January 2023 Transfer Thread

Excellent post! No surprise about this 3 mos confirmation, but UGH.

As for incomings, I assume that "C" is a key factor, and I take it on faith that your assessment of Thuram & Depay is correct, that they have fairly similar abilities to Jesus.

As for getting Felix on loan, there are at least 2 obstacles I see: 1) he's still at WC and we don't know for how long and what his condition will be upon return, and 2) Isn't saying "we don't have the best relationship with Atletico" understating it? I was under the impression that we poisoned that well with the way we took Partey from them. Also, Felix is still kinda slight.... is his fortitude proven enough for a stint in EPL?

 

This is my biggest worry with Felix
Maybe throw Goncalo Ramos into the mix. He is signed through 2026 with Benfica so would likely cost a small fortune to buy, especially after his performance today. However, could we convince Benfica to loan him as a means to prop up his value even more?

 

People like the idea of Thuram because of his size and athleticism and last name, but he just hasn’t ever really had the output that would justify the hype. He’s also only a few months younger than Jesus, so it isn’t as if he’s still this raw youngster with enormous potential.

Still, if his contract situation really means we could actually buy him for less than £20m or so, I’d probably do it and hope our wingers and midfielders and Arteta (and maybe an addition or two) can unlock something in him.

 

The point with Thuram is that until this season he has primarily played on the wing or as a second striker. So he has the tools and experience to be the third winger Arsenal have wanted to add. But this season, leading the line, he is already on 13 goals and 3 assists in all competitions, showing the flexibility to play through the middle too.

I wouldn’t buy Depay, he’ll be 29 in February, but if no one shows interest in buying him in the January window, Barcelona might be willing to let him go on loan to a team willing.to pay his full salary, ~€200k per week, to lower their wage bill. Arsenal could then make a decision on whether to try to sign him permanently at the end of the season when his contract expires. The problem with this scenario is Barcelona might hold out until the end of the window looking for a buyer, so he probably wouldn’t be available until February.

 

There may be better options out there than Thuram but there is opportunity cost as well. You also have to think that Arteta just this past summer made a commitment to Jesus. It is highly unlikely that we go and get someone like Osimhen the following Jan (except on loan). Anyone that we target is likely going to be thought of as short term, multi positional or opportunistic purchase.

 

i'm not sure i see depay as a 'buy' option. why buy? he nearly went to italy on loan during the last window. buying him would be wasteful but loaning? might be an option.

 

I think its because he has 6 months left on his contract, at least thats what I have seen people suggest, would they let him go on loan then leave on a free?

 

If they get the entirety of his wages off the books, they probably would.

 

as @Tonerl said, to get his wages off their book. if they're lucky, maybe a few bucks in loan fee.

there is also no reason for depay to sign a contract for a transfer. he'd be immensely stupid to. he can wait 6 months and sign a contract on a free that usually results in higher wage. (you're welcome, cedric.)

 

🚨 Evan Ndicka (23), out of contract with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt next summer, ‘has already reached an agreement with Arsenal for June’. AS Roma had wanted to sign centre-back in January, but he told them he was going to run down his contract. [@ilRomanistaweb] #afc pic.twitter.com/s5MhZYQRLS

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) December 9, 2022

 

🚨 Atletico Madrid have placed an £86m price tag on Joao Felix, alerting clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea & Manchester United. Most suitors would likely prefer an initial loan move with an option to buy, but could be charged a sizeable loan fee. [@NizaarKinsella, Standard] #afc pic.twitter.com/JzZzstm6Kj

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) December 9, 2022

 

Do it

 

Another center back who has also played left back occasionally.

 

Tall, left footed CB who is only 23? SIGN HIM UP.

 

He’s not as good as Gabriel, for all those who want him out of the team.

But he is good and has upside.

 

plus bundesliga seems to be an okay adapt but with an adjustment period.

 

I like Gabriel, my concern is he is playing a lot of games because we lack a left footed LCB.

 

He has played his best for us out left

never once been a false 9 so I don’t get the narrative

he wasn’t great as an 8 and we don’t use a 10 either

 

Guys I’m really confused by this esr as a striker shit

not once pmayed there, was a rw at Huddersfield, spent time as a ten and only played well as a left inside forward for us

I feel like Eddie can step up but he needs another player as backup

 

I just remembered we also have Nuno on loan at Marseilles. If we buy any more defenders, it seems we will almost certainly be selling one of the defenders we already have.

I wonder if Ndicka is cover for Holding. Super Bob’s contract is up in summer 2024, perhaps we offload him?

 

Watching Joao Felix right now, who’s having a good game, in a losing effort against morocco. I’ve had a hard time imagining Arsenal signing him, and continue to do so.