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Dayot Upamecano or Daniele Rugani surely Arsenal will sign one of them

So, we have just over 50 hours left before the transfer window shuts and Arsenal still have not signed a central defender, however, there are two names doing the rounds in the media and they are RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano and Juventus’ Daniele Rugani.

It seems that the club is focussed on landing one of these two for the centre back position that so desperately needs to be strengthened, and surely Arsenal will get at least one of them over the line.

Each deal appears to be very different, Upamecano appears to be a straight purchase, whereas Rugani is more likely to be a loan deal with an option to buy.

But either way one of them needs to be concluded by Thursday 17.00 UK time.

Truth be told it is almost impossible to decide which one would be the better option, both play in very different leagues than the Premier League and there is no way of telling who would be better suited.

But you have to think that either player would be a far better option than what we currently have available to us.

And while I do accept that buying ether player would carry some risk, it is surely far more risky to stick with the status quo when we already know how poor they are.

Signing Nicolas Pepe is indeed an exciting development but signing a quality centre half is of critical importance and will, in my opinion, define how good or bad this transfer window has been.

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89 Comments

    1. Am getting optimistic about this new season. Reports from Italy say we have agreed personal terms worth £70000 a week with Daniele Rugani. What remains now is for Arsenal to wrap up the loan deal with Juve.

      1. £70,000 per week wages is good value cf what Arsenal pays others.
        Again for those doubting Daniele Rugani, he was in the Seria A team of the year at CB in his last year at Empoli, is an Italian international and since his move to Juventus has Chiellini and Bonucci in front of him, two of the CB’s in Europe. Now Juventus have bought De Lijt as well.

    1. They want too much money for Upamecano(£70 mil) so I don’t blame us if we don’t get him. We don’t need to spend that much on a Defender

      1. When I say “too much” I mean more than we can probably afford. I’ve no idea whether he’s worth that or not. Sorry poor English on my part

  3. For Upamecano’s price tag, why didn’t we go after DeLigt when window opened?

    If club had larger transfer kitty they should have been in for DeLigt, better than Rugani and Upamecano.

    Kos decided he was done at Arsenal, did they need to see more of Mustafi before going for a CB?

    We most likely will overpay because everyone knows we’re desperate for CB.

    Utd paid £80 million for CB far below VVD talent level. £35 million for Mcquire’s quality and £45 million because he’s English. They could have had Upamecano for that money.

    1. why do you think ManU did not get DeLigt? The player has a say, he wont come to non-CL clubs. And his agent included a 150m buy out clause in his contract. Not all clubs will agree with this.
      I think its panic time, so we will end up paying 10m+ extra anyway.

    2. To be sincere none of them strikes me so much confidence, I still prefer Jonathan Tah who is an experience and established center back,upamecano is still raw and unproven center back and one for the future.Daniel Rugani on the hand is not even a regular at Juventus.JONATHAN TAH all the way

      1. Rugani is not even a regular at Juve. would Jonathan Tah had been a regular if he were at Juve?

  4. Both and a RB ? maybe Rugani as he’s more realistic and taller and please get this Tierney deal done and never deal with Celtic again ?

    1. He Was on my fantasy football team last season.

      He has Premier League experience too so that’s a plus

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      1. Yet another insecure man who feels threatened because I use my human right to type in a way that emphasises the points I WISH TO EMPHASISE. WHY ARE YOU SO INSECURE AND WHY DOES SUCH A TOTALLY UNIMPORTANT MATTER LIKE MERE CARITALS CONCERN YOU AT ALL? Seriously, I would like to know why!

  7. Most probably it’s gonna be Rugani, because it is a loan

    Arsenal finally manage to sell Koscielny. One old CB has gone and hopefully the erratic Mustafi would go as well

    Would be great if we can purchase Upamecano or Konate, but it would be better if we can get a new RB to push Bellerin

  8. Arsenal need a CB that can organise the defence.. holding was organising the defence pretty well before he got injured

  9. Buy me please am 20 young, strong shaggy hair like puyol I don’t make alot of mistake and am really very comfortable on the ball can play from the back here is my CV name: Samson qualifications kill a lion cub bare hand, when am at it I’ll kill a1000 men afer winning every game I’ll take away their wood work esp @utd,Liv,chalvs,tott,& city ,am very sure no striker wants to face me as I’ll do the work of both Terry,kompany &vvd all together defense sorted for the next ten years we will be invisible again and lastly please take the ladies off me as I might lose it.

