There may still be 7 weeks until the transfer window opens, but after Arsene Wenger admitted that Arsenal needed another defender in January the transfer rumours are usually about (possibly) available centre-backs.
The latest one to be linked is Man United’s Chris Smalling according to the Mirror. They claim that now Adrien Rabiot has signed a new deal with PSG, Wenger will turn to Smalling as a new alternative.
Fabian Shar is another. The Swiss international has made it clear that he aiming for bigger ad better things in the future. He was quoted in the Metro as saying: ‘Basel are open to negotiations, but at this moment I have decided that I want to concentrate on my performances,’
‘I went through a difficult period and it wasn’t the right time to discuss my renewal. I don’t want to be worrying about that now.
‘My dream remains to have an experience abroad. I’ve always said that if the opportunity presented itself, I would take it, obviously in agreement with Basel.
‘I need a team with important prospects. I’d like the Bundesliga, Premier League or top Italian clubs like Inter, Milan and Juventus. I couldn’t say no.
‘I want to hear all my options and consider them carefully. There was some contact in the summer, but nothing serious.’
Shar is said to be available for 10 million, but Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar is also a strong possibility as his contract is up at the end of the season. Maybe Wenger could persuade Villa to let him go in January for a small fee rather than lose him for nothing in the summer. The Mail reckons that Arsenal AND Man United could be after the Dutchman..
Arsenal reportedly tried to sign Celtic’s Virgil Van Dijk on deadline day, and he remains my most likely arrival now that Celtic have had time to source a replacement, but which one of those four ould YOU choose?
NOT smalling please!
Just wondering why the writer things Adrien Rabiot was a option for center-back?
It will probably be Schar and maybe 1 other CB, but think CDM is also a must. Really doubt we will get 3 in January though, we all know Wenger. Here’s hoping.
Haven’t seen any of Van Dijk or Schar besides youtube clips. How good are they actually?
Van Dijk is very good, tall, fast, good eye and can even score goals!
However we will probably miss out on him anyway and buy some crocked unknown or has been.
if they are not below 10 Million, out of contract or injured we are not buying Jack Sh!tz in January
I think all of them are under 10 million.
All’s well then 🙂
if there is a attacking/right/midfield/winger we are open to business but it cannot, let me say that again “ IT CAN NOT” be a natural attacking left winger because we don’t believe in one since Nasri left.
Completely agree. Very true.
Hello. Is this Jack Shltz a defender? Is he any good?
Yaa he plays for SHITSINBURG, his Sh!tz hot and Jack of all trades HAHAHA
Decent article, this is more sensible
In regards to Schar and Van Dijk, we may have to wait till the end of the season or we buy them and loan them back to the club to get them ready for the next season. Why, i do not our manager would buy them just for the purpose of the EPL, when i gather that the CL holds more interest to him, because of the prestige and money involved ( he has never won it)
The two that holds the most interest to me would be Vlaar and Smalling, Vlaar is a decent Center back with some experience, he looks quite rigid and does not have much pace, he does not offer flexibility in other positions.
My choice would be Smalling , tall, has good pace, good in the air, offers flexibility in other positions and is english, just one major draw back he is injury prone, but i know he would improve with being pair up with Kos or Mert who have more experience and he is at the right age to start developing into a star. I think also he would get more game time to improve himself, where as Manu has large competition in the area of CB arsenal does not.
Otherwise i think Arsenal should be scouting in the lower leagues where i think a lot of gems can be found n that position
Smalling is not good enough for Man U and you want him Jesus man raise the bar, he’s average at best
ask Vermaelen to come back is he geting any games at Barsa??
or even Sagna the bench warmer how about a loan spell? HAHAHA Just kidding
@Tas
He is not able to get any games at Barca due to injury…
OK Thanks
Who do you suggest, you know wenger will not go for no expensive defender and i will say again Smalling concern has been his injury problem, not his defending skill. if you are judging him by the red card he received(yellow + yellow). That can happen to any defender
Forget about Smalling and the other two. What we need is a Carvalho to put some steel in the centre of midfield. One of the best defenders in the business and only 22. If he played for us for say 8 years he would be worth a big investment now.
If he plays for us for 8 years he will be the team captain for the last 6 of them. Great presence, skill and strength and strolls around the DM area as if he owns the place. He is highly regarded by all the players in the teams he’s played in. . . even though he’s younger than most of them!
Smalling is not an option! Please!!!
Get shar and kondogbia in the january transfer window!
I don’t think we need more than 1 cb, as chambers is clearly good enough to be 3rd or 4th choice.
I personally would like a left footed cb, like Laporte. But he is likely to cost 3 x more than dijk or shar. There is also Antonio rudiger, winston Reid and pique who have all been linked. I would take any of those mentioned over smalling and vlaar.
Don’t forget, bellerin, Jenkinson, ajayi and hayden will all be in the frame next season so we must not bring in too many defenders.
Cb, Dm and a world class finisher to replace diaby, coquelin and sanogo would be my january changes. In the summer I would sell off arteta monreal flamini rosicky cazorla and podolski.
What worries me about Van Dijk. who looks to be the main target, is that he plays in the SPL, which is just a terrible league (no offence to any scots), for the only team of any note (Celtic) who despite this are still only in 3rd (although with a game in hand), and completely dependent on Guidetti (who, by the way, looks awesome, but is contracted to Man City) scoring to get them out of trouble… my granny could do his job.
Shar looks OK… Vlaar is only good when he’s coupled with a quality partner, i.e. when he’s in the international team… And Smalling is… well he’s Smalling, and makes Rojo look good, or just not terrible…
varane, hummels, howedes…..someone world class please….
no lowly deadwoods
@Hafiz Rahman
Kramer and Howedes and we’re set defensively…
In January, if we get Hummels, Khedira, Cavani and Reus then I will be satisfied, not happy, but satisfied.
What’s it like to live in dreamland?
He is being Sarcastic !!!
Hi Iceberg – Not sure about that and maybe my interpretation of what he said is off but I don’t see any sarcasm there. Usually find Fred’s comments pretty good.
get rid of Wenger and I am happy
Fred hats off to ya, you are easily pleased mate unlike others here.
if we get rid of Wenger, I will be satisfied
and if we are not careful, this debate will continue until the 31st of January……
Pique or Hummels for me.
@Matt
I’d like to see Hummels signed also, along with Kondogbia or Vidal. But I know it ain’t gonna happen…
Get Schar and Van Dijk. The latter can grow into the DM spot aswell. Both top notch prospects and very suited for English football.
No comments.
Rock on Twig – best comment so far!