Ahh, I’m always just a week behind. But probably if one was good at reading tea leaves, one would’ve seen that as a sign of Messi‘s impending arrival. I.e. a pre-conditional test of Becks and the club’s worthiness and commitment to Leo.
News from this morning... - Arsenal expected to submit 90m bid for Declan Rice in the next few days - Supposedly ManU inquired about Rice and decided they do not have the budget to drop 100m on a single player this window - Supposedly Bayern appear to be moving on from Rice. They have inquired about Fiorentina DM Sofyan Amrabat - Lazio is trying to convince Jorginho to return to Italy - Fab says that we are still in for Caicedo
I'm ok paying 90 for Rice if we still sign another good midfielder or two if Jorginho leaves. I get that it's the English tax + he's pretty proven in the PL and still young.
I think we need 2 minimum with Xhaka leaving. Then we need atleast a backup/rotation replacement for anyone else (Jorginho, Partey, etc...) that leaves.
I don't want to Wenger my Edu, but if other clubs are dropping off and Rice wants to stay in London why on earth should Arsenal start their bidding at 90m? When RvP wanted out and handcuffed the club with only one buyer that cost Arsenal at least 10m, I feel, and that was several years ago. I'm all for a quick deal and think Rice can contribute, but at 90m+ the dude better come good.
It's flattering that the word is Rice wants Arsenal. His top choice. But it does beg the question... why? OK we are the best team in London right now and the only one in UCL next year. And we have a good looking project, led by an inspirational coach. But is that enough? <he says awkwardly, not familiar with this kind of love from near elite recruitment talent, especially ones who play for Engerlund>
Why not? Without interviewing him we can’t know his motivations. Maybe it’s a combination of all positives you listed. Maybe the transfer fee offered to West Ham wins out, but at the moment it looks like Rice is onboard.
Maybe we should be working a deal with Brighton to run up the price in exchange for a good deal in the future... 1666896193857675265 is not a valid tweet id
There are two sides to this. They probably figure they will match the fee and outbid Arsenal on personal terms, but if they only match the fee, Arsenal have the advantage of Champions League competition.
If they're "matching", I would expect they throw more money at the player in wages, and make him make a choice. Play for cash, or play for trophies. Reminds me of a classic 90s hip hop track by Black Sheep.
Completely agree. We get this right, and we seriously challenge for the league this year, and I suspect either win the league or make a CL final in the next 2 or 3 seasons. And when we win either that first league/CL, watch the momentum shift and we become a destination club again. Guarantee Rice has been chatting to Saka, White and Ramsdale on international duty and they sold him on it. On top of it sounds like he is building a good friendship with them as well. Sometimes its as simple as that. He gets to stay in London, move to a significantly bigger club, and its a club who finished 2nd and have CL football. Imagine all that, and then that club saying "we will pay you big bucks because we believe you will be the player that pushes us into the elite category and we will give you every opportunity to do that." Why wouldn't you make the change?
Romano reported yesterday that BVB were in the lead for Fresneda Interesting that a RB would be the next priority and not DM/CM/AM
Don't think LB will be priority until KT leaves. Even then we may not push since Tomi can play there. Think it is entirely possible we see the following DF depth next season... LB - OZ, Kiwior, Tomi LCB - Gabi, Kiwior, Tomi RCB - Saliba, White, Walters RB - White, Boey/Fresneda, Walters
ESPN claims the budget is £100-120 million plus sales. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...r-window-preview-kane-man-united-rice-arsenal
isn't just matching what we offer essentially a bidding war? we offer 60, they offer 60 so we offer 70 so they offer 70, etc
Rumors of sp*rs and newcastle fighting over Maddison. West Ham want to use their Rice money to sign Ward-Prowse, Harvey Barnes and Edson Alvarez from Ajax. Hopefully motivates them to finish the Rice deal swiftly. Lazio and Sarri want Jorginho with the promise of a long-term contract. Dont see Arsenal letting him go unless they have another midfielder coming in besides Rice, so could be one to watch re Caicedo.