    1. Whoever you are, I don’t want to hear about anyone killing animals. It is not clever or manly to do this and every time you use this kind of language you desensitise yourself and others to the cruelty. If you are in doubt then please insert the word ‘child’ instead of the name of the animal you are talking about killing.

  12. Am not really too excited about Dayot upamecano. Suddenly everyone is masturbating over a kid who has done nothing. Even Konate played more games and better than him last season. That kid is not worth 70 million. Even Van Dijk came to the premiership and proved himself before such money. There are a lot of Dayot upamecano in the French league. Westham got Issa Diop from there last season, Konate is in RB liepzig too. Umtiti followed that same route and our new boy Saliba is the same. French league have them in abundance. Malang Sarr of Nice is a best and left footed. Over 80 top flight games and just 20. Don’t forget Nice was third in the league and their coach played possession bases football. Have seen him play numerous times and he will be a steal. Needles to say, RB liepzig are linked to him already to replace their 70 million overpriced Dayot upamecano.
    I wonder why nobody is also looking at Sidibe of Monaco for right back. Athletico Madrid wanted him but settled for Trippier. After their wonderful league win and player Exodus he was hoping to leave too but was overpriced – all their players. Now he is priced at 15 million but still quality. Have seen him play and he is just superb defending and awesome going forward. French league is a league to get quality, Defensive midfielders, Right back, Left back and Centre back. It’s their stock in trade. Doucore, Kante and plenty of them came from there and see what they play today. The players are there but we need to know how to search!

    1. You make a lot of sense. On top of that Arsenal is still huge to most players playing in France, even with Wenger gone. Lots of good DM, RB, LB, CB players for decent prices. Even a few wingers like Pepe.

      On the other hand, Spain is still the place to go for good yet cheap AM and CMs as there are loads of them. But we don’t need to strengthen there, at least not until Xhaka, Mkhi, and Ozil are gone.

    2. Thank you for seeing sense. Why we are desperate for a 20 yr old CB who will surely not be immediately ready this season, is beyond me. I’d rather Arsenal just look in England though and stop trying to find so many answers abroad. especially when it comes to defense, just get a CB with EPL experience. Leicester have not gone after Dunk, and if we are willing to pay 55-60mill for Upamecampo, we can afford him. I’d also take a look at some of the Wolves defenders as well. If we buy Rugani on a permanent deal im putting my hands to my head. Bang average player that will take years to rid of again. Juve are desperate to rid of him for a reason.

    3. Sultan
      You sound like you know the French and German leagues. Konaté of Leipzig is very tall and maybe that is what we need. We give so many goals away from set pieces. Also Konaté is quite good on the ball and is quick as well. I don’t know how anyone would choose between Upamecano and Konaté. I think you are though right if only by height. Konaté is a solid athletic player.

      1. Totally agree, Arsenal, apart from Saliba, appears to have lost their mojo, in picking up players before they become high profile ie expensive. How many Rob Holdings are there for under £5-10 million in the lower leagues?

    1. Exactly what am saying. I didn’t even mention him. They are just plenty in the French ligue 1. So plenty! Defenders with heart and pure brute who are skilled in the art of defending. It’s not easy to get a Van Dijk but it’s easy to get a defender that actually knows how to defend. Mustafi and co are just clowns!

  14. Koscielny has finally left, hopefully Jenkinson and Mustafi take note and follow him out the exit door! Now let’s get Kimminch, Quality CB, Tierney and Coutinho and we should be good to go ?

