The clock keeps ticking on the transfer window and Edu’s to-do list remains long and complicated.
Unlike recent summers it feels like several deals could go to the wire and Arseblog’s usual Deadline Day blog will involve more than doodles and procrastination.
Here’s an update on where Arsenal stand with nine days remaining…
OUTGOINGS
Eddie Nketiah
The Athletic reports today that a move to the City Ground is very much on the cards with Forest returning to negotiations after an initial £25 million offer was rejected. The England international had previously agreed personal terms with Marseille only for the French side to offer Edu magic beans as payment.
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Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal desire to sell the England international this summer meant Edu batted away Ajax’s loan offer last week. Unfortunately for the Gunners, it looks like all Ramsdale’s suitors want a ‘try before we buy’ deal after he spent most of last season on the bench. Wolves are the latest club to try their luck and it sounds like the link has legs. Quite how Ramsdale, a lifelong West Brom fan, feels about that, remains to be seen. His former club Bournemouth are also sniffing around.
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Reiss Nelson
*Tumbleweed* After suggestions Leicester boss Steve Cooper was interested in the winger, it appears Nelson’s six-figure weekly wages are proving hard to shift. It’s hardly surprising given the 24-year-old has played 1,321 minutes of Premier League football – the equivalent of 15 matches – since his senior debut in 2017. At this rate, we may have to subsidise a temporary departure.
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Jakub Kiwior
For months, Italian publications couldn’t hide their horniness for the big Pole. He was linked with AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Napoli and even Bologna, as part of a swap deal for Calafiori. It then went a bit quiet but Kiwior’s exclusion from Saturday’s squad suggests something could be brewing. Fabrizio Romano’s spidey-senses are tingling although he’s not shared any names yet.
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Kieran Tierney
Asked last Friday if the Scot could leave the club, Mikel Arteta said it was time for Tierney to focus on his recovery. No timeline has been given on that front, we just know it’s hamstring-related and he suffered it two months ago. Having had issues with his hammies at Sociedad last season, you imagine interested clubs are going to be very wary.
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Academy youngsters
Arsenal have several youngsters who went out on loan last season who probably won’t benefit from a return to under-21 level. They include Charlie Patino, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand and perennial loanee Omar Rekik. There’s a few quid to be made here.
INCOMINGS
Mikel Merino
I can only compare this deal to tweezering every hair follicle from your face rather than using a razor. Sure, you get to the same end result, but it’s fucking painful and bloody slow.
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Joan Garcia
Arsenal have been linked with the young Spaniard for a couple of months but with Ramsdale still on the books, we’ve had to sit tight. It sounds like personal terms have been agreed but negotiations haven’t taken place with Espanyol who want a high fee. In the last week, Garcia’s buyout clause increased from €25 million to €30 million but it feels like a deal for a relatively inexperienced keeper should get done for way less than that. I’m not sure we can justify spending big money on a keeper who’ll likely be on the bench most of the time, but it’s easy to say that when Raya is fit.
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Dan Bentley
Arsenal had a couple of offers for Wolves’ backup stopper rejected prior to the US tour. While he does have some Premier League experience, his profile suggests he’d be more of a third-choice option at the Emirates, a role vacated by Karl Hein who has now moved to Real Valladolid. If Ramsdale heads to Molineux it would make sense to bring in his experience given Inaki Cana’s other options are still going through puberty.
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Attacker
[Insert surprise name of prolific-speedy-attacker-available-for-bargain-price-at-late-notice here]
My Spurs-supporting mate was telling me about this thing they have over their called a to-dare-is-to-do list, apparently it’s like a to-do list except you never achieve any of the goals on it.
bit like them never winning a trophy I suppose. bless’em
I would not mind loaning Salah-Eddine again. He looked decent in preseaon if he has a good loan can either be intergrated or sold for a good fee.
im tempted to change my name to “reiss nelson’s weekly wages”…
It’s a great deal for Reiss Nelson…Lucky he’s a nice fella!
Reiss is Mesut’s vibes but without his skills.. Just chilled, timid, and great running down hill but a phkng liability on the climb. And Like Mesut, gassed after signing the deal of his life.
Things are quiet on the attacker front, an area I was sure would be addressed. I was thinking about why this is and have a few theories. 1. The shift towards a left sided focus in the buildup and primary chance creation may mean the Saka role is easier to replicate. I noted with interest that Trossard was his substitute vs Wolves, a change I don’t recall seeing last season. 2. Tracking financial outlay has to include the Raya deal. Arsenal have committed ~75 million thus far in transfer fees for DR and RC. A little over half of that… Read more »
Trossard did come on for Saka, but if I remember correctly he went to the left wing and Martinelli moved over to the right.
I think you are quite right with regards to the long game. I’m all for keeping the powder dry if it means Edu makes a run at Isak or another player of his ilk.
I get the long run argument but then again there’s no guarantee we’ll be a stronger team in the future – go another season without a trophy and I’m worried we’ve got some superstars whose heads could be turned by the Real Madrid’s of the world.
The time to go for it is now. And I don’t even think we need a 100+ mil striker, more of another wide forward we can confidently throw in any game with similar output to Trossard’s.
Another Trossard won’t move the needle… Need another Saka level game breaker to pull level with City. Squad is already good enough to finish ahead of everyone else.
I’d love another Saka-level player, but another Trossard would be very useful, verging on essential. The gap is 2 points and a goal against Bayern. Having that kind of player to start 5+ PL games on the right of attack would allow Saka to make a difference in the toughest games (particularly in the Champions League).
Isaac next summer. I’m almost certain it’ll happen, can feel it in my bones.
If we manage to sell 2 of Nketiah / Nelson / Kiwior then surely we have to at least have an attacking target ready to pounce on.
You would think so. We would have 5 players for 3 positions up front. Nowhere near enough, and I don’t see why signing an attacker should be contingent on Nelson leaving – he barely plays anyway!
Negligent to not sign a forward.
Please I beg that we sell nketiah,ramsdel ,,,,, complete merino’s deal and buy tony or gyokeres thanks Arsenal fan from Uganda
This tony lad has flown under my radar – can you give us a rundown on his attributes?
Hard no on Toney. Not the type of player Arsenal need and carries way too much baggage.
Fun fact – his full name is Ivan Benjamin Elijah Toney, so his initials are IBET.
I bet, I love this one.
This is too good to verify. Fact Check: has to be.
You’re shitting me? Lololol
That hattrick worked for for eddie.
Those magic beans worked.
[Insert striker = Romelu Lukaku].
I am sure Arteta is more than capable getting the best out of the Shaquille O’Neal of football. Please do not call me a provocateur.
Hard to believe we have such a tough time selling players, but I guess our not playing them much at all really hinders what we can get for them. Really surprised we aren’t looking to sell Viera as well. We look to be getting Merino in and of course if we sell or loan Ramsdale (really wish we would keep him and give him time in the cup competitions as he is a quality keeper and if given some games consistently can regain his confidence) then we’ll need another keeper. Beyond those two really don’t see us doing anything else… Read more »
“I can only compare this deal to tweezering every hair follicle from your face rather than using a razor. Sure, you get to the same end result, but it’s fucking painful and bloody slow”
🙂 Classic Arseblog. I see you have been out shopping with the Mrs recently..
“For months, Italian publications couldn’t hide their horniness for the big Pole”
Fnar fnar!
Most players with any competitive 1st team experience if leaving would then need someone to come in. Except Patino and Tierney.