Re: The Official Summer Transfer Rumours Thread

[RealGunner]

Arsene wants cover in defence following the sale of Thomas Vermaelen, to Barcelona, with Benedikt Höwedes, Luiz Gustavo and William Carvalho high on his list

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11027181/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-targets-one-more-player-as-season-start-in-confident-mood.html

[MJ]

Would be fantastic to replace Vermaelen with Howedes and get one of Gustavo or Carvalho.

Would call us genuine title contenders then.

[McAgger]

Agger is 4th choice at Liverpool now, so I guess it would be better to be 3rd choice at Arsenal, but it would still be a bit of a pointless move from his perspective.

He would never move to another team in England, said so himself, it's pointless to even talk about it.

[djoe26]

Agger is 4th choice at Liverpool now, so I guess it would be better to be 3rd choice at Arsenal, but it would still be a bit of a pointless move from his perspective.

He would never move to another team in England, said so himself, it's pointless to even talk about it.

You never know, look how Cesc joined Chelsea.

[Jay29]

And how Lampard joined City.

Can't see Gustavo happening. We've had plenty of opportunities to sign him and have yet to do so. By this point Wenger either doesn't rate him and just doesn't see value in any potential deal.

Don't see Howedes or Carvalho happening, either. The way Wenger has talked up Chambers is making me doubt if he's really after a centre back of defensive midfielder at the moment.

[RealGunner]

I really think we are finished in the transfer market. No doubt Arsene will be looking at players till the last day but unless he can find someone who really is going to help and is available for a price he considers normal, we won't be getting anyone.

I hope I am wrong but I have already given up on transfers. Anyone new will be a pleasant surprise.

He will just make Chambers 3rd choice CB and Monreal 4th choice. In extreme cases, Flamini at CB. Not very convenient though

[Twoism]

The 1st red flag is making Arteta captain, which generally means Wenger still see him as regular starter. Everyone and their mothers screaming for BFG but obviously Wenger has different idea. The 2nd is Nacho playing as CB in 2nd half and the way Wenger talked about him and Chambers after the game.

I dont think we will sign DM, i still hope for another CB though, Chambers, Miguel & Nacho >.<

[McAgger]

Agger is 4th choice at Liverpool now, so I guess it would be better to be 3rd choice at Arsenal, but it would still be a bit of a pointless move from his perspective.

He would never move to another team in England, said so himself, it's pointless to even talk about it.

You never know, look how Cesc joined Chelsea.

Did Cesc ever tattoo the Arsenal crest on himself and reject moves to bigger clubs in his prime?

Not even comparable

[djoe26]

He would never move to another team in England, said so himself, it's pointless to even talk about it.

You never know, look how Cesc joined Chelsea.

Did Cesc ever tattoo the Arsenal crest on himself and reject moves to bigger clubs in his prime?

Not even comparable

All i meant was that there is no loyalty left in this game anymore.

[MJ]

The 1st red flag is making Arteta captain, which generally means Wenger still see him as regular starter. Everyone and their mothers screaming for BFG but obviously Wenger has different idea. The 2nd is Nacho playing as CB in 2nd half and the way Wenger talked about him and Chambers after the game.

I dont think we will sign DM, i still hope for another CB though, Chambers, Miguel & Nacho >.<

Because Wenger wouldn't bench someone if they were captain...

[Twoism]

If he intends to buy 1st choice DM at the 1st place yeap, he would make some other 1st team starter to be a captain. TV5 was undisputed starter when he made captain and so did every other ones. Make no sense to make back up player captain while the club has plenty of leadership quality in BFG or Rambo.

[MJ]

Regardless of his status at the time, Wenger had no issue benching Vermaelen because of his role as captain.

Unless Wenger really hasn't had any serious interest in a DM all summer then that's going to remain the same. I don't think he puts that much thought into who's going to be captain.

[Twoism]

It's all speculation at this point though, w/o CB or DM signings, this summer has been 7/10 for me. It would be 9/10 with some sort of DM or CB cover though. Still has sometimes left until the end of the window.

[VendettaRed07]

you cannot have your 2nd choice fullbacks also be the 3rd/4th choice cbs. That is absolutely bonkers. lt is completely irresponsible to sell Vermaelen and not replace him.

[Chumlum]

Best not to read too much in either direction re: Arteta's captaincy and possible signings. There is evidence either way.

Wenger has been pretty open that he is potentially on the market for 1-2 more players, particularly if Vermaelen moved. And reputable sources (e.g. Ornstein) have corroborated this.

But we also know that Wenger won't be pressured to spend if he thinks a price is too much for a player who doesn't improve on what he has. He's gambled on squad depth before and he can definitely gamble again.

I expect one more player to come in, myself. Two might be more ideal, but hard to see happening in this window, given circumstances.

[McAgger]

You never know, look how Cesc joined Chelsea.

