Re: The Official Winter Transfer Rumours Thread

[Sina]

not sure he is quite good enough but since he was previously mentioned here is latest video on him

Max Kruse - Borussia Mönchengladbach 2013/14:

8 Goals from43 shots
missed a sitter that proved costly in their last match   

[Raptorgunner]

Costa NOT interested in a move to Arsenal or Chelsea, says Atletico director of football

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2529950/Diego-Costa-NOT-interested-Arsenal-Chelsea-says-Atletico-Madrid-director-football.html#ixzz2ogtc0gIR

[REWB]

didnt max join monch last window?, dont see him leaving so soon.

[VendettaRed07]

Yeah we aren't signing Costa. l never thought we would even if he had a release clause of 5m. He wants to win something with Atletico in Spain.

On to SES.

[SamuelJayC]

Everyone has ruled out Costa joining us. Seems like it'll be hard to convince him away. Fee not the issue, given his release clause.

[MJ]

According to Italian paper Secolo XIX, Berlusconi has put Balotelli on the transfer list and is looking to get €25million back for the mercurial striker. PSG, Chelsea and Arsenal supposedly interested.



Not exactly a reliable source but if Wenger can rein his ego in then I don't see why not, perfectly potent striker and capable of providing a different dimension to Giroud.

[MJ]

Wenger (Sept 2009) "In particular I am keeping an eye out for Balotelli, a player I like very much.
"In my view he can be one of the best."

[Sina]

PSG Buy him and give us Godinson

[Emaharg]

Wenger (Sept 2009) "In particular I am keeping an eye out for Balotelli, a player I like very much.
"In my view he can be one of the best."

I think Balotelli leading the line would be amazing with the service he would get his finishing is top class, worried with his attitude although haven't heard him doing anything crazy in Italy though.

[Sina]

Stephan El Shaarawy has had an operation on a fractured metatarsal in his right foot. Out for 2-3 months.

Arsenal DNA poor lad

[RealGunner]

Shame.

[Raptorgunner]

I would absolutely love Balotelli to join us, young, talented, and under Wenger he would never be the way he was at City.

The price tag is not bad and the best we can do imo, even if we wait until summer, who is available?

[Chumlum]

I have mixed feelings about the possibility of Balotelli but for me it's kind of like hypothetically signing Berbatov: not ideal, but in a tight spot (which is where we are with the attack), could be a good acquisition because there's some proven quality.

Because there aren't really any great options available in January, the trick is to find someone good enough to sign for 6-18 months or more, but not someone who will demand so much that it may prevent future big signings up top in the summer or after.

Michael Cox recently wrote about Giroud & the striker problem on ESPN:

The question, however, is what type of player Wenger goes for. Ideally, he would purchase a player capable of leading the line on a regular basis -- big clubs should look to improve their first-choice options, rather than strengthen their reserves. Wenger would want a different style of striker, though, and a quicker and more ruthless player might harm Arsenal’s build-up play and affect the form of midfielders.

So who should Arsenal target? The likes of Suarez and Higuain will not move in January, and nor will players still involved in the European Cup, which rules out the likes of Diego Costa, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Robert Lewandowski, for example, without even beginning to consider whether these players would be open to a switch to North London. It’s difficult see where Wenger could find a genuinely top-class striker capable of making an immediate impact at the Emirates.

Even options from within the Premier League seem less promising than last summer. The likes of Christian Benteke and Michu, for example, have dipped in form but would still command a hefty fee. Meanwhile, the terms of Loic Remy’s Newcastle loan probably prevent QPR from selling him mid-season.

There’s no point in Wenger committing to a long-term contract with a type of forward Arsenal don’t really need. An expensive recruit must offer a significant improvement on, or a real stylistic alternative to, Giroud.

Realistically, there are probably two types of options. The first is for Wenger to invest serious money in a reasonably young and extremely talented forward, who will prove useful over a number of years and not just this season.

