Valencia insist they are not in talks with Arsenal! by AH
Arsenal have been linked with numerous players this transfer window, many of which are defenders. Arsenal are looking in the market to add some more steel to the defence, with a centre back being just one of many positions on the pitch that need drastic improvements
Arsenal fans certainly got to see yesterday that this team and especially this defence, is not ready to take the Premier League by storm. The defence that we played with yesterday may not be a permanent presence on the pitch, with both Chambers and Holding unlikely to be regulars for Arsenal this season, but the mistakes that were made just goes to show how we are in desperate need of adding to that area of the pitch.
Arsene Wenger is knowingly in the market for another centre back this summer, despite already having purchased Holding from League One side Bolton for a £2 million fee. If the likes of Mertesacker and Gabriel had not been ruled out with injury, then perhaps Wenger would not feel the urge to invest in the market again. Mertesacker is deemed unavailable until Christmas at the earliest, whilst Gabriel should be ready within two months, but even with this in mind, Arsene Wenger has been hesitant towards signing another player at the back. This is because Koscielny is not far off a return to full fitness, whilst Chambers and Holding are largely inexperienced and so are seen as more rotational players than first team choices. However as seen yesterday, when called upon with other key players out of the team, we need replacements who are ready to step up to the task, rather than to put all the pressure of a very competitive first team fixture against Liverpool, on the shoulders of newly found Rob Holding.
With this all in mind, Arsenal are supposedly looking into the availability of Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, although the Spanish side remain adamant they are not in talks with any other club over the German international. Arsenal had supposedly made an opening bid which had been rejected and then the Gunners returned with a second offer. Valencia however made Arsenal aware of Mustafi’s release clause, which is believed to be in the excess of £40 million. Such a price makes any deal unlikely in my opinion, but thankfully Valencia are willing to accept a lower price. This means the Gunners may still be in with a shout of adding an experienced quality centre back to their team.
If Valencia truly haven’t been in negotiations with Arsenal or any other club for that matter over Mustafi, then what an earth has Wenger and co been up to on the transfer front. Wenger previously told us last week about how he was primarily focused on the centre back situation, rather than the need to also address the distinctive lack of striking options at the club.
So come on Arsene! After yesterday’s performance against Liverpool, in which we shipped four goals, that is surely enough to make you realise how desperate this situation is? But if this Arsenal rumour is true, then who the hell are we looking at?
Of course, it could be that Wenger has told Valencia that he will drop out if there are any leaks? It wouldn’t surprise me….
By AH
Look this whole transfer window has been a mess…another one to add to the collection. It begs questions:
1) Our main figures (Wenger & Gazidis) can’t even agree on what is Arsenal exactly doing, the money available when asked in interviews. Who is responsible of communication?
2) Working hard as Wenger as repeated for a month if not more now means nothing if there isn’t any tangible action. The only action was a failed attempt to bring Vardy since than not much but rumours that makes us look bad in doing business. What is actually going on?
3) We have money to spend means nothing. It could mean that we have 150m to spend but it could also mean that we have less than 70m to spend. Huge difference. Which one is it?
4) 10 years since our move to a new stadium that was suppose to increase our financial pull and our ability to compete pound for pound on the market except teams like Madrid, Barcelona. It seems we can’t even compete with anyone. We have the 7th revenue stream in the world of football. We have so many pros going for us (city, stadium,…) so what is really going on?
If you listened to Henry post game comment on he was spot on…something gotta give.
Fire them both. I would if I were Kroenke.
Isn’t Kroenke himself part of the problem from not getting involved and making sure the club is run properly top to bottom…so that we can have a clear transfer window with define objectives. And also over the course of the season!
To ensure the individuals involve (Wenger, Gazidis amongst others) give us all the chances to get our #1 or #2 option each summer like the other big clubs (financially) and by giving that extra push (money) to get deals over the line quickly!Not settle for #4 or #5 which there’s a reason they are there on the list!
