Re: The Official Arsenal Winter Transfers/Rumours Thread

[djoe26]

1-2 players short.

Story of Arsenal.

[SamuelJayC]

Croatian media reporting that Arsenal have told Fiorentina they will pay £19.3m for Stevan Jovetić - http://bit.ly/10HTqQT

Fiorentina forward Jovetić has admitted there is a release clause in his contract (believed to be £25m). Club adamant he won't leave.

[Jay29]

If that's true, we might as well just pay his release clause because that's what Fiorentina will ask us to pay 100% of the time. You're not going to be able to haggle that price down.

[Sri]

I understand your views fellows, I do. And I share some of your opinions.

Its just that I don't see how directing our anger and frustration at 3 individuals solves any of these issues. I hold the entire board and staff responsible for the poor decisions off the pitch and players for the poor performances on the pitch. Its collective responsibility.

And no, I don't agree on the topic of player wages of Ramsey and Chamberlain. Turn back to the first half of last season for pre-Rosicky performances of Ramsey. Or the AC Milan game at the Emirates for Chamberlain. These players run down their contracts and leave for rival clubs and you have a problem. The club acts proactively for a bloody change to keep our best players together and you still have a problem.

We need to stop acting like effing hypocrites and look at the whole damn mess more objectively. Pointing fingers, witch hunts and criticism are okay for me, as long as they are balanced with a big picture view, collective responsibility and appreciation of what the club does do right. Like getting new commercial deals and sponsorships to ensure we are not left behind in what Manchester United or Bayern Munich or Barcelona or Real Madrid have. THIS will help us meet our operating costs without having to sell the Cescs, Na$ris, Songs and Wilsheres.

Yes, you read that right. When we don't have the bloody money to pay the wages we have ended ourselves up with, we will be forced to sell. And these very guys we are blaming now are trying to stop that situation from happening.

[Sri]

Croatian media reporting that Arsenal have told Fiorentina they will pay £19.3m for Stevan Jovetić - http://bit.ly/10HTqQT

Fiorentina forward Jovetić has admitted there is a release clause in his contract (believed to be £25m). Club adamant he won't leave.

Why would Fiorentina sell below the release clause? Especially when they don't need to sell, and the player himself is happy there?

I don't see any legitimacy here. Not when you factor in the whole Wenger-in-Germany-for-30-million-Götze stuff. (not that I believe that either )

[SUPERCARTTS]

If that's true, we might as well just pay his release clause because that's what Fiorentina will ask us to pay 100% of the time. You're not going to be able to haggle that price down.

Absolutely tight fisted we are. No team besides a handful actually pay 100% of a transfer fee up front. If we're going to pay it in say three instalments, then it will equate to £8.3m a year. That is small change!!!

I can see City gazumping us...AGAIN!

[Jay29]

I question the wages given to Ramsey and Chamberlain because we've already set a dangerous precedent. Rather than rewarding players for form, we're rewarding them for talent. It's the same strategy that saw Denilson and Bendtner earning £50k p/w and we all know how they both turned out. It doesn't really matter if Ramsey and Chamberlain are more talented, they simply haven't done enough to earn such high wages yet.

It's fine that we've extended their current deals, but I feel that the high wage increase is an unnecessary risk because at this point there is every chance they could not reach their potential and we'll end up in a situation where we can't move them on.

[Jay29]

If that's true, we might as well just pay his release clause because that's what Fiorentina will ask us to pay 100% of the time. You're not going to be able to haggle that price down.

Absolutely tight fisted we are. No team besides a handful actually pay 100% of a transfer fee up front. If we're going to pay it in say three instalments, then it will equate to £8.3m a year. That is small change!!!

I can see City gazumping us...AGAIN!

For release clauses, you actually have to pay all of it upfront, I believe. You can't pay it in instalments or use other players as make-weights.

The only way for Arsenal to pay the fee in instalments is if they agree a lower price. Otherwise, it's £25mil up front or nothing.

[Sri]

@jay: I respect your opinion on the wages. I would share the same if we were discussing about Aneke, Afobe, Frimpong or the likes. In case of Ramsey and Alex, I do not agree however. For me, they are players who must be tied down and the wages are not excessive - compare with Walcott at 100k or Jack at 85k p/w. If the wages are high, then are we making an exception for Jack here?

How come nobody wants to argue on that? Because Jack can't put a foot wrong and always plays his heart out and is sheer top, top, top quality? I agree, he is. But thats not to guarantee he will fulfill his potential either. Or that he will be immune to injuries and never face a career-threatening tackle ever again. And yet, for a 21 y/o, 85k p/w is acceptable? What when we offer him a new contract 3 years later, he will dign again for 90k? Would he not expect a bump up again?

I am not saying he is greedy or lacks commitment or anything. I love Jack as much as any of you here. But being soft on one case and taking up arms in another is the hypocrisy I see in vast sections of Arsenal supporters. And that is what I am arguing against.