      1. Bloody hell, Kev… the media are still harping on about Coutinho!! No chance whatsoever will he come to the Emirates! Just amazes me how they came up with it!!
        I hope Willock doesn’t go to Bayern

        1. I don’t see it happening. Willock is guaranteed playing time this season surely. It’s great to see Bayern were so impressed by him tho. But most of the English kids leave because of lack of game time. Willock will not have that issue.

          3. Omg Kev.. it really was hard work.. 4 emails, 4 phone calls later, as well as a raging headache.. I got it sorted out, then managed to get tickets for the Burnley game last night … my head was completely done in ?

          4. They better win that game now or your head will be even more done in Sue ? see the copycats trying to hijack our Coutinho deal do they actually have scouts of they’re own or do they just vulcher in on other clubs deals ?

          5. Surprise surprise… they always have to make sure we don’t outdo them!!!
            Gonna be some end to the window!! I’m not back to work until Friday… could be an all day Sky Sports news binge ?

          6. Are you on holiday Sue ? Yeah that’s true just hope we get a couple in not long left now ? and nobody will be joining today ?

          7. I am indeed!! ?
            Been eventful for other clubs though.. Harry Wilson to Bournemouth? I like him
            Plus the start is so close.. although I ain’t watching Liv v Nor on Friday.. rather watch paint dry ??

          8. Enjoying the days off ? ? What will you be watching instead Sue haha. Why? did you want him at Arsenal ?

          9. It might well be time for Chucky ? hell I’d even watch that instead of Liverpool ?
            I don’t think he’d be for us… liked watching him at Derby, so will keep an eye on Bournemouth ?

          10. So who was your favourite Wenger signing apart from Park Chu-young and Henry Sue ? Haha gonna tune into big Eds team ? ah you’ll love Chucky are we having fun now ?

          12. The arsenal shirt to Bordeaux ? I think it was disrespect, and arrogant of the man people can say the service he gave the club and all this rubbish but fact is he was paid to do so he was an average defender we just talked him up because he was the best of a terrible bunch glad he’s gone! I just hope we don’t sign Rugani Sue I was watching him YouTube and he’s very slow he kind of reminds me of Mustafi and as I said earlier I’m not too keen on Italian players they mostly always struggle in the PL! Mine was Rami Shaaban best keeper we ever had ?

          14. ???? love the ? emoji at the end… completely understandable ?
            Well that doesn’t fill me with hope… too bad Hazza has been sold (for 80m) ?

          15. Haha Ozil will be using that when he arrives in Washington ?? so it says Rugani is almost done so that’s that then if that’s the last of our business then I’m only 50% happy ? haha slabhead is good where he is ?

          16. Nooooo!!! Where on earth did those rumours come from?! Ozil won’t go!
            UE obviously likes that Rugani then? Has he worked with him before? DT isn’t impressed… seems he’s not alone, Kevin ?
            Only joking, I’m not keen on Maguire!

          17. He’s a mediocre defender Sue Leicester conceded bucket loads of goals as we did 80 million for a slabhead he’s probably not even as good as this Rugani fella ? Rugani? No Rugani has never left Italy ? haha but DT will still get paid ? so I’ve heard people call Pepe average before he’s even kicked a ball but Daniel James has world class potential? Laughable and Liverpool fans included calling us a Europa League team just over 2 years ago they were playing in that comp themselves arrogance Sue ? if I was Kroenke I’d be gunning for Liverpool’s arrogance and bring in the very best players to shut them bin dippers up ?

          18. I’d love nothing more than to shut them up, Kev. They just think by turning up they’re gonna win the bloody game… ? there are a fair few teams I hope we do something against this season.. I would say we may not see any thrashings this season, but that might be pushing it a little ?

          19. Oh with our classy backline the thrashing days are over Sue ? Mustafi big Sok an over the hill Monreal and midfielder turned right back scoring tidy own goals nothing could go wrong ? our defensive midfielder is about 3ft ? Xhaka the engine in the team ? I hate the fact we’ll go to anfield with a patched up defence and get shown up again we should have replaced that entire defence this window and yes that would cost money but it’s not as though the writing was on the wall for years ?

