Willock/Ramsdale deals far from done.

Morning all.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense will know that Arsenal aren’t in a position to the kind of money needed to overhaul the squad. But, anyone with an ounce of common sense will know that Arsenal can not afford to go into the new season without a proper goalkeeper to challenge Bernd Leno. We know the club are trying to sign a keeper but surely, a deal for whoever they want should have been done by now.

Fans have been looking at some options here, which offer odds on the top four qualification in the Premier League and Arsenal will be an outside bet to push back into the all important Champions League places for next season.

The chances of Bernd Leno suffering an injury are slim but all it takes is one 50/50 challenge with him coming off worse and we’re looking at Alex Runarsson, Arthur Okonkwo, or Karl Hein between the sticks. Probably the latter as he’s more experienced having played for Estonia.

If reports on social media etc are correct, the keeper Mikel Arteta wants is Aaron Ramsdale but Sheffield Utd are playing hardball over the transfer fee. Sky Sports suggest any potential deal for Ramsdale is likely to include significant add-ons, with the latest bid from Arsenal believed to include an initial fee of £18m plus add-ons which would take the total amount above £25m.

Arsenal have to accept that if they really want Ramsdale then they’ll have to pay the price Sheffield Utd are asking because this summer, the selling clubs hold all the cards. Just because Arsenal are renown for being soft when it comes to selling players, it does mean all clubs are. I suppose Arsenal have two choices, the same two choices as when they first approached Sheffield Utd, pay the money or walk away and go for their backup plan. Andre Onana is still available although I get the feeling Mikel Arteta wants an English keeper.

In other transfer news, Arsenal are ready to offer Lautaro Martinez a lucrative £275,000-a-week contract to tempt him to leave Inter Milan and have a crack at the Premier League, Arsenal are looking for a new forward and are interested in Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, who could be set for a move to Roma after Chelsea agreed a £34m deal for the 23-year-old. – According to The Sun.

I can’t see Inter Milan letting Martinez and Lukaku leaving in the same transfer season but as said before, football clubs are not flush with money so you never know. Whether Arsenal have the kind of money Inter will want for him is another matter. Arsenal certainly need a striker.

The Joe Willock to Newcastle Utd hangs in the balance according to Sky Sports as personal terms cannot be agreed. Perhaps Sheffield Utd would take him in a straight swap for Ramsdale? Surely one of the Hale Enders Arsenal are trying to sell would improve the Utd squad?

Apparently Villa and Toots are trying to sign James Ward-Prowse. Perhaps Arsenal should join them in the race. We might actually score from a few set-pieces with him in the team.

Mikel Arteta talks to the media this morning. Maybe he’ll tell us what the plan is for the rest of the transfer window and how we’re going to win tomorrow night..

See you in the comments.

 

 

 

50 thoughts on “Willock/Ramsdale deals far from done.

  1. Cicero says:

    Good morning Rico. It’s impossible to sift the truth from all the rumours swilling about on the web.

    Arsenal are well known for overpaying our “stars”, perhaps that extends as far as the youngsters so Willock is pushing for too higher wage than the already high wage he’s earning at the moment.

  2. rico says:

    Morning Cicero, all.

    I don’t know how Arsenal compare to other clubs regarding young players salary. But salaries are too high in the game full stop imo.

  3. Aussie Geoff says:

    Morning Rico and all
    The move went well thanks Rico
    Players payment are out of control in all major leagues and it doesn’t help when you read how much Messie will receive from PSG

  4. potter says:

    Rumour has it that Willock is on £20,000 a week at Arsenal . According to Spotrac :- Shelvey is £75,000 and Saint Maximin £ 83,000 . The hold up is that he wants parity with those players and Newcastles offer is way below it.

  5. Dexter says:

    Morning all

    If Sheff Utd with to maximise the return on Ramsdale that’s their business I guess and I’m glad we’re not simply coughing up 25m or whatever. Even though we do need a keeper we still have till the end of the month. Sure its a risk, but if it means we get the right signing it’ll be worth it.

    I think the perception we’re a soft touch when it comes to selling players is more nuanced and complex than simply saying we sell cheap n buy steep! 🤣 I can think of a number signings we’ve sold for decent money.

    We might have sold players for less money than we wanted on occasion, but we’ve also got big bucks back too! I think it all depends on the buying club, the players wishes and the market etc.

    PL clubs are renowned for paying more and we’ve seen this summer at least, Arsenal standing firm over Xhaka and Roma.

    Honestly sometimes I think the club can’t win. We sell players we don’t want and the club get criticised for selling cheaply, or we stand firm and get slated for keeping dead wood!

    I’d love it if we sold the likes of Torreira, Xhaka, Bellerin for their actual market values, but its really difficult this season. I mean when it looked like Xhaka was going for 18m or and then a rumour Lacazette was available for 15m, the Internet almost wet its collective pants! 🤣

    I just want Arsenal to have the best, most balanced squad it can, without bankrupting itself in the process.

    Unfortunately we are suffering due to the changes in management, coaches and other behind the scenes staffing roles. All of whom have had a say in incoming and outgoings.

    That’s why I hope Arteta (and Edu, Garlick et al) do well and bring some much needed stability (and progress!) to the club.

    UTA!! ❤

  6. rico says:

    Morning Geoff, good to hear.

    No wonder the Willock deal is being held up Potter. I don’t think he’s in a position to demand that kind of money. Not yet anyway.

