Summer Transfer Window 2013/2014 aka Arsenal , we can afford folks and the mancs really want Fellani

dannyjo22 · 22 Jul 2013 at 08:01

I have said for years I don't believe the money is there to spend on transfers or the willingness from the board to spend it. Every year it's the same, I think Wenger protects the board and they protect him. He doesn't speak out and they back him.

If the money was actually available and he wanted a target he really wouldn't care what it cost if the board could afford it, let them deal with the money.

All I keep thinking is if I owned 40% of Arsenal and another backer owned 20% would I really want to put 40 million of my own money like Roman does without the other party doing likewise or a fair percentage? Until one of them has control I really don't see them backing heavily in the transfer market beyond what balances the books nicely.

Snax · 22 Jul 2013 at 08:50

Every year the gooners fail to sign a world class player and take substantial punts on players who are essentially good but overpriced. Every year they get CL. Why worry now?

Arsenal are not going to take it to the current top 3 any time soon but they will keep getting CL. The only thing a big transfer fee does is create the illusion of intent.

Higuain is not a saviour; he has been scoring goals regularly in the Spanish league as part of one of the strongest teams in europe. The goals have been unimportant ones at that; the 4th goal of a 4-0 drubbing etc. He is a very very good striker but his main value comes from the fact that he seems to be happy to move to any CL club in Europe; £35m for a substitute striker is nuts.

Arsenal will get 4th with or without a super signing.

Robbo · 22 Jul 2013 at 08:55

Snax said:
Every year the gooners fail to sign a world class player and take substantial punts on players who are essentially good but overpriced. Every year they get CL. Why worry now?

Arsenal are not going to take it to the current top 3 any time soon but they will keep getting CL. The only thing a big transfer fee does is create the illusion of intent.

Higuain is not a saviour; he has been scoring goals regularly in the Spanish league as part of one of the strongest teams in europe. The goals have been unimportant ones at that; the 4th goal of a 4-0 drubbing etc. He is a very very good striker but his main value comes from the fact that he seems to be happy to move to any CL club in Europe; £35m for a substitute striker is nuts.

Arsenal will get 4th with or without a super signing.

Spurs almost took it off them last season and they are strengthening this season, so I'd be very worried if I was an Arsenal fan.

Unless Spurs lose Bale, at which point they become significantly less of a threat, but still.

jonney_joop · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:00

Robbo said:
Spurs almost took it off them last season and they are strengthening this season, so I'd be very worried if I was an Arsenal fan.

Unless Spurs lose Bale, at which point they become significantly less of a threat, but still.

spurs almost piped arsenal years ago when we was in the CL final yet fast forward 6+ years and we still finish above them. i recall that we lost quite a few of our players after that season as that was the beginning of the decline of arsenal.

I would be a bit concerned about your team Robbo. You no longer have Fergie that makes average players win trophies. You have Moyes who is not proven and could turn united worse then before and it even could be united fighting for 4th spot.

This season will be exciting

Robbo · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:03

jonney_joop said:
spurs almost piped us years ago when we was in the CL final yet fast forward 6+ years and we still finish above them. i recall that we lost quite a few of our players after that season as that was the begining of the decline of arsenal.

If Spurs get, say, Soldado, who they are being linked with today, then I wouldn't be at all surprised if they finished ahead of Arsenal, and not by a small margin either.

jonney_joop said:
I would be a bit concerned about your team Robbo. You no longer have fergie that makes average players win trophies. You have Moyes who is not proven and could turn united worse then before and it even could be united fighting for 4th spot.

I'm not worried about that.

Robbo · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:13

18:05 The manager has been asked about whether or not Barcelona have responded to United's bid for Cesc Fabregas. He said: "My understanding is that Ed's [Woodward, United's executive vice chairman] had a response and he spoke with them. I think we made a second offer but Ed is dealing with that personally, rather than me." He adds: "When you're interested in good players you want to give it every opportunity to materialise and I'll do that. I hope things can continue and move forward. At this moment in time I can only tell you that Ed Woodward is working hard trying to make the deals happen. We can only hope that some of them fall into place shortly."

At the press conference just now.

Bucket · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:19

Before the 'He adds' he was asked the question: 'if he wanted to move on to new targets', still seems very doubtful.

Robbo · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:26

He doesn't sound overly sure really, but at least we haven't been totally rebuffed (yet).

Can't see us pulling it off though, but there's still a chance.

I certainly can't imagine Barcelona accepting anything under £35m odd.

This could just be a total guess but it would make sense:

Sky sources: Barcelona won't make decision on Fabregas' future until new coach is appointed

Gooner Leroy · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:32

If you don't shoot, you don't score.

Bucket · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:33

I think there's been a 'not for sale at that price', rather than not at all, to be honest. If there was a response and we have gone back again it wouldn't have been a 'not for sale at all' response from them.

Robbo · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:37

Bucket said:
I think there's been a 'not for sale at that price', rather than not at all, to be honest. If there was a response and we have gone back again it wouldn't have been a 'not for sale at all' response from them.

Yeah, I hope we're prepared to stump up the cash. Anything under £40m is a no-brainer all things considered.

If Barcelona had told Woodward to completely sod off he wouldn't have come back with what is ultimately a small improvement on his original offer. Or well, maybe he would if he's stupid.

I think we're definitely getting encouragement from somewhere.

Bucket · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:42

Robbo said:
Yeah, I hope we're prepared to stump up the cash. Anything under £40m is a no-brainer all things considered.

If Barcelona had told Woodward to completely sod off he wouldn't have come back with what is ultimately a small improvement on his original offer. Or well, maybe he would if he's stupid.

I think we're definitely getting encouragement from somewhere.

I don't think it's that small an improvement, considering Barca have only paid £25million for him so far as the clauses that took it above 30 haven't been met yet.

He's also older, probably now on a higher wage etc so it's not an unreasonable offer, especially if the add ons go above £35million or around there.

ONESHOTKILL · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:43

We just need to make sure we don't dip into the bale fund

G|mp · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:44

I read that they will be announcing the new manager within the next couple of days.

Bucket · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:48

G|mp said:
I read that they will be announcing the new manager within the next couple of days.

It'll be today or tomorrow I'd imagine, they indicated at the press conference last week.

Trusty · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:00

This is getting silly now, surely he's not going anywhere, Man U can't afford him. Is he not the long term successor to Xavi/Iniesta...Thaigo has just left as well...i can't imagine he will leave.

Robbo · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:01

Trusty said:
This is getting silly now, surely he's not going anywhere, Man U can't afford him. Is he not the long term successor to Xavi/Iniesta...Thaigo has just left as well... Madd

We can afford him I think, and he's certainly not the long term successor to Xavi as they are different types of player.

Trusty · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:03

Robbo said:
We can afford him I think, and he's certainly not the long term successor to Xavi as they are different types of player.

Eh?

not really...both central midfielders.

Robbo · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:06

Trusty said:
Eh? not really...both central midfielders.

Thanks for clearing that up then.

Bucket · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:07

If anyone was the Xavi replacement, it was Thiago, not Fabregas, he played further forward a lot.

But it's also quite simple; there isn't a Xavi 'replacement'. The system will adapt and change based on the quality players available. Just as there is no real Scholes 'replacement', Keane 'replacement' etc that United fans dream for.