The club didn't sign anyone in January - despite the obvious need for reinforcements in attack - because they are keeping the powder dry for a big summer targeting elite players, right? Right? RIGHT??? Incomings Alexander Isak - Turns 26 in September with 17g in 22 league matches so far. Has some injury concerns, will cost a fortune and NUFC will push hard for a renewal. He's also an elite talent that could transform Arteta's squad. Benjamin Sesko - Turns 22 in May, 8g in 19 Bundesliga appearances. An elite finisher...or on a lucky run of form. He has significantly outperformed his xG at Leipzig. Cheaper than Isak in fee and wages and would be a nice backup plan. But he doesn't seem like the finished article. Nico Williams - Turns 23 in July and has only 1g and 3a in 19 La Liga matches. Flashed a lot of potential while helping Spain win the Euros last summer but end product is not there. Could be an affordable fee with his release clause but may demand huge wages. Martin Zubimendi - Just turned 26 and if reports are to be believed, he's already agreed to become the Partey/Jorginho replacement. But nothing is certain until he's holding up a shirt on Arsenal's Insta. Others: Can't be an Arteta window without signing a keeper and at least one defender. The former could be a veteran/budget option, the later could be a younger/developmental signing. Must add to the attacking options and possibly another midfielder, depending on how versatile pieces like Havertz, Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are utilized. Outgoings Sterling and Neto loans end. Tierney has agreed terms with Celtic, Lazio have an obligation to buy Tavares. Partey and Jorginho are out of contract. Vieira, Nelson, Sambi and Hein may not have a role when they return from loan and permanent exits are possible if not likely. Zinchenko seems poised to exit. A move may be best for Tomiyasu. Trossard or Kiwior may push for a clear starting role elsewhere. A Jesus move is unlikely due to his knee injury.
Great summary. also need to track Madrid’s perpetual interest in Saliba. I think most/all of us agree he’s irreplaceable, but if Madrid offers stupid money, the club may seriously consider moving him out.
We have to keep Saliba or sell at a animal fee with a player coming the other way, camavinga would be good we desperately need a wide forward, at least 1 six, a striker and a backup keeper it’s gonna be expensive but we will shed a load of salary with players leaving and potentially sell a few as well
£100 million please I love Saliba, but his performances have noticeably dropped in the past few months. I don't know who we'd replace him with, but he is replaceable in this form.
Trades are rare, but that might make more sense if we seriously consider any offers. Saliba for Camavinga + 1-2 of their young attackers would probably be enough for me.
My bet is he's suffering from fatigue (physical and mental) just like everyone else in our squad now. Still not even 24 years old yet---young for a CB. He'll be fine and will probably even get better.
Completely agree, just saying that we're sustaining a pretty good season so far even when he hasn't been close to his best. Lots of guys out there who can play at the same level as this current version of Saliba, not many who can play at his peak level, which is why I'd want damn near £100 million for him.
Heresy Right on p.s. Provocative thread title (typical for transfer threads of course) but honestly, and as much as I've wanted Isak for several years now, I think are chances are pretty close to 0% unless NUFC crash and don't qualify for Europe at all, or if KSE is gonna magically fork over bags of cash this summer to match NUFC's high price, plus all the other signings we need. Thus you see why I think 0%.
Do you think Saliba has been irreplaceable with this way he's been playing for the past few months? We've kept 2 clean sheets against teams in the top half all season, both before Thanksgiving.
It was a joke. Of course everybody’s replaceable. But for me I’m not entertaining losing Saliba this summer.
Selling Saliba would hurt, would have to be insane money because he will become a world class CB when he is 27/28, and I want him to hit that peak with us. If Madrid wants him that badly, they pay overs and send talent our way. No rolling over for them.
I think it's more than zero and depends on a couple things. Is the Europa League enough to convince Isak to sign a new contract or will it take Champions League? And where does NUFC fall in the Saudi's list of priorities? Since the takeover, they have seemed more interested in their domestic league and the 2034 WC. And the PIF is not an unlimited money cannon, NEOM is (predictably) costing way more than they claimed. Spending stupid money on a CB doesn't feel like a very Real Madrid move. I'm more worried that they are working behind the scenes to convince him not to sign a new contract at Arsenal and eventually move on a discount in 2026 or a free in 2027.