Did Cesc ever tattoo the Arsenal crest on himself and reject moves to bigger clubs in his prime?

Not even comparable

All i meant was that there is no loyalty left in this game anymore.

Although obviously true there are still some players that it doesn't apply to and Agger being one of them.

[Peccadillo]

There will 100% be another signing - come on get real! Wenger is really not an idiot. As Vendetta said, you cant make your second choice full backs 3rd and 4th choice CBs...

Worst case scenario we sign a 3rd choice CB only - as chum said either unproven but young or a seasoned PL vet.

I'm still confident will make another big signing before deadline day.

[Peccadillo]

Did Cesc ever tattoo the Arsenal crest on himself and reject moves to bigger clubs in his prime?

Not even comparable

All i meant was that there is no loyalty left in this game anymore.

Although obviously true there are still some players that it doesn't apply to and Agger being one of them.

Maybe Cesc just think club tats are tacky... He did reject moves to bigger clubs with one exception and was a much more sought after player than Agger.

[McAgger]

The guy is playing for one of your hated rivals gtfo

Comparing Agger's loyalty to that pos

[urbaNRoots]

There's being pessimistic and there's believing Wenger will go into the season with only two natural CB's into the season

We will sign one more CB I'm sure but defensive midfielder I doubt it and have doubted it since the start of the transfer window for many reasons.

[RedMamba]

There's being pessimistic and there's believing Wenger will go into the season with only two natural CB's into the season

We will sign one more CB I'm sure but defensive midfielder I doubt it and have doubted it since the start of the transfer window for many reasons.

so despite spending money, should this transfer window be considered a downer?

[urbaNRoots]

No, not really. I wouldn't consider it a downer if we don't sign one player which was expected to sign but didn't. It is not a perfect one either, I believe we're about 2 players away from a complete squad.

[Sri]

Agree with Urbi. Like I wrote (in another thread?) yesterday, this window started in a very promising way, but because we had a flurry of 4 signings and then a lull for the last 2-3 weeks, its seems like we are lazing off - 7 on 10.

However, both Gazidis and Wenger said there would be a lull and the market would kick on again towards the last 2 weeks of August. This has to do with the absence of stimuli and/or activity from the other bigger clubs. So, ideally, we should see some activity in the next few days.

I am not holding my breath on this, but I do have a positive feeling about the coming days. We could potentially have a 9 or a 10 on 10 transfer window, in my view.

[Sri]

The media have lined them with a number of players this summer. Here’s a round-up of the main contenders for the spot should Arsene Wenger dip into the transfer market.

http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/12/the-four-contenders-to-replace-thomas-vermaelen-at-arsenal-4829367/

Daniel Agger

The Liverpool vice-captain is said to be looking to leave the club in order to gain more playing time. Troubled by injury last season, Liverpool have claimed they have had no contact for the Danish international as Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for him in the media. He is the oldest centre-back linked with Arsenal but the most experienced in the Premier League and can also slot in at left-back if needed. Under contract until 2016.

Kostas Manolas

Arsenal are said to be the favourites to land this Greek central defender from Olympiacos due to the relationship they established when they sent Joel Campbell on loan there last season. The much sought after defender is only 23 and is likely to be the cheapest option of all the players linked with a move to Arsenal. Under contract until 2016.

Benedikt Howedes

A new name on the list and one which ticks a number of Arsene Wenger’s boxes. Howedes, fresh from his World Cup win with Germany, would offer the Arsenal manager a number of different options given that he can play in a variety of defensive roles across the back-line and as a defensive midfielder. Under contract until 2017, the Schalke captain would not be cheap but would bring a wealth of experience and adaptability to the squad.

Matija Nastasic

The Manchester City man is deemed to be surplus to requirements at the Etihad despite only being at the club for two seasons and still only 21. Much admired by Wenger for some time, he is under contract with City until 2017 and would like come with a ‘rival premium’ attached should City even entertain selling him to Arsenal. Young, experienced in England and can also slot in to left-back if needed.


Arsenal certainly need to reinforce at the back and what’s clear from the names being linked with a move is that there are options available out there. Just who Arsene Wenger opts for is impossible to tell. Having said he would like a utility player Howedes would be the obvious top candidate from this list, but will he move?

Sadly transfers aren’t quite as easy as identifying a player and then signing him. An agreement has to be found between all three parties – the buying club, the selling club and the player.

This all could very well go down to the wire on deadline day.

________________________________________________

Then ofcourse, there was the Mats Hummels stuff. And Schär, since some wanted it

[El Gunner]

I really think we should replace Vermaelen.
It would be stupid of Wenger to not do so, and such a decision will definitely come back to haunt us.
You can already see how we're going to play a CB pairing of Chambers - Monreal against Bayern Munich in the CL.

[RealGunner]

Arsenal start negotiations with Olympiakos over £8m deal for Kostas Manolas [Goal]

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