To apply pressure in making sure we can compete consistently and everyone is making that joint effort to get to the promise land otherwise you have no business being here.
It starts with the owner & the board too. Everyone is playing hide & seek with conflicting and confusing comments.
Absolutely right, Wenger has never got it right with negotiations, which has been largely disastrous since David Dein left. After DD left and before Kranky arrived, he was criticized for overspending on Arshavin and Nasri, and when Kranky took over he has messed up deals by quibbling over pennies, with the obvious exception of Ozil, Alexis, Cech, Cazorla and maybe Welbeck, but all of them contained a certain element of luck with unusual circumstances and us happening to be in the right place at the right time. If the board themselves are not stopping the flow of money towards new players, then SURELY they can see how useless Wenger is at negotiations, and get someone in, like DD, who knows what they are doing.
Arsenal are considering Omer Toprak of Bayer Leverkusen and Simon Kjaer of Fenerbahce as they look to sign a new centre-half, Sky sources understand.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger remains determined to strengthen his back-four following injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, and their chief target is Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi.
Sky sources understand German international Mustafi has agreed to join the Gunners as discussions continue over a fee between the clubs, but Toprak and Kjaer are among the alternatives.
Here we go again. If my memory serves me correct we were told Wenger only had £50m to spend. That explains the signings we made, a bunch of unproven youngsters. The spin master will continue playing games with us until the window closes. I have said it before and I will say it again: The problem with Arsenal is Kroenke, Wenger, BSF and so called Red Army. These supporter groups allow Kroenke and Wenger to make a mockery of Arsenal.
If there is no pressure before the window closes, we will not see change.
Do you guys remember van persie’s sentiments 4yrs ago. I would now like to ask, who was wrong btwn him and the we the fans?
“This is an update for the fans about my current situation. I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for the club and as agreed with Mr. Gazidis and Mr. Wenger, but since there is so much speculation in the media, I think it is fair for you guys to know what’s really going on at the moment.
“As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the Boss and Mr. Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.
“I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.
“Out of my huge respect for Mr. Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.
“I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal FC. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.
“I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last 8 years. As soon as Mr. Gazidis is back from his 2-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments.”
Strictly from a football perspective would RVP be useful and score goals. God knows we could use him.
Mustafi will cost around 30 million and Lacazette around 50 million add to that the 35 million we spend on Xhaka and that would total 115 million. Was there anyone who seriously thought or thinks Arsenal would spend that kind of money in a transfer window?
We should have signed Ashly Williams for 10 and Janssen for 17 million and we would have ben a much better squad for just 27 million.
And since we are short on cash (given we all know we don’t have 115 million available for transfers) it makes the Xhaka signing seem even more silly to me, Gundogan cost city 21 million and we need a striker much more than a third DM (or a 4th if you like Santi in that role which was the case with Wenger).
This is spot on. Xhaka is a great player but i seriously think he is going to cost us points with his temperament. He is a red card waiting to happen. Great player though.
We should of got Jannsen and Williams – these guys would of been perfect for our needs and not at crazy prices either.
As usual it seems Arsenal may have missed a trick and been left wanting.
Exactly what I meant when I said Xhaka was a luxury signing. But a lot of people thumbed me down stating that Xhaka is a quality player. Well I never said he isn’t. All I said is we needed a striker more than another DM.
Williams and Jansenn would have been great signings imo. In fact I would have been ok with Ben Yedder too…
The solution to this shambles is very simple. Don’t buy merchandise and empty that curse which is the Emirates. Stay away.
I don’t know what to believe anymore with Wenger as one minute he’s saying that we are physically ready for the opening match whilst at the same time after conceding 4 goals against Liverpool FC he said we weren’t physically ready. If he can’t make up his mind on this, how can he make up his mind on which players to sign or not or even if we are going to sign any. There seems to be no movement in the transfer market and he better watch out for the likes of Ozil and Alexis being so cheesed off they want out.
Why is this man doing this to his legacy?