[Sri]

And while we are talking about Jack.

I thought Robin van Persie was an Arsenal man through and through. He was destined to be the legend. But we all know how that ended up.

I have learnt now, that what a player says is to be taken with spoonfuls of salt. The likes of Tony Adams are not going to happen in the way the modern game is. I will not be surprised if any/all these 'core' players want to leave a couple of years later. We are capable of such shit hitting the ceiling fan.

[MJ]

We've got a bare minimum of 3 years out of these players no matter what unless we somehow hit financial rock bottom and are forced to sell.


Btw, Fiorentina bought Giuseppe Rossi in early January, could replace Jovetic.

[Wilson37]

atm, i dont bother us breaking the bank or bidding huge like 30million for some top top quality player regardless of the position .. it is clear that we dont have many or even any of that class.. United have already shown us that we dont need a balanced team to win.. they have Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandes.. they added RVP.. now they are going for Lewandowski...
so we may not need to strengthen our defense or dm to win games.. like in the past when we outplayed all the teams.. so that we dont need much tactical changes and go by 'attack is the best defence' policy...

[Wilson37]

William Savage ‏@SavageGooner

We sign a player from Ligue 1. "Bleep off, shit league. I bet they're shit! I don't even need to watch them to know, they play in Ligue 1!

Someone else signs a player from Ligue 1. "Bleep sake Venga. I've never seen him play, but someone on twitter has so he must be brilliant!"

so true

[Raptorgunner]

Wenger – Arsenal are unlikely to make Third Place, but Fourth is possible…..

Wenger"It gives me confidence but it is also frustrating as we don’t want to be in this position,”

“We want to challenge for the championship and therefore now until the end of the season we really have to stand up and show our strength and character.
Challang for top is the championship he is talking about,Are we really that pathetic?

Arsene Wenger feels that #Arsenal squandered a "fantastic opportunity" to win the Premier League title this season.

Dont worry Wenger will win it next year when you are gone.

[SUPERCARTTS]

If that's true, we might as well just pay his release clause because that's what Fiorentina will ask us to pay 100% of the time. You're not going to be able to haggle that price down.

Absolutely tight fisted we are. No team besides a handful actually pay 100% of a transfer fee up front. If we're going to pay it in say three instalments, then it will equate to £8.3m a year. That is small change!!!

I can see City gazumping us...AGAIN!

For release clauses, you actually have to pay all of it upfront, I believe. You can't pay it in instalments or use other players as make-weights.

The only way for Arsenal to pay the fee in instalments is if they agree a lower price. Otherwise, it's £25mil up front or nothing.

Ahh fook it then. We've coated along, long enough, with meagre transfers and stock pilling of cash. With the money we gave remaining from the summer + what we'll be selling and saving in wages - a maximum of £25m for a proven player makes sense

[Jay29]

@jay: I respect your opinion on the wages. I would share the same if we were discussing about Aneke, Afobe, Frimpong or the likes. In case of Ramsey and Alex, I do not agree however. For me, they are players who must be tied down and the wages are not excessive - compare with Walcott at 100k or Jack at 85k p/w. If the wages are high, then are we making an exception for Jack here?

How come nobody wants to argue on that? Because Jack can't put a foot wrong and always plays his heart out and is sheer top, top, top quality? I agree, he is. But thats not to guarantee he will fulfill his potential either. Or that he will be immune to injuries and never face a career-threatening tackle ever again. And yet, for a 21 y/o, 85k p/w is acceptable? What when we offer him a new contract 3 years later, he will dign again for 90k? Would he not expect a bump up again?

I am not saying he is greedy or lacks commitment or anything. I love Jack as much as any of you here. But being soft on one case and taking up arms in another is the hypocrisy I see in vast sections of Arsenal supporters. And that is what I am arguing against.

I agree that Wilshere's and Walcott's wages are excessive, however, I believe age to be a non-factor in determining how much a player earns. What we should be looking at is contribution. When you examine the contribution that Wilshere and Walcott make to this team, you can somewhat justify their high wages. By comparison, when you do the same with Ramsey and Chamberlain, it's hard to see just what they have done to be given the wages they have been.

Even if Wilshere doesn't become a better player, he is, right now, one of Arsenal's best players; some would actually argue that he is THE best in the squad and it's easy to see why. At a club pushing for top four/titles, top players should be earning around £70k to £90k. It's a similar case with Walcott. As he is right now, he's one of Arsenal's most productive players and a valuable member of the team. He should be also be within that £70-90k bracket but I've a feeling the lateness of his extension resulted in some inflation of his wages.

If people argue that Wilshere will grow into his wages but Ramsey and Chamberlain won't, then yes, that is hypocrisy and not a line of thinking I agree with. However, if you asked people who is more deserving, people would, in my opinion, rightfully say Jack Wilshere.

