Add in KT, Tavares & Sambi. Individually they aren't gonna get us a ton but all 3 combined could net another 30m.
ESR, Eddie, Nelson will also extend our FFP spending as they are home grown. But if those players go, we at minimum need a MF, ST, W and LB.
I like Nico. Don't care for the rumored salary demands. Only mild concern with his game is his current lack of goal production. However, he has a good number of assists. If he is bought with the expectation that he will provide 10+ goals then he may be a bad buy. If he is bought with the expectation that he will bring 15+ assists with 5+ goals and Arteta is good with that, then he would be a great purchase.
This guy is a future menace. He would be one of those signings we don’t think much of this year but then lose our mind in two seasons as he is killing teams.
If we sell ESR, sign this guy and give him ESR's minutes plus give Rice/MO a little rest if he responds well to the league/scheme. Would do the same thing with Nwaneri getting Vieira's minutes.
I don't see them signing him in June before their other identified needs. But if he's still available in August and sales have gone well, then making a "luxury" signing on a player like Doue that won't necessarily contribute right away would be really smart.
Another thought/question on ESR..... His value is not very high right now but it is generally expected that we could pull 20m GBP. Would it make sense to gamble on him breaking out at his next spot by taking a little less but securing a cheap(ish) buyback that would allow us to bring him back for a 2nd sale in a year or 2?
I wouldn't, I think you sell and move on. I'd take a smaller fee from someone like Fulham or Palace with a sell-on clause if he steps up and goes on to someone bigger. If he goes to a bigger club, I'd take as big a fee as possible upfront in case his injury woes return. Like Ox to Liverpool.
There has been a lot of discussion about bringing Nwaneri into the first team next season. He just turned 17. Saka broke into a weaker Arsenal team at 17, but might have had to wait another year to break into this Arsenal team at 17. Is Nwaneri really that good?
Im not sure but I think you have to give him a chance or you risk losing him. Id have him with the first team and give him atleast sub minutes in FA Cup and blowouts until Jan. Then decide if he needs a loan or not.
Don't think Nwaneri is as good as Saka at 17 but he looks more physically developed. After going thru the loan thread I don't want Nwaneri going on loan next season. Let him play u21, train regularly with Arteta, Cuesta, and the rest of the first team and get minutes here and there in low pressure situations. If you have Odegaard, Rice, a new signing, and Jorginho, I don't think Nwaneri can be the next guy. But if one of Vieira/ESR stays, or if they sign a Doue/Olise type, then Nwaneri can be the one to round out that midfield group.
Just saw a rumor on Twitter (from one of the shit ITKs) that we're looking at Ugarte. A quick look at his stats on FBref ---- yuck, I hope not. Don't think he's an "Arteta-style 6."
He just signed his first professional contract in March. I don’t think you can start worry about losing him, yet.
people think nwaneri is a bit like cm David silva for England youth fast, cm good at dribbling and left footed
Wouldn’t mind Wharton here if we sell Partey home grown, has a great passing range and engine and is a good ball winner not looked up his stat profile but it would be interesting g to see where he ranks in what percentile he passes the eye test
The next paragraph: Vieira’s future may be tied to that of Smith Rowe. Losing both in the same summer would leave Arsenal light in midfield, and with considerable work to do to replace them. Perhaps only one will be allowed to go, with the decision being determined by who generates the most interest.