Morning all.
Arsenal are filling the back pages and or social media. Not all is positive news, not having read about AMN crashing his Ford KA at 6am this morning. No one was injured so that’s the main thing. What the club make of his accident remains to be seen but before casting judgement, they’ll no doubt want the facts.
- Nuno Tavares is to undergo a medical ahead of confirming his £6.8m transfer from Benfica to Arsenal (Daily Mail).
- Juventus are keeping tabs on Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, should they fail to sign Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli this summer (Daily Star).
- Aston Villa refuse to be deterred after failing with a fresh £30m bid for Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe (Daily Mirror).
- Arsenal will finally get Mesut Ozil off their books completely as of July 1, when the Gunners will no longer have to subsidise the playmaker’s Fenerbahce wages (Daily Mirror).
- Patrick Vieira could return to Arsenal for a selection of young stars to bolster his Crystal Palace squad (The Sun).
I’m pleased Patrick Vieira has come to England with Crystal Palace as it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on. He might be a rival manager but he’ll never be disliked by Arsenal fans I’m sure. Unless he sends his team out to play dirty against Arsenal, then I might have a rethink.
The Villa/ESR saga is boring now. They need to either stump up three times as much as their reported second offer or go in search for someone else.
Finally removing Ozil’s salary off the wage bill is massive I think. What he was earning a week could pay two, if not three players. The club can’t change history but it can ensure such a ridiculous contract is never given to a player again. To a slightly lesser degree, the same applies to the contract given to Aubameyang.
Nuno Tavares already seems to be dividing fans opinion. I don’t have one really because I’d never heard of him let alone see him play. I did however think the club might opt for a player with a bit more experience. After all, where would the arrival of Tavares leave the Arsenal career of Joel Lopez? Perhaps Mikel Arteta doesn’t feel he has one.
Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli, who Arsenal have made a bid for according to NN headlines, has looked good at the Euros, very good but if I’m honest, I’d much rather the club signed Bissouma. I very much doubt Brighton would sell us two players and in any case, the fee they’d want would be hideous I suspect. Certainly if the fee they’re reported to be expecting for Ben White is anything to go by. Then again, I’ve no idea how much money Arsenal have to spend. Other than the usual big spenders, I’d imagine most clubs have got to make whatever funds they have stretch a long way.
After a day off, the Euros return today with two quarter-final fixtures.
Switzerland v Spain
Belgium v Italy
Enjoy them, or like me, enjoy Wimbledon.
See you in the comments.
Morning Rico, if we had any realistic chance of signing Locatelli I doubt that the Sassuolo Guy, director or sporting director, would be rabbiting on about it. Smoking out a bid from Juventus by using an Arsenal inquiry seems to be the tactic here, so nothing to see I reckon.
I have no expectations of Tavares so let’s see if he’s any good.
I see that Anderlecht have just signed a midfielder so the player they have who were interested in could soon be coming over for a medical. Also Roma seem to have upped their bid for Xhaka and that deal looks likely to be concluded when Switzerland get knocked out by Italy today.
It’s a beautiful sunny day and I’m off to join the throng in London, deep joy…
Morning all.
Kev, hopefully, they’d rather see to us than a rival so let’s hope there’s something to it.
At this time of year, nothing is what it seems, that’s for sure.
Afternoon Kev, Adam, Geoff, all.
Can’t say I believe any of the stuff written online etc. Until Arsenal confirm anything, it’s all just speculation.
Tavares-is he a fullback or a winger lol
Damn he looks very decent going forward and has a fantastic left leg.
YouTube obviously shows the best if him but at 7 million-it’s not a lot of money.
Morning Rico. The transfer window has been underwhelming so far as rumour far outstrips action. The Portuguese dude suggests a worrying trend to me.
Villa are an irritating club. They announce their return to the big time by finishing 3 places below Arsenal who had the worst season for decades. I guess they don’t mind embarrassing themselves. Just tell them to piss off. Why would any top player want to go and play in the footballing desert that is midlands football?
Morning Rico and all
Just watched the you tube video of Tavares, He seems ok however I have some concerns about his ratings which show 5/10 for concentration and 6/10 for finishing lets hope these numbers come up.
Now that Ozil is finally off the books lets just say Thank you wish him and his family the best for the future.
Scott, I told you that eventually Tavarez will end up on the left wing. He is a trickster and good going forward. Keep it in mind that htat is the place he will eventually play in.
Good Afternoon everyone
http://sportwitness.co.uk/worry-starting-creep-surrounding-arsenal-deal-club-desperate-get-deal-done-bigger-teams-circling/
Seems that my prayers have been answered….PSG in the mix. fingers crossed they will offer more than anyone else….Eur25M??? that would be great
Locatelli Locaaatellli, Locaaatelli. Ehhhh Rico an italian is coming our way
Just read City are in talks for Ben White.
I’m not convinced Devil, depends if Juve are in the mix I guess.
According to reports we could be stuck with Willian until 2023 after Inter Miami turned Willian’s wage demand of 167 thousand pounds per week down claiming he wanted far to much.
Can’t blame them Geoff.
Wish we would hurry up and sign some one it seems like the same old story wait till the last week then sign a player
Neither would I Geoff.
I reckon the transfer window will get going now that the Euros is soon to be over.
Ben Sheaf has left the club and joined Coventry City.
I’m going bonkers, just realised there’s no football today, it’s tomorrow 😀
Must admit Rico I would not pay that much for him far better players and younger available for that sort of pay
All the Bens are on the move, one to Coventry and one to Manchester.
Just read City are in talks for Ben White.
And Everton
If Arteta and Edu really want Ben white and. Get out bid by Everton someone’s head should roll for taking too long in negotiations
Morning Geoff, it is not that simple mate.
Selling clubs want to drag things out Hoping to attract other offers, as do agents and that’s why things take so long.
I reckon most clubs would love to buy a player quickly, but selling clubs don’t want that 🙂
I suppose it matters not which clubs enter talks for a player, ultimately it’s down to him where he goes surely? So if White wants to play for Arsenal and Arsenal want him to, I’d have thought he will regardless of other club interest.
Morning all
True, Rico, maybe he’s holding out for another club or a better deal-who knows?
These negotiations are a lot more conflicted than they used to be, though.
Exactly Scott, it’s certainly not as simple as pay Brighton the money and get the player imo.
Look at Ramsey, he was all set to join Utd before he had a change of heart. Footballers who are in it for the game, have to choose the club which is right for them.
Rico, that’s it.
It’s only local juniors that possibly give a little bit financially and football wise to stay with their club.
Is Locatelli potentially Xhaka’s replacement, i still haven’t seen him play? i’ll definitey see him tonight as my wife is Belgian.
I’d love to see a top draw creator in the middle added too…
I guess so Lee, I’d rather Bissouma because he’s already in the PL and very few Italians take to the English league. Zola was the last to do well wasn’t he?
Negotiations are never easy but how many times have clubs missed out on their first choice over a couple of million pounds and we do have a reputation for being slow and messing around too much during negotiations
Hi Rico.. Saliba has withdrawn from the Olympics – interesting!!
Hi Sue, yep. Staying put perhaps.
I don’t recall Xhaka leading the team when he was Arsenal captain as he is tonight.
Some dreadful penalties so far. Come on Switzerland.
Xhaka not in the match day squad.
Suspended
Thanks Wavy.
Wednesday Kev? That soon….
Pictures of Tavares on a private jet with his advisors earlier today flying to England from Portugal, he must be at London Colney by now with all the relevant paperwork done, it’s just down to Arsenal.com catching up with everything, so knowing them it’ll be announced next Wednesday.
Watching the Spain vs Switzerland game with the appalling Sam Matterface droning on in commentary and stating the bleedin’ obvious, what a clown…
Darn!
Oh well, Xhaka’s move should go through now if he’s leaving.
Yeah Rico, Wednesday I reckon, they don’t mess about, much…
The club are pretty crap at announcing stuff Kev. Still, at least we know all about the invincibles now.
That’s right, they reported on Herbert Chapman getting the managers job last week.
😂😂
Saka injured in training and might miss tomorrow’s match.
Saliba to Marseille (loan)? 😳
Most odd Sue, especially if we’re not 100% getting Ben White.
Italy look the best team so far, but they do need to get a new artistic director to work alongside their stunt coordinator, some of their play acting is beyond risible. 😉
Insigne is dangerous!
Do Italy now play Spain? If so, might need to call in the gymnastics scoring format….
I only watched to get another glimpse of this guy we’re supposed to be interested in and he didn’t even play.. pfff.
Yeah, Italy looked really good, but the referee was as weak as Mike Riley officiating Man Utd, he was hopeless and allowed the Italians to pretty much waste the last 15 minutes with their play acting antics, Belgium just got frustrated and lost track.
Tactically the Italians were spot on, they realised that they could manipulate the referee and took full advantage, but they were really impressive when they were in attack mode.
Italy vs Spain has all the ingredients of a Shakespearean drama, the play acting, the pained expressions on the players faces, arm waving, diving, shirt pulling, obstruction, imaginary cards waved in the air, stop start football, I can’t wait it’ll be brilliant.
“Alas dear Mancini, I knew him well”
Italy v Spain-ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Reiss Nelson to sign a new contract before going out on loan, possibly to Olympiakos.
Saliba has gone on loan Marseille.
Ben White is a done deal, he will sign when he returns from the Euros.
Tavares signing announcement imminent.
All rumours of course, but here’s one you can believe…..Arteta wants to sign a Spanish defender, 35 year old Sergio Ramos who is out of contract at Real Madrid.
Morning Cicero,
Ramos would do a job mate.
Not sure whether he’d help or hinder our younger guys development, but he’s more than capable/
Ramos ? We better practice playing with ten . Riley’s boys would have a field day.
If Arsenal sign 35 year old Ramos, both Arteta and Edu deserve to be sacked imo.
Morning all.
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/07/03/arsenal-ins-and-outs-ramos-no-thank-you/
Potter, if he joined Utd he’d be safe hahahaha