Re: The Official Summer Transfer Rumours Thread

[AnJl]

I don't know about you guys, but I won't be satisfied at this propsed 'change of the guard' at Arsenal, if we dont and sign a proper defensive midfielder.

Call me pessimistic, but we need results.

[Sri]

Isn't that what that Sampdoria kid is supposed to be filling?

[Sina]

Unai Emery wants Argentina midfielder Ever Banega. He could be acquired for 12m. Emery worked with Banega at Valencia and Sevilla and is very keen. Others doubt his ability to stand the PL pace though. #arsenal #afc #allchange

— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) June 19, 2018

Was one of the first to report Emery appointment

[Twoism]

With Jack gone, this doesn't look too out there anymore

[Jay29]

To put what's happening at the club in perspective, here's an Arsenal team that was probably fielded once:

Szczesny

Debuchy - Gabriel - Mertesacker - Gibbs

Cazorla - Wilshere

Walcott - Chamberlain - Sanchez

Giroud

One has retired, two have left at the end of their contracts and the other eight have been sold all in the last year.

Could be more departures to come, too. Ospina could leave, Ramsey and Welbeck still yet to sign new deals, Mustafi's future is always in doubt, and there's Chambers/Holding as well. I've a hunch all but Ospina will stay, though, leaving us with:

Leno/Cech

Bellerin/Lichtsteiner  Sokratis/Chambers/Holding  Koscielny/Mustafi  Monreal/Kolasinac

Torreira/Elneny  Xhaka/Maitland-Niles

Mkhitaryan/Iwobi  Ozil/Ramsey  Aubameyang/Welbeck

Lacazette/Nketiah

Definitely room for another attacker in there if we're unwilling to rely on a youth player. I don't see room for Banega unless he's going to be back-up for Ozil, which would push Ramsey back in central midfield and limit AMN's game time (though AMN could play on the flanks, I suppose).

Also worth considering that our current non-HG player count is 16 if you include Sokratis and Torreira (the max is 17). So if Ospina leaves we'd able to sign two more non-HG players.

[S]

Samp president practically confirms Torreira move :

"Sampdoria do not sell unless there are excellent offers," Ferrero told SportItalia .

"We do not look for buyers. We have natural talents whose values increase exponentially.

"Sampdoria is a stepping stone. It's a family-run club and that allows players to grow up. It's normal they have aspirations to play for big clubs, but I do not need to sell out.

"Torreira has left for €30 million. I bought him from Pescara when no one believed.

[urbaNRoots]

Any signing now depends on departures:

Banega for Ramsey if he leaves
Martins/Pavon/for Welbeck
Soyuncu for Mustafi if he can find a new club

[RealGunner]

Would like Banega at Arsenal for Wilshere's replacement. No way he can replace Ramsey though. Completely different.

[RealGunner]

Kike tells me that his tweet was meant to say #AFC are targeting both: Torreira & Banega. He *thinks* it is possible they end up at the club this summer. Let’s see.

— Arsènic (@MrArsenicTM) June 20, 2018

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

Shortest midfield in the history of the PL

[El Gunner]

Not so long ago Chelsea won the league with Kante and Fabregas?

[Sina]

Would like Banega at Arsenal for Wilshere's replacement. No way he can replace Ramsey though. Completely different.

Agreed
Really need to keep Ramsey.whoever we can sign would be downgrade

[Twoism]

So Jay said Banega is at most sub for Ozil and people been calling him out Jack replacement, now I’m confused, two very different profiles.

[Mr Nick09]

you should listen to Jay who watches Sevilla week in and week out. From what i know he can play CM or AM comfortably, even in a double pivot as an attacking option

[Kick]

Not so long ago Chelsea won the league with Kante and Fabregas?

And Matic?

[Jay29]

Banega can play deep or in attacking midfield equally well. Emery used him as a number 10 in front a defensive double pivot, hence I believe he'd be Ozil's backup/rotation option were he to come here.

He's a Wilshere replacement in terms of positions he can cover but that's about it. In terms of style, Banega is closer to Cazorla. He's not as busy or as bustling as Cazorla is, but his footwork is similar, he likes to wait for the opposition to come to him before making a move, he has great agility and ball control under pressure and has the passing range. When he's deep he can find good forward passes or spread the play to the wings. When he's up the pitch, he can thread passes through defences or try a scoop pass over the top. He's also a very handy tackler and actually won more tackles per game than N'Zonzi did last season.

His weaknesses are that he lacks strength and can be shoved off the ball quite easily, can be prone to over-elaborate by taking too many touches on the ball and is a little inconsistent. He's also 29. I'm not convinced this is a good time for him to come to the Premier League or whether he has the mentality to adapt to a different country and style of football.

Having said that, I can see why Arsenal would be looking at him. Among our current midfield options, only Ozil is comfortable keeping the ball against pressing teams. Cazorla and Wilshere were as well but they're gone now. It wouldn't hurt to have another midfielder with excellent technique like Banega for times we need to take better care of the ball or when Ozil isn't available - and going off last season, that could be more often than we'd like.

[silver]

Didn't Emery say that Ramsey was a key player? I imagine Ramsey, Ozil and Aubameyang are sure starters and then everyone else fits around them.

Our CBs still look weak.

[urbaNRoots]

That was just a rumour, he hasn‘t publicly commented on any player but Wilshere when he was asked in his press conference.

[RealGunner]

“#AFC insist on Banega, Emery likes to add him to the squad. The transfer is a bit difficult on two fronts: Sevilla will not let him go easily & player and his family are settled in Sevilla and would like to think deeply before saying goodbye.”https://t.co/fV4aTp5wM9

— Arsènic (@MrArsenicTM) June 21, 2018

i must say i am liking this rumour. Always admired him on fifa

[Sina]

TMW: Another clash between #AFC and Napoli in this transfer market could be happening. In the past few hours, Arsenal have made enquiries about #Lobotka https://t.co/a5cpig8TRu

— Arsènic (@MrArsenicTM) June 23, 2018

[RealGunner]

who? jay?

[Sina]

*NEW*: Stanislav Lobotka – Celta’s star midfielder.

I wrote a detailed analysis of the Slovakian midfielder and why so many clubs should be pursuing him this summer (including Arsenal).https://t.co/XfqFX8V1Bw #RCCelta pic.twitter.com/gfePxJmJAO

— PM (@ThatGooner) May 31, 2018

Anti-XHAKA basically
Not happening ;(

[urbaNRoots]

Tuttomercato should be banned as a source imo.

[Sina]

were first to report Torreira interest
justice for TuttoMercatoWeb

[rincon]

Lobotka looked great in the U21s last summer. Him and Skriniar were dominant in the Slovakia team.

[urbaNRoots]

It wouldn't surprise me if we did want another centre midfielder, or even defensive midfielder. Emery seems to like that solid defensively midfield.

Think he will convert Ramsey to an attacking midfielder once and for all.

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