For example, if the Gunners boss rates someone like Kolbeinn Sigthorsson of Ajax highly, that move would make sense, although it would mean continuing with Giroud as first-choice for the rest of the campaign.

The alternative is a short-term move on a more established centre-forward. If Dimitar Berbatov is unhappy at Fulham, could a six-month loan move make sense for all parties? He’s not the ideal Arsenal striker but would be a superior alternative to Bendtner as a back-up, give Giroud a breather, and allow time for thought about a longer-term purchase in the summer.

Barring a shock move -- an audacious raid for someone like Radamel Falcao or Mario Balotelli -- it seems unlikely Arsenal will truly replace Giroud this January. The key to their chances of winning the Premier League, therefore, is the Frenchman returning to form.

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/tacticsandanalysis/id/2408?cc=5901

[MJ]

Surely there's some way we could buy Remy if we were serious with a bid? Don't think the loaning club would make it impossible to buy the player, probably just more expensive.

Really see Balotelli as the best option of all those mentioned, only question mark is the obvious one, his attitude.

[Hapless_Hans]

Balotelli would be spectacular!! What else could you want as a striker!!? If he's available and affordable what's there to hesitate?

[Jay29]

AC Milan have released a statement denying that Berlusconi said Balotelli was on the market, so forget it.

[RealGunner]

Linked with some 29 year old striker who plays for Laguna.

[Sina]

https://i.servimg.com/u/f43/16/93/79/64/37329810.gif https://i.servimg.com/u/f72/16/79/56/27/calma10.png

[MJ]

Sam's tweet about Berahino just reminded me:

Watched the West Ham - WBA match today and Berahino was an easy standout, glided around the pitch and had great technique, left the post rattling with a ridiculously curved free kick. I know he's just signed a new contract but he's definitely one for the future and I wonder what it would take to pry him away from West Brom.

[Chumlum]

As necessary as a forward signing seems, I am preparing myself for nobody to come in during the January window. Or possibly a young central defender (which to me seems very pressing too), but no first team attacking additions. I'm going to try to prevent getting frustrated by it if nothing happens.

That said. We should go for Jovetic at a cut rate. Dude's mainly been sitting bench and keeping the physios busy at City. Offer them £10-15 million and allow them to free up a space in their squad for some overpriced flavor-of-the-month forward in January. Bon Jovi will thrive under Arsenal's stellar track record with regard to injury-prone players, and surely start knocking in goals and providing assists at a crazy rate.

Deal with it.:

(I still like Jovetic as a player but I'm being totally facetious, of course.)

[Chumlum]

Couple days ago the Daily Mail (yeah yeah) mentioned Arsenal were planning to go for Michy Batshuayi this January window. This had cropped up before but it was the first time I'd seen the rumor mentioned this month I think.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2529389/Gunners-star-Bacary-Sagna-listen-offers-rival-clubs-seeks-longer-deal-pay-rise-Arsene-Wenger-prepares-sign-Belgian-striker-Michy-Batshuayi.html

[Raptorgunner]

What are our options for a striker?
Berbatov, £2million.
Pato, £8million
Álvaro Morata, loan.

I would take 2 of above if Bendtner leaves, and Morata and Berbatov would be good edition.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Versatile Morata may be the Real deal to boost Gunners' title run on loan in January

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2530573/Morata-Real-deal-Arsenal-January-boost-title-run.html#ixzz2oyG6JVOt

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@GrooverBlog
On CanalPlus, Giroud explains Tiotté's challenge on first half has cuts his boot, sock and foot. Played entire 2nd half with the pain

This is not good, we need to sign.

[Raptorgunner]

@sourcecentre 14m
Arsenal representatives meeting Diego #Costa representatives tonight. Fee between clubs is agreed. #AFC
        

[Sina]

Raptor pls

[RealGunner]

source centre

[Raptorgunner]

Raptor pls

I know, there will be way more crazy rumors that will make this one sound reliable in few days.  

[Sponsored content]