  7. rico says:

    This last couple of transfer windows have been unique though Dexter as clubs want to make as much money as they can with sales. The difference with Arsenal is we’re trying to sell players who are either at the wrong end of their career age wise and their wages are too high, or, they’re young but not overly sought after.

    Arteta alluded to the transfer window being busy in the final week so it could be that’s when the club will be a bit more active. Especially if the player/s they want to sign are pushing for a move.

  8. Dexter says:

    “The club, the owners and myself all have the same interest which is to make this team much stronger and we know we still have things to do to get what we want.

    “Things take time. There are all the time different parties involved to get deals done but we are trying. It’s important to make sure that the squad is healthy and we have stability which we missed last season…”

    OK, so let’s see how it pans out Mikel.

  9. Devilgunner says:

    Good afternoon Rico and all

    Just came across a post by someone on FB….the last game that Brentford played in the top division was in 1947 against Arsenal. Now….74 years later they open their account…….against Arsenal

    Are we on the verge of the third world war???

    Just asking!!!

  10. Aussie Geoff says:

    I hope Arteta has a dedicated striker lined up if we sell Laca as I don’t trust Auba to score every match.

    These young players need to concentrate on securing a permanent place in the senior team before they worry about trying to secure big pay days

  11. rico says:

    I have more faith in Balogun than I do Aubameyang and he’s not even guaranteed to start that often.

    Seriously though, Martinelli should play more this season, much more.

  12. Cicero says:

    Well if Willock has gone, that’s another £24/5 million in the piggy bank we should be able to afford The Blades asking price for Ramsdale.

  13. Dexter says:

    Good research Devil! I’ll take a cheeky 1 nil away win and clean sheet!

    If we sell Laca and sign Abraham, I’d actually really like that deal to happen now. I was totally unimpressed at first, probably due to signing Chav rejects, but he has loads of potential and is another home grown Gooner!

    And yeah I hope Martinelli gets a lot more game time, either up top or out wide.

    Unlike a lot on here, I still have a load of faith in Auba.

  14. Dexter says:

    Let’s sign Ramsdale, Abraham, Aouar and hope Roma come back for Xhaka and we sign an actual DM! Yes I’m a stuck record….

  15. Sue says:

    That’s something we agree on, Dexter, I have faith in Auba too 🙂 Longing to see that front flip…

    Nice read, Rico. It’s being reported Joe is on his way to Newcastle for his medical. Register him by 12 tomorrow and he can play against the Hammers (& score 😉)

    I’ve heard Odegaard’s name a lot recently, reckon he may return…

  16. Sue says:

    He is indeed, Dexter. I love the guy! Been tough reading a lot of the twitter ‘talk’ about him – hope he silences them all… starting tomorrow!!

  17. potter says:

    Paying anything like £40 million for Chelsea’s 3rd or 4th striker who scored 6 times in 22 league appearences doesn’t strike me as good business .
    It’s not as if Chelsea were scoring for fun , they only scored 3 more than us and he could hardly get in the team after Lampard’s sacking.
    If we are so desperate that we are selling Willock to raise cash then buy a player in a position where we need it.
    Right back or box to box midfield .

  18. rico says:

    Thanks Sue. For the sake of Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, I really hope Auba finds form again.

    Just reading around blogs through the tea interval in the cricket and some of the comments about Arsenal and Mikel are pretty awful. At least wait until after the Brentford game eh.. 😜

  19. Devilgunner says:

    I don’t think it’s a question of form Rico. It’s a question of attitude, mentality and commitment were Auba is concerned. Yes there is the issue of the effects malaria has had on him but I am sure that if that is the case then the medical department knows about thiyand informs Arteta. If the latter knows and still plays him then he deserves a medal for negligence.

  20. rico says:

    He’s young though, keen to prove a point and could be very good in the right team with the right coach. A bit of love and care goes a long way with some players.

    I think it’s form Devil, and a lack of confidence. Either that or he’s just fed up with the way we play.

  21. Sue says:

    It’ll only get a whole lot worse if we fail to win tomorrow, Rico!! ☹

    Well that didn’t take long for Big Rom to be announced… They’ll definitely compete with City

  22. Devilgunner says:

    It’s more that he is fed up Rico…. because Auba is a direct player….who feeds off long passes and direct football. That is why Laca is more suited to our styyof play…. because since he is slower he works on creating space and bringing others into play.

    For Auba to be the player he once was we have to play direct football like Chelsea.

  23. Sue says:

    Joe Willock said his goodbyes this afternoon to team-mates and staff at London Colney before leaving to complete his move to Newcastle. (Charles Watts)

  24. Dexter says:

    I watched a few Arae.com highlights of games where Auba and Laca played brilliantly together (AMN plated RB) so forgive me for thinking they can cut it again!

    I like Abraham, he’s got something about him and could end up being another Lukaku funnily enough.

    If we ain’t un for Maddison, then I hope we go for Aouar. …And Bissoyma!

  25. Rick says:

    Evening Rico and the House.
    Rico another great innings from the master chef today
    110 from 128 balls it gives the boys home game against yorks in one day cup

  26. Rick says:

    Rico re your 4.48pm.
    I think some of the comments being made about Edu, Mikal and the club are ott.
    To be called stupid by Carragah says it all

  27. Rick says:

    It was a great game of cricket between Essex and Lanc Rico
    It finished a tie with Harmer hitting 3sixes of consecitive balls in the last over

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