & Dembele on loan with an option to buy


---------------------- Icardi ---------------------
Saka/Dembele ------- Pepe/Dembele
----------------------- Ozil -----------------------
------------ Rabiot ------- Partey -----------
Tierney ---- Mari ---- Luiz ---- Bellerin

How you feeling about that possibility for next season?
That can technically be accomplished without selling anyone. Offload the surplus (Sokra, Mustafi, Miki, ElNeny, Kola, Xhaka) and those rumored to want out (Torriera) and you have some cash to add some young depth with upside (Kokcu, some Brazilians, Disasi, etc...) and pay off some of Pepe's deal.

 

Unless he shows that he deserves to be the starter in preseason, then yes. I expect him to rotate in and win the role but I do not want to anoint a teenager that has never played a single minute in the EPL yet.

 

Dembele is not a teenager (as I specifically pointed out with Saliba) and while his stay at Barca was not terribly exciting he showed himself capable of playing at a high level in both the French & German leagues. I showed him in rotation in the lineup to demonstrate how I believe the 3 would be used together as all 3 bring a little something different to the position.

I didn't show Saliba in rotation because I don't think it will really be a rotation. I think he will get games in preseason, cup matches, lesser competition, etc... just like any backup until such point that Arteta deems him ready to be starter.

Rabiot & Partey "waltz" into the 11 because they are in their mid to upper 20s and have both demonstrated themselves to be more capable/accomplished MF than what we are currently trotting out. Icardi "waltzes" into the 11 because PEA & Laca are gone in this scenario and the alternative is starting Martinelli or Nketiah over him and I don't see that as happening. 2-3 years from now I could see Martinelli & Nketiah being your primary ST rotation with Icardi gone. Until then Icardi would be the starter.

 

If we are outside of EL/CL entirely I would skip the Icardi & Partey deals for younger players. Would likely still consider loan to buy for Rabiot & Dembele but I would be working towards a roster with a max age of 25.

 

Don't disagree with that at all. I just left him in because there are currently no solid rumors of him being shipped out or replaced. We've had a couple rumors of U20 AMs being brought in but I would not expect them to immediately jump into the lineup ahead of him.

 

Entirely possible and I wouldn't be opposed to him being our vet ST. Not sure how enthused I would be about his rumored 300k/wk salary demands or the idea of letting him go for nothing next summer.

 

Agree. You can bet that Luiz is going nowhere, Xhaka probably isn't yet either. If you decide you need another vet, Santi will be a free agent and has a desire to return to Arsenal in a player and/or coaching role.

 

Seeing reports that Torreira's agent has openly stated that Lucas would like to return to Italy this summer. Right now Milan is the only club listed as being interested but I would imagine that Napoli may be as well given his former Sampdoria manager is now there.

 

Rumor of the morning has us targeting M'Gladbach CB Nico Elvedi to be the future partner for Saliba. Supposedly he may be available for a reduced fee due to a 2021 expiring contract.

 

AC Milan looking like the most logical destination for Lucas Torreira. They are losing Biglia & Bonaventura to free transfers and are shopping Kessie & Paqueta.

I've read some scouting reports and watched film of both Kessie & Paqueta...

Kessie - Physically strong, excellent ball winner, has a knack for covering good distance on the dribble without having to use ball fakes or footwork. Difficult time finding any passing highlights. General assessment... with a little work I think he would make a much better CB than a DM.

Paqueta - described as a scoring AM/SS. Excellent footwork with shades of Brazilian Futsol. Strong on the ball when he wants to be but dives a little too much for my liking. Capable of defending and ball winning when he wants to. Shows greater playmaking ability and passing in tight spaces vs picking out the open runner with a longer pass.

Both show a good bit of potential. I like Kessie's physicality, work rate and ball winning but I am concerned that he would be a project that may never really fit the MF. Paqueta may be a little too much finesse for the EPL. He would need to learn to play with more fundamental ball control and passing but if I'm working a deal I think I would go after Paqueta. Think he has a better chance to make an immediate impact by helping us unlock teams that are parking the bus.

 

I don't know how valid but I've heard some claims that we may not be getting any Swiss players unless we are in Xhaka's good graces. Supposedly many on the NT look up to him and he is the reason Elvedi & Zakaria chose to sign with M'Gladbach.

 

Reading this morning that Benfica is interested in Paqueta and that Arsenal are "strongly engaged" in discussions for Benfica LW Rafa. Given the expectation for an uptick in player swaps this window maybe Arsenal can be a trailblazer and be the first European team to broker a 3 team swap...

Torreira to Milan
Paqueta to Benfica
Rafa to Arsenal

Milan gets the CM they supposedly covet
Benfica gets a young scoring AM to replace the production of Rafa
Arsenal gets a vet LW with speed that can score and create