Kylian Mbappe, Welcome to Arsenal! - Summer 2024 Transfer Thread

Billy Carpenter “Scouting Mikel Merino”

https://billycarpenter.substack.com/?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web

I feel more comfortable with this signing now, but I would also like to see the addition of a younger more athletic version of Jorginho/Partey at the 6.

 

I’ve never read a Billy Carpenter analysis before. And TBH I just really skimmed this one, because of time constraints, skipping over entire large sections. Are his analyses usually this in-depth?? Wow!

 

AERIALLLLSSS IN THE SKKKYYYYYYYYY

 

With just 12 days left until the Wolves game, he may start at either LB or RCB on opening day, with both presumed starters at those positions only recently rejoining preseason training. After that he may just be a rotation starter, but I think he will finish a lot of games, especially when Arsenal are up a goal and want to see the game out.

 

Isn’t merino essentially coming for about 25 mill? Thats a rotation player spend

we still have something big brewing like we just ate at a questionable Taco Bell

 

A little Immodium for you?
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40674882/arsenal-not-planning-declan-rice-level-move-summer

 

If Merino wasn’t entering the last year of his contract, the number would be higher. For what it’s worth, TransferMarket lists his value at €50m, which in a previous post, was why I called these links bargain hunting.

 

PSR/FFP means probably not unless we get Osimhen for a cut price deal.

 

I'm not sure what our plan is for CF. Surely we can't rely on Jesus and Havertz alone. We're beefing up in defence and midfield has more steel should Merino come in- does this mean Mikel wants us to maintain our goals scored from last year while enforcing steel to hold on to results?

Calafiori and Merino are set peice threats which we're good add. Maybe MA wants our extra goals to come from there?

 

I’m not sure Arsenal have ever been in for Osimhen, but with Academy graduates being pure profit and the ability to spread transfer fees over the length of a players contract (5 years max.), if Arsenal manage to sell Nketiah, Nelson, and Patino for a combined £50m on top of already selling ESR for a guaranteed £27m, I don’t think £100m for Osimhen necessarily runs afoul of PSR/FFP regs.

 

Osihmen is too clumsy for the front line

he’s a run in behind player but he’s not refined on the ball same as gyokores

we play a certain style that requires the forward to be able to go wide and drop into midfield

Havertz is perfect

if martinelli can get back to his best and Saka stays at his level we are fine

Jesus can hopefully stay fitter. The issue for me is deep playmaking and I’m hoping the club has someone in mind as Partey is fully washed and Jorginho is old

 

Outside of age, there were reports about the club management not being sure of caliafiori price as well.

 

Interesting..... OZ switches to 17. Doesn't seem like something you would bother doing if you were looking to leave.

 

They just sold ESR, who rarely played the last two seasons and also has an injury history, for £27m + £7m and are concerned about whether Calafiori, whose total price is less than £10m more, is value for money?

There is one legitimate concern about Calafiori, whether his reconstructed knee will continue to withstand the strain placed on it by a professional athlete. Once you make the assumption that two full seasons without significant knee problems suggests the answer is yes, then the price Arsenal paid is the market rate. Chelsea paid similar money for Disasi last year, United paid £60m for 18 year old potential, Everton want £70m for Branthwaite, and the rumored price for Guehi is £50m, but I suspect Palace would want more.

 

I think you misunderstood my post.

There were stories about Arsenal leadership not being convinced we should buy Caliafiori. My point wasn’t to say those concerns were legit concerns, but that the same stories about Merino were out about him. I don’t know if those stories are even legit.

 

I think we get these sorts of unnamed sources questioning most of our major acquisitions. It makes for good copy.

 

A little odd to see people leaking stuff like this. We didn't see it in years past. This plus the Edu stories suggests that everything isn't rosy behind the scenes.

 

🚨🇪🇪 Karl Hein, set to leave Arsenal on loan to join Spanish side Real Valladolid until the end of the season.

His salary will be covered by Valladolid, as @RichCawleySLP called. pic.twitter.com/lpoFBbB1jn

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 6, 2024

 

Agreed. But what the hell do we know. IOW, I hope we can improve on him if not improve with him.

 

Setting up a bit of drama at our GK position. A) Ramsdale stays as rarely used #2, unless we suddenly need him because Raya goes down, and then where does that leave us? Or B) Rambo also goes out (on loan?) and we bring in... who exactly as our new #2? If I had to bet, I'd say "A" is more likely.