Morning all.
The Guardian reports this morning that Newcastle Utd have made a €40m (£33.5m) offer for Lyon’s defensive midfielder Bruno Guimarães and are awaiting a response from the French club.
Guimarāes is a player I’ve seen mentioned many times in an Arsenal related article but if the report above is to be believed, he could be heading up north to a club which unless there’s a total change in results, are looking favourites to be relegated in May. If you were a top international footballer, as Guimarāes is said to be, would you fancy walking in to a relegation battle?
If the money is right, I think a high percentage of players these days, would pretty much join any club. If it was Newcastle Utd before the club was taken over by a wealthy group, I doubt a player like Guimarāes would even be on their radar but now they’re the new Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd in that they can pretty much afford to sign who they like.
But footballers with ambition probably look beyond money too. Who the manager is for example, a clubs long term plan, the style of football and probably, who his new team-mates will be too. At least that’s what I’d be doing because I’d want to be happy in my work and not just paid well.
The manager is very important I think. How many players possibly joined Arsenal during Arsene Wenger’s reign because of him? If I had to guess, I’d say it was around 80%. It was in my opinion, the same with Man Utd and Fergie, Chelsea with Mourinho, (the first time) Man City with Guardiola and Tuchel in West London. When push comes to shove, I reckon it’s either the manager or money which is the deciding factor for a player when it comes to moving to a different club. Or staying at a club. Would Mesut Ozil have signed a new contract at Arsenal for half the money he was offered? In my opinion, no. Would Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? Again, I don’t truly believe he would have and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Alex Lacazette is in the same boat now but Arsenal won’t give in again. Our number 9, or rather his agents, know that he’s playing well enough to earn a bumper deal in the summer with a new club. No signing on fee = bigger salary.
If, and it is a big if, Arsenal aren’t offering Alex Lacazette a new contract, or the terms of a new contract aren’t good/big enough for him, then good. We’ve seen too many players hold Arsenal to ransom and when they’ve got what they want, their performance drops and suddenly it was a bad idea. Look at the Aaron Ramsey situation which at the time caused a few disagreements on here but as it turned out, it was the right decision not to buckle under pressure from his agents.
On the flip side, regardless of what our thoughts on a player are, those who want to stay at the club will usually sign a new or extended contract the very moment it’s waved under their nose.
To be successful, any club in any team sport needs a happy/positive dressing room. It’s easy for me/you to say “Arsenal pay him so he should be doing his job” but if that player is cheesed off in life, there’s not a hope in heck of him performing to his maximum level each week.
I’d have loved Arsenal to sign Dusan Vlahovic but what would be the point if he only really wanted Juventus? Even if they couldn’t afford him now, at some stage they’d come calling and he’d be gone. Or unhappy in England.
Mikel Arteta is in a similar boat to Eddie Howe I think as neither are what I’d call, manager’s who alone will attract the top players, but the same could be said about many a manager in the game. Edu and Richard Garlick are I believe, the ones who have to ‘convince’ a player to join Arsenal and get on board with the ‘process’ Mikel Arteta talks about and so far, they’ve done pretty well I think. But with six days to go in this transfer window, they’re leaving it late to get a couple of much needed deals over the line.
Bruno Guimarães is one of many players who’ve been linked to Arsenal this month so if Newcastle Utd have made an offer but Arsenal really want him too, it might kick the club into action. Then it’d be down to the player to make a choice, just as Dusan Vlahovic had to according to reports.
Arsenal or Newcastle, Mikel Arteta or Eddie Howe? There’s only one winner surely?
See you in the comments.
Morning Rico. It’s all getting very exciting now isn’t it?😎
Good post.
I’m hearing that Newcastle are willing to QUADRUPLE Bruno Guimarães wages which would give his agent cause for pause if not him.
I would be a shame to miss out on him (if we’re really after him of course) as I’ve seen him over the last year or so and have always thought he could add something substantial to the centre of our midfield. A terrific player.
Money talks. The majority of players are mercenaries only interested in the bottom line and the potential trophies on offer.
I remember Sol Campbell leaving Spurs, the Club he supported and played for since an early age, to come to Arsenal. He came because Arsenal offered more money and potential trophies.
Ashley Cole did exactly the same to Arsenal.
Just wait for some of the Newcastle signings in the summer. I expect they will raise a few eyebrows.
Morning Rico and all
Reports that Arteta is in America to discuss Auba situation.
I recon there are 3 main things older players and some younger ones look at when choosing a new club
1 game time. 2 money. 3 Europa league
And then to a lesser extent who the coach is
Morning Adam, I can barely contain my excitement. 😆
Thanks Berg.
Triple his wages? He must be on a low salary at Lyon then because if Newcastle end up relegated, they’ll be snookered.
Pete, you’re right about the money. Look at the players we lost to City because of it.
Re Newcastle, I imagine a lot will depend on the rest of the season with regard to who they sign.
According to Sky Sports, Lyon have agreed a £30m fee with Newcastle for Bruno Guimarães.
☹️
Good morning all.
Vlahovic was a non-starter right from the off in my opinion. He made clear from the outset that his favoured move, in the Premiership, would be to Manchester City. Arsenal was not on his radar.
Are we any more attractive than Newcastle? Only in that we are unlikely to relegated this season but if the Barcodes avoid relegation , their money will make all the difference next season.
Agree re Vlahovic Cicero and about Newcastle really. If they avoid relegation this season, they’ll go on a spending spree in the summer. FFP seems to have disappeared.
Rico FFP is only checked when it comes to Arsenal
I would really like to know why Arteta has gone to visit Enos. Is it for a kick up the pants? Is it to beg for transfer funds? It seems strange that he is not accompanied by Edu and or Richard Garlick. I don’t think the Kroenkes would have wasted the money on flights if they were going to sack him, a text message would have been much cheaper.. in both senses.
Cicero there is a story in one of the papers that Arteta and Kroenke are discussing the Auba situation not sure how true it is but maybe Kroenke doesn’t want another Ozil situation.
I hope Luis Diaz doesn’t go to the Totts. If it’s for 50 million it’s cheap. And for 50 million I don’t understand why we didn’t fight for it either
Hi Rico.. Nice read! I think we’ll have more excitement from the Barcodes’ window than ours; just saw this:
‘On transfers, Elneny to Fenerbache looking less & less likely given Arsenal’s current options in midfield – move had been on at one point. Other than Matt Turner, Arsenal not currently expecting any arrivals before deadline.’
You’re joking?!! 🤦♀️ And to add insult to injury, Aubameyang isn’t part of the Dubai trip, but Wilshere is! Baffling…
With their new-found wealth, will the Geordies avoid relegation?! Apparently they’re also after Lingard and Alli (can’t stand either) on loan…
Not last summer Geoff. 😂
We already have another Ozil situation with Auba imo. In some ways, with Torreira and Guendouzi too albeit at a less cost.
Hi Sue, thanks. We’re not signing anyone? Oh well, reap what one sows.
Unless Aubameyang is unwell, him not going to Dubai will not build any bridges will it?
I’m astounded, Rico! Am I missing something – did he murder someone?! Hasn’t he been punished enough?
Yet another mess we find ourselves in, Rico. The Ozil debacle was exhausting.. don’t fancy going through it again ☹
Me too Sue. I’m all for players being reprimanded but we do seem to take things to the extreme. Unless there’s something we don’t know about.
If we’re not signing a striker, him being frozen out doesn’t make sense.
That’s making the assumption that either party wants a bridge built.
Very true. From the outside it seems neither do.
‘But footballers with ambition probably look beyond money too. Who the manager is for example, a clubs long term plan, the style of football and probably, who his new team-mates will be too. At least that’s what I’d be doing because I’d want to be happy in my work and not just paid well.’
Personally Rico I’d be perfectly happy to step into Aubameyang’s shoes for a month, be thoroughly miserable, cop his monthly salary and then retire to the Maldives…
It works for me… 😁
I did hear that Aubameyang wasn’t actually injured but that following his ‘partygate’ episode prior to the ACoN and further disciplinary issues Gabon sent him him home – pick the bones out of that?
I would too Kev but I’d try and last two months, just to maintain a decent way of living. 😝
Trouble is, we never really hear the whole story, or the truth. A bit like PM question time really..
You’re right, Rico, we don’t
Pepe’s out… Elneny goes through
Pepe coming home then. Our striker for the next few months Sue.
And Elneny MOTM, Rico 😳
Pepe – he’ll be like a new signing haha!!
That doesn’t surprise me re Elneny Sue.
😅 He will…
Sanogo is not available?
That’s true Rico, but it does make you wonder why Gabon seemingly made no attempts to get Aubameyang to return, well not that I’m aware?
I guess you pays ya money and takes your choice of cake…
The Arthur Melo deal seems dead in the water, looks like it’s been kicked down the road until the summer to see if we’ve finished top four or not?
There’s always Wynaldum I suppose…
That leaves Arteta with a senior squad of 20 players or 21 if Nketiah stays (22 with Auba).
This whole Auba situation is beginning to sound like a whole lot of a mess. and if he is not injured and told to stay at home it backs up what reporters and fans say, once you upset Arteta he never forgets and will not give you a second chance.
I wonder if Arteta was asking Kroenke to pay Auba contract out.
How safe is Edu, he wanted to sign a player apparently on loan for 1 or 2 years then must buy for 40 million but he was not backed by anyone at the club,
Room for additional players then Kev?
I wouldn’t believe the Sun Geoff re Edu.
New post up now