[Raptorgunner]

Wenger has to stop being a bank manager and become a football manager, we are suffering because he is trying to do everything by himself.

Paying high wages to unproven players is a big mistake, now they all think they are big shots and when it comes down to contracts talk they will betray us, because their agents put too much bullshit in their heads.

Malaga are paying Isco 5k a week, and he can walk in to our starting line up, Chelsea are paying Mata 55k a week, I know there are bones and they will get better contracts.

We have to change and only Arsenal suffers at the end, there is no loyalty in football, even Jack could leave.

[Sri]

@jay: I respect your opinion on the wages. I would share the same if we were discussing about Aneke, Afobe, Frimpong or the likes. In case of Ramsey and Alex, I do not agree however. For me, they are players who must be tied down and the wages are not excessive - compare with Walcott at 100k or Jack at 85k p/w. If the wages are high, then are we making an exception for Jack here?

How come nobody wants to argue on that? Because Jack can't put a foot wrong and always plays his heart out and is sheer top, top, top quality? I agree, he is. But thats not to guarantee he will fulfill his potential either. Or that he will be immune to injuries and never face a career-threatening tackle ever again. And yet, for a 21 y/o, 85k p/w is acceptable? What when we offer him a new contract 3 years later, he will dign again for 90k? Would he not expect a bump up again?

I am not saying he is greedy or lacks commitment or anything. I love Jack as much as any of you here. But being soft on one case and taking up arms in another is the hypocrisy I see in vast sections of Arsenal supporters. And that is what I am arguing against.

I agree that Wilshere's and Walcott's wages are excessive, however, I believe age to be a non-factor in determining how much a player earns. What we should be looking at is contribution. When you examine the contribution that Wilshere and Walcott make to this team, you can somewhat justify their high wages. By comparison, when you do the same with Ramsey and Chamberlain, it's hard to see just what they have done to be given the wages they have been.

Even if Wilshere doesn't become a better player, he is, right now, one of Arsenal's best players; some would actually argue that he is THE best in the squad and it's easy to see why. At a club pushing for top four/titles, top players should be earning around £70k to £90k. It's a similar case with Walcott. As he is right now, he's one of Arsenal's most productive players and a valuable member of the team. He should be also be within that £70-90k bracket but I've a feeling the lateness of his extension resulted in some inflation of his wages.

If people argue that Wilshere will grow into his wages but Ramsey and Chamberlain won't, then yes, that is hypocrisy and not a line of thinking I agree with. However, if you asked people who is more deserving, people would, in my opinion, rightfully say Jack Wilshere.

But but but. Neither Ramsey nor Alex are earning 70-90k p/w, thats my point! For their contribution, they are earning 60 and 52 kp/w iirc, which is not excessive. Well atleast that is my opinion.

Obviously, I can't compare this with Mata or Isco.. But I can compare that with the standards English teams have set in paying British footballers. The Milners, Barrys and likes.

I agree on the Theo wage inflation bit.

[Jay29]

We'll probably have to agree to disagree, because for their contribution, I do believe £60k and £52k to be excessive, especially when you consider the wage increase for both is something between an extra £20-30k. Wilshere and Walcott (and Gibbs and Jenkinson, too, to a certain extent) at least got increases for what they contributed during their previous contracts, but I can't say the same for Ramsey and Chamberlain.

[Sri]

We'll probably have to agree to disagree, because for their contribution, I do believe £60k and £52k to be excessive, especially when you consider the wage increase for both is something between an extra £20-30k. Wilshere and Walcott (and Gibbs and Jenkinson, too, to a certain extent) at least got increases for what they contributed during their previous contracts, but I can't say the same for Ramsey and Chamberlain.

Lets do that.

[Jay29]

Here's to hoping our British core becomes GOAT.

Anyway, time for some more depressing news:

@YoungGunsBlog: So it starts: Bacary Sagna says staying at Arsenal 'is difficult question'. Contract ends next season, Inter and PSG both keen.

@YoungGunsBlog: Sagna disgruntled in Arsenal dressing room. Unhappy at player sales. No talks over a new deal - future will be decided in July.

[Raptorgunner]

Sagna: "I would like to win something with the club before I leave."

This guy is a legend.

[Amar]

I'm not even that depressed cause I saw this coming from the start of the season.

You can't expect him to stay for long when he keeps putting in top class performances and then watching the best players on the team get sold.

I just wish him the best wherever he goes.

[RealGunner]

Wait, why would Croatian media know if we are after jovetic or not ?

also, why are we not going mad over Sagna's contract ? he is more important than Walcott.

[Raptorgunner]

Wait, why would Croatian media know if we are after jovetic or not ?

also, why are we not going mad over Sagna's contract ? he is more important than Walcott.

+1.

[Raptorgunner]

At first I could not wait for the window to open, now I just want it close, tired of all these rumors and no signings.

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