I suppose someone who wants to buy Vlahovic would. I think Carlos Kaiser was being facetious with their wishlist.
Correct. It's worth pointing out that over the last 4 windows combined (since summer 2021), the club has spent €360m total (with €55m in sales), only 2 players cost more than €35m (Jesus and White) and only one is on more than 150k/week in wages (Jesus). Rice is going to exceed both of those, I don't think it's realistic to expect 4 other players that are also that expensive.
My question with Fresneda is whether he is ready or not at 18yo. He'd be the same age and price tag as Saliba, does he need 3 years on loan before he contributes? Or is he ready to be a rotation option now?
Tend to agree. And why I think the suggestions of Rice AND Caicedo are very unlikely. I do think it is possible that we sign 2 guys other than Rice that are in the 40-50m. The rest I think will be free agents or youngsters.
Very good question. I don't have that answer. One thing to consider, we could potentially buy & loan like we did with Saliba. Everything I've read states that his release clause is 25m. Decent chance you can buy him for less. If you buy this summer it keeps him HG eligible.
On some level, that makes sense, but the club was watching his performances in France and probably could have gotten a new deal in place for something like 100k/week. But fair play to Saliba, he's earned a massive raise. Pay him his 200k/week and get this done.
Seeing more smoke on SMS. Supposedly Inter, Juventus & Arsenal interested. Contract expires in 2024 and rumors suggest that he will be available this summer for 30-40m euro.
🚨🚨 Arsenal are interested in James Maddison [@FabrizioRomano]— Link Up Arsenal (@LinkUpArsenal) May 31, 2023 Maddison was supposed to be headed to Newcastle. They are now rumored to be getting Gabri Veiga instead. Some take that as Newcastle backing away. Others suggest that Maddison found what he feels is a better option. 🚨🚨 Arsenal’s priority is Declan Rice, though he is keeping his options open at the moment, Arsenal are a concrete option but the race is open.Arsenal also want 1 more midfielder, a centre back & a fullback.Arsenal want to sign important players.[@FabrizioRomano]— Link Up Arsenal (@LinkUpArsenal) May 31, 2023 Slightly different than other pundits are saying. Assuming we sign 4 "important" players, I could see this position wishlist being more accurate. If Nelson resigns we have 6 players for 3 positions and most can play 2-3 spots. Think if we add a forward it is highly likely to be one of those young Brazilians we have been linked to.
I've been thinking about this off & on over the last couple days. Running through scenarios in my head based on... - the players we are currently linked - the players that are staying - the news from a month or so ago that Walters was being prepared to be a part of the 1st team this coming season - the discussion we had a few weeks back about the long term gameplan for the defensive line... effectively carrying 7-8 CBs all with strong ball skills And I have changed my mind set (kind of). I think it makes more sense to snag 1 1st team quality (40-50m?) right-footed defender this window. Can either be a true FB or a CB/FB hybrid (Cancelo, Simikan, Pavard & Guehi are the current links that fit). That would give us 7 Sr defenders (3 righties, 3 lefties, 1 2-footed utility) and Walters. Then thinking long term, I would also add a young (u20, prefer future HG) left-footed CB/FB hybrid (basically a left-footed Walters). That gives you plenty of guys to rotate throughout the season plus 2 young guys that can play cups and potentially be loaned (ideally together) in Jan. I know it sounds like overkill having 9 defenders but effectively you have 7 with the 2 youngsters that are being allowed to get the feel for the 1st team before being loaned out.
Does he realise its not Football Manager 2002, not every 16 year old Brazilian becomes Kaka or Ronaldinho
Look, we got lucky when we took Jorge on a free, because our record of taking over 30s from Chelsea hasn't been great in the past. 26 year old Kante in this team would be something else though.
Expanding on the defensive thoughts above... This isnt speculation on what we will do but what I think is the most logical approach based on needs and rumored links... - We are rumored to have 200-250m net to spend - most pundits agree we are going after 4 significant/important/whatever players. Everyone suggests a DF and 2 MF and then there is some inconsistency on the 4th spot with some suggesting a 2nd DF and others say a FW. - in all likelihood we also end up with 1-3 "prospect" type signings. My theory/thoughts... MF #1 - At this point let's assume Rice is a forgone conclusion. For this discussion we will assume he ends up 100m, roughly half our budget. DF #1 - Based on our actions (or lack there of for certain players), I am going to assume at this point that we are looking at Cancelo or Simikan/Pavard as our primary defensive signing. Will assume that this will be 40-50m. MF #2 - could see a number of scenarios here and it could shape what we do with other positions. Think the news that ESR will be on the team next season also has an impact on this spot. Based on rumors, I think the most likely candidate is Gundogan on a free. If he turns us down we could go several directions but as of right now I am leaning towards a vet (26-30) on a free or expiring. Based on the names I have seen, I think the most likely backup plans could be... Milinkovic-Savic, Maddison, Rabiot, Olmo or Tielemans. Based on current rumors this could be a free (Gundogan, Rabiot, Tielemans) or a 30-50m (SMS, Maddison, Olmo) signing. FW #1 - I have been fully in the boat that if we re-signed Nelson we would not address FW until next summer. However, I am starting to lean heavily towards us adding a left-footed W or a W/ST hybrid this window even if he does re-sign. If MF #2 is a free transfer, I think it increases the chances that this player ends up a bigger addition (50+m) and in my mind it increases the chances of it being a left-footed winger. If we have a transfer fee for MF #2, I think it increases the chances that this spot goes to a free transfer (Asencio, Zaha, Thuram) or one of the Brazilian youngsters that we feel/hope can contribute next season. DF #2 - I still think we sign a 2nd defender but I am leaning towards him being more of a prospect vs an immediate contributor. Given our current roster breakdown and Walters expected promotion, I would lean towards this spot going to a young inverted LB or CB/LB hybrid. MF #3 - this is not a given but I think there is a decent chance we add a prospect CM/AM this window. Likely doesn't impact the 23/24 season but could see some cup minutes. That would be 6 total signings. Addresses both immediate & future needs and stays within the 200-250m net budget given some of our expected departures. GK - Ramsdale Turner LB - OZ, Kiwior, Tomi, DF #2 LCB - Gabi, Kiwior, Tomi RCB - Saliba, White, Walters, Tomi RB - White, DF #1, Walters, Tomi DM - Rice, Partey, Jorginho CM - MF #2, ESR, Jorginho, MF #3 AM - MO, Vieira, ESR, MF #3 LW - Martinelli, Nelson, Trossard RW - Saka, FW #1, Trossard ST - Jesus, Eddie, Trossard
There is one question regarding your financial assumptions. Is the reported £200m transfer budget a maximum spend or is it £200m plus sales? Because using TransferMarkt valuations, which are often low, the players Arsenal are expected to sell could generate another £100m for the transfer kitty.
Arsenal official bid for Declan Rice will be submitted after the Europa League final. Plan very clear. ⚪️🔴⤵️ #AFC https://t.co/cwL483INCY— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 1, 2023
What I read was 200-250 plus sales but much like the transfer links, who knows what is completely accurate.
The line that caught my eye the most was: "opening bid to be submitted in June, waiting for West Ham to clarify final price tag" Is this customary (in elite footballer transfers) to wait for seller's price to be voiced? Rather than just making a bid that you think is fair and reasonable? Even if our opening bid was a little low, wouldn't we get some sort of credit (at least with the player) for being the first ones to be serious enough to make an offer?