Over the last few days Arsenal have been linked strongly with a January move for Ever Banega.
The 30 year is a player that Unai Emery knows well from his time at Sevilla, and with reinforcements required when the transfer window opens, his name is mentioned as a possible recruit.
He was linked during the summer too, but no deal ever materialised, and at this point he seems like a strange target for the Gunners. He’s another player the wrong side of 30 who would have little or no resale value, and with the club set to lose Aaron Ramsey for free in the summer, a transfer fee plus substantial wages for the Argentine international doesn’t make a lot of sense.
However, January sales might well see money come in, as well as creating space in the squad for the midfielder.
Reports from Argentina say that Raul Sanllehi is working on a deal, while some suggest the player’s agent has been in London for talks.
It’s a difficult one to get on top of, but for now we’d remain pretty skeptical about this potential deal – not least because of our more pressing need for a defender and someone to play in the final third.
A runny 7 on the Poo-O-Meter.
Emery in hot water + January sales on Raul and Sven’s agenda?
The poo-o-meter is back! My night has been made.
Banega may not be bad but we could and should be aiming better.
Come on Sven, we know it and so do you.
I thought he was terrible at the WC in the final 2 games for Argentina. Sure he is great at incisive passes, but he doesn’t track runners, no recovery pace, and couldn’t tackle. He’s like a less mobile, poor man’s Jorginho.
He was one of their best, given their terrible run.
I can see why we would go for Banega. He is a link man, creative and industrious. With Ozil now essentially a bit part player, we do lack something in this department. Regarding his age and resale value, this is the type of signing that has brought Mourinho so much success over the years. Mourinho did not tend to buy players with resale in mind. He buys players that will win him things straight away. 29/30 years olds at the peak of their game. Then after a few years when they are no longer useful, he signs a new bumper… Read more »
Personally, I’d be very happy with Banega if it was accompanied by the signing of a young gun who can learn from Banega. For me, this would be Pablo Fornals from Villarreal, who we were linked with recently. Those two would cost under £50m combined, and would give us real quality in that area between midfield and attack for several years
i was thinking the same thing. banega would be a fantastic buy. he is serial winner and a player with increadible character. somthing we could use as much as we can. he can also be a short term fix for i think the second attacking midfield position, position where mkhi is playing(upgrade on him maybe). someone who can link midfield and attack and provide a bit of bite for them. and we can also buy fornals or aouar from lyon. both of them have incredible potential
It makes no sense at all.
Which it’s probably going to happen.
Kim Kallstrom anyone?
More like Mikel arteta
I like Arteta. Did a proper job with the tools he had at his disposal.
I wouldnt mind us getting this dude and that Calero at CB in early Janury and Ramsey going for whatever pittance we can beg for and then hopefully have time to go after a decent attacker (maybe in a deal involving Ozil).
A decent striker? I thought we had a couple. Who’s leading the scoring charts?
Oops thought I read striker….
That said I think our main purchase should be at Centre half
No way jose..
Very interesting list, thanks. But somehow I don’t think we’ll end up with any of them. Rabiot has been linked with us in previous windows, but if current rumours are to be believed he’s off to Barca. Cesc is sadly past it, and I think Mata and Godin will stay put. And Mario, Ribery and Robben just don’t seem like Arsenal signings to me. I’m far more concerned with who’s leaving us on a free. There’s also a few others of ours who were left off the list. As well as Ramsey, there’s Cech, Monreal, Welbeck and Lichtsteiner. Add in… Read more »
Whoops – I meant to reply to Chiza’s list of players up for free transfers. Fat fingers…
Haven’t we sold Jack in the summer ?
Jack left on a free
PLAYERS OUT OF CONTRACT THIS SUMMER
– Adrien Rabiot
– Mario Balotelli
– Ander Herrera
– Diego Godin
– Juan Mata
– Cesc Fabregas
– David Luiz
– Aaron Ramsey
– Toby Alderweireld
– Yacine Brahimi
– Mousa Dembélé
– Filipe Luis
– Arjen Robben
– Franck Ribéry
Damn it.. I’m OK with Godin,rabiot and brahimi/robben
Robben already looked like my grand father five years ago.
am I the only one that wants Cesc the most out of that list??
His legs have gone and to the list Robben, Ribery and Godin are well over 30.
Yeah. WTF with the old fogeys.
Licthsteiner, who I happen to think still has much to offer, is getting up there. Not as fast as he once was.
Cesc (how I loved him in an Arsenal kit – and frankly still do) is the past. Folks need to wake up and realize this ain’t your dad’s Arsenal anymore.
Most of the players on that list are old, over-rated, or worse (Balotelli … really?). This ain’t FIFA the videogame, gents.
Godin might be over 30 but he was a beast at the WC.
I’d be happier with him as our ‘over the hill free signing defender ‘ than I am in hindsight with Lichsteiner
Are the thumbs up for “l want cesc back as well” or “yes you’re the only one”?
hahaha thats a good question..
You’re the only one…watched a lot of Chelsea last season (keeping an eye on Giroud) and Cesc was pretty awful.
Alderweireld, Mata, Filipe Luis, Brahimi, Rabiot ?
I think Alderweireld has been the best defender in England the last couple of years (at least whenever, which is often, Kompany was hurt). I assumed he was going to Man United for a huge pay increase, and I think that is still likely.