          22. Haha true ? I hear the Coutinho deal is back on ? oh god Sue I can’t wait until this ridiculous transfer window ends my nerves are shot ? what will tomorrow bring ? And Thursday Jim white and his yellow tie ?

          23. Sue I’m gonna bid you goodnight so goodnight, sleep well and we go again tomorrow another day of madness the life of an Arsenal fan ?????

          25. What signing? ? Haha hope you slept well Sue and hopefully today we get the ball rolling and finally land Coutinho, Tierney and quality CB ? have a good day and don’t watch too much sky sports news ? chat later ?

    1. He flew to Barcelona yesterday to try and Broker the deal .Raul had no luck so Kev is trying to see if he can influence Barca.He tried desperately to get Messi for £250m plus Iwobi.But they were just not having it.It looks like Kev is going back in for Messi at £50m without Iwobi and he’s hopefull this will do ot

    3. Coutinho to Arsenal?No chance in hell for that, going forward I think that the Nice center back thick all boxes ,tall, strong can play from the back and a traditional no nonsense center back

  17. Why should Arsenal let Chambers goes off their hands permanently at this time in the 3 days left to closing time to close transfer deals in this summer window but to sign a Diop from West Ham will look ridiculous.

    On the contentious issue of whom Arsenal to sign between Upamecano or Rugani, knowing it the back of our minds that both Koscielny and Jenkinson will exist the club soon with the latter seemingly on loan to Nottinham Forest but with the former on the permanent exist. Therefore, there will be shortage of active senior team personne manning the right back for the team. Thus, if not for the big amount of money it’ll cost Arsenal to sign both players this summer window, I would have suggested Arsenal should sign the duo CBs to play one as a CB and the other one be converted to play at right back. More so as AMN who is temporarily playing at right back but commiting defensive atrocities at right back for Arsenal unabated should become a squad player to cover the new signed and later for Bellerin until he overcome his being error prone right back for Arsenal in matches to improve drastically on his back passing into his own team back of the net. Emery must be careful to not pay in Arsenal away match to Newcastle United in the PL next week Monday night.

  18. OMG!! Countinho rumors hitting up again! This is driving me crazy!! Deadline day can not come too fast now..

    Countinho, Tierney, Upamecano?!!!!!! If they all sign Raul Sanllehi should get a statue at the Emirates

  19. Why should Arsenal let Chambers goes off their hands permanently at this time in the 3 days left to closing time to close transfer deals in this summer window but to sign a Diop from West Ham will look ridiculous.

    On the contentious issue of whom Arsenal to sign between Upamecano or Rugani, knowing it the back of our minds that both Koscielny and Jenkinson will exist the club soon with the latter seemingly on loan to Nottinham Forest but with the former on the permanent exist. Therefore, there will be shortage of active senior team personne manning the right back for the team. Thus, if not for the big amount of money it’ll cost Arsenal to sign both players this summer window, I would have suggested Arsenal should sign the duo CBs to play one as a CB and the other one be converted to play at right back. More so as AMN who is temporarily playing at right back but commiting defensive atrocities at right back for Arsenal unabated should become a squad player to cover for the new signed converted to right back and later for Bellerin until he overcomes his being error prone right back for Arsenal in matches to improve drastically on his back passing into his own team back of the net. Emery must be careful to not play him in Arsenal away match to Newcastle United in the PL next week Monday night.

    1. Coutinho to Arsenal if that happens I will own up and appologised but I don’t see that happening

  21. Why should Arsenal let Chambers goes off their hands permanently at this time in the 3 days left to closing time to close transfer deals in this summer window? But to sign a Diop from West Ham will look ridiculous.

    On the contentious issue of whom Arsenal to sign between Upamecano or Rugani, knowing it in the back of our minds that both Koscielny and Jenkinson will exist the club soon with the latter seemingly going on loan to Nottinham Forest. But the former leaving on permanent exist. Therefore, there will be a shortage of active senior team personnel in manning the right back position for the team. Thus, if not for the big amount of money it’ll cost Arsenal to sign both players this summer window, I would have suggested Arsenal should sign the duo CