There has already been reports of Arsenal turning down bids from Juventus and Fenerbahce for our two goalkeepers, Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina because Arsene Wenger’s valuations were far above the buying clubs.
Now it seems the same thing has happened with Kieran Gibbs as Watford have pulled out of discussions with Arsenal refusing to budge on his £15 million asking price. This is beginning to be a long term problem for Arsenal as not only do the buying clubs have to try and equal the high wages that the players are on at Arsenal. They are also being asked to pay through the nose for the privilege! This does not sit well with the players that actually want to leave for more playing time as they can’t get a new club.
Wenger has built up a reputation of trying to get players for as little as possible i.e. making the selling club wait until the last minute of the window to force them to make a snap decision on the price, or adding just £1 to the release clause. But he also demands top dollar if he wants to sell someone. This is why Man City normally get our top players as they don’t care how much they pay as long as they get their man.
Over the years this hardheadedness has discouraged other managers from even bothering to bid for our players, knowing that they are given no leeway in negotiations. Wenger has made it clear that he needs to trim the squad this summer, but how are we going to get rid of any players if Wenger doesn’t know how to compromise in transfer negotiations?
Admin