Spuds have just triggered an extension in Alderweireld’s contract so he won’t be available until the summer of 2020. With that also comes a release clause of £25m which becomes active in the summer of 2019. Having said that, I can’t see him making the move over to us, even though I think he’s one of the best defenders in the league.
That release clause isn’t likely to keep him there, and he’ll want out even more when Poch goes.
Alderweireld would be okay. Obviously would need a vigorous clean up from being homeless so long.
I’d take him, could be like Sol all over again.
Luiz would be a shout. Doubt they’d sell him to us in January though. Alderweireld has just extended which means £25m in summer and unavailable now. Godin maybe?
I wouldn’t take David Luiz if he paid us…too error prone!
Alderweireld not out of contract. Sp*rs just activated an option year on his contract, which also activates a release clause of £25M (somewhat cheap).
Personally, I think it would be a laugh if we offered £25M + £1 just to see the rage in Daniel Levy’s eyes.
Robben – no, he’s a cunt
Ribéry – no (see: Robben)
Ballotelli – lol, no
Ramsey for Rabbiot! make it happen!
Rabiot, a guy who said “F***” to Deschamps before the WC and who is so good that he is preserved by Tuchel for the finale of the CL… a lil petulant boy… yes, why not…
Don’t rely on reputation.. Aubameyang was described as a trouble maker before he arrived. Someone too focused on fighting with Tuchel and his flashy cars.
All of that was BS. Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same with Rabiot.
Auba was never described a trouble maker but he did do everything to get a move from dortmund which is why we were able to get him in January… rabiot has consistently shown himself to be a prat, it’s not really even debatable
Yes let’s sign one of the most poisonous personalities in football
Exactly right–Aubameyang never had any problem except at the very end, when he insisted on leaving Dortmund, and has had no problems at Arsenal. Rabiot is a very different story.
He had problems with them before de tried to sign him not the other way around.
Wonder if we’re going to see Kroenke to start dipping his hand in his pocket to back the new manager?
If you are holding your breathe for that… I guess we won’t be hearing from you anymore
What this team desperately needs is a out and out dribbler of the ball. The current squad has plenty of players who possess excellent passing range, yet very few who can run at, and beat, their man. Iwobble is the player tasked with this role now as he is arguably the best dribbler we have at the moment. When he does get past his players he is often in excellent (half) spaces where he can play through balls to the forwards, or the fullbacks making overlapping runs. He is also one of the few players that can dribble themselves out… Read more »
If the idea is to swap Ramsey for this guy then something is seriously wrong. It seems we have a problem with the current financial structure and wages in particular. I can understand looking to replace Ramsey with Smith-Rowe maybe in the long term, although it’s a huge gamble. Both S-R and Banega are light years away from Ramsey at the moment. I know fans will look to talk up Rowe, but he’s yet to be proven over full intensive campaigns, while Banega has found his level and I can’t see how he’d improve us. Personally I’d like to keep… Read more »
Arsenal fans: “Emery needs to be able to bring in players he wants”
Emery: “I would like Banega”
Arsenal fans: “no, wait, I take it back”
We have needed a player like this since Santi left, Ramsey is leaving and when Ozil doesn’t play we have almost no creativity in the side. Christ guys, it’s not like it’s an expensive signings in today’s world. Emery trusts banega and he will improve our midfield.
If you’ve read that Emery book you will know that he really rates Banega.
If I recall, Emery wanted him at the start of the year and Banega choose to stay at Sevilla. Have still not figured out how Emery wants to play, but he is becoming more conservative in my eyes all the time. Seems he wants three midfielders and 3 attackers, (almost Conte-esque). He has not yet found that midfielder that is a good link up player who can get forward once in awhile without being a defensive liability. (Sorry, did I just describe Santi?) Ramsey, as much as most of us would have liked, is obviously not that guy for UE.
Ramsey is a much better player than Banega, and younger. I don’t think Banega is a creative player, unless you mean if you pass the ball to Messi, there is a good chance something creative will result.
But Ramsey is bye bye, so I don’t think that makes much difference. And it works out pretty well when we pass the ball to Auba and Laca.
Ideal? No. It might be a bit of a stopgap. We’re likely to need 2 attacking / creative midfield players before next season, unless the wunderkind Smith Rowe really makes the step up, so perhaps the other is where we float the boat out. Ideally, of course.
Team of old guns incoming apparently. The old dogs gather for one last final strike before they go to retirement.
Ideally we should ship Ramsey and Mkhi and get 1 good replacement for them. Add a CB to it and I’ll be a happy man. As a bonus a winger will be nicee. I’m talking about the summer btw. A short term loan for a cb should be good in January
OK, short term solution failing anything else is available during this window but we really need something more long term come summer. We have enough players knocking on the door to retirement at the moment.
We need a good deal involving Ramsey, would be a shame to see him go for nothing.
Get Pepe and a quality centre back – spending £100m not would ensure forth place – get the three players required
Does anyone know if there were any Banega links to PSG while Unai was there?
There has been rumours towards Mata as well, both these guys are Emery previous players.
They look more like Emery signings than Mislintat-Sanlhelli, who are the actual man in charge ; which is why I think they’re only rumours.
Emery declared we would be looking for internal solutions, so I expect no one is coming even if i’d like to see a wingback/winger in the same fashion as the Ox (we should never have let the guy go).
Filipe Luis, David Luiz and Toby Anderwerield
This guys won’t be bad at the back