If by some chance Arsenal should sell Saliba to Madrid, which I think is extremely unlikely, some poking around came up with four RCB types under the age of 25 who play and start for teams in European competition and are with clubs I would identify as historically willing to sell top players. Keeping in mind of course that the fee for selling Saliba would have to be astronomical. Also keeping in mind that I have not really watched any of these players, and have no sense of their actual availability. Bafode Diakite Lille 24 Antonio Silva Benfica 21 Josip Sutalo Ajax 24 Ousmane Diomande Sporting 21
Dont recall if/where I posted this here but this is a roster assessment I made on another board about a week ago. Barring any surprises (Saliba leaving for Madrid) our summer is gonna need to be huge...... The troublesome part of doing nothing in Jan is the number of additions we will need in the summer. As far as I know we don't have anyone in the academy that is ready to step up next season. Which means new additions need to come from the outside..... GK - Need to replace Neto. Don't think any of the new u21s are really ready and they should be getting playing time in the academy or on loan. Hein has been good on loan but I don't see him being here long term due to his poor passing skills. Personally, I would target a vet FA. FB - Likely good with White, Timber, Cala & MLS next season. Could add someone if MLS is given a shot in MF. CB - Set for starters but think it is highly likely Kiwior leaves. Will need to add one to replace him. Could see us adding 2 younger guys that can also play FB so we have added depth in case of another rash of injuries. MF - Partey & Jorge on expiring contracts. Need to replace both of them. Zubimendi appears to be coming. Think the 2nd comes in the form of a young right-footed LCM (Nypan?) with Rice & Merino as cover for 6. W - Saka & Marti set, though many fans want a new LW with Marti retained as a super-sub. Sterling gone (kinda shit anyway) and many believe Trossard may push for an exit for starting min elsewhere. Personally think Nwaneri becomes our defacto backup/rotation guy for both MO & Saka but that still leaves us needing a legit LW (immediate starter or atleast competition) and someone that can play multiple positions (ideally W & ST). Possible the multi position guy ends up Jesus but in all likelihood he is out till around Xmas. ST - Havertz sends fans into an emotional rollercoaster at times but if you look at the numbers he is fine as our starter but our depth is terrible. Need 1 guy here. Summary..... Needs to replace known exits or long term injuries - GK, 2x DM/CM, W, ST Potential needs to replace players many expect to leave - CB, W Additions purely for better depth - CB or FB
Could see him being the 8th defender if he can stay healthy. Think its far more likely he is sold/loaned to a less physical league.
I think it's hilarious how supporters of "big" clubs think that they can simply buy anybody they want and that every player automatically will prefer them over their current situation. Why would Newcastle want to sell Isak? And why would Isak choose Arsenal over Newcastle ? If Isak is going to leave Newcastle, it's going to be for a club like Barcelona (to replace Lewa) or Bayern Munich (to replace Kane), not another British club.
I mentioned him. Think there is a good chance he moves to be the starter elsewhere. Either way we are gonna add a W. If he leave there is a good chance we add 2.
Isak will be too expensive for us. Newcastle will prefer to sell him to club outside the PL. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong games but Saliba has made a couple mistakes. Wrong side of Haaland for their goal and one or two others but overall been very good. He's far more consistent than Gabriel. Although Gabriel has been the better recently. I like Sesko for his upside potential at his age. Big, can head, good ball control. I think its a bit unfair to write Merino off. He's come into a new club, new country, new system, new league. Its only fair to give any player in that situation a year of consistent football. Pires started a little slow, so did Henry. They turned out okay. I'm not saying he's the midfield savior but he needs time. I think Trossard is probably gone. He wants to start. We can't guarantee that and at his age, he wants that. Martinelli hasn't gotten better. I would take a top winger for the left side over a center mid. Get some balance to the wings. We desperately need someone who can fill in for Odegaard when he's out. Nwaneri comes to mind. Trossard didnt' work out in that role. I think Odegaard is our most important outfield player. Second most is Raya. Jesus is done. At his age, that kind of injury its a long shot he'll come back. A shame. We need a couple good attackers. I'd prefer to keep Trossard over Martinelli based on effectiveness but Martinelli is younger. Much younger. I think Tinder could possibly do a job as defensive center mid.
Very few here think signing Isak is realistic. The thread title is clearly tongue in cheek, unless you think we're really advocating sacking Arteta. So lighten up.
...and as far as Arteta, sack him and get who? Who would come? How long do they have to do whatever? What are the parameters of a new manager? Get a trophy, any trophy by what? 3rd year? And if not? What if his system requires different players. I will be in the minority but I'm perfectly happy with Mikel. The only other managers I'd consider getting is Alonso, Eddie Howe, maybe....maybe Santo. I think the biggest hindrance to the club is the owner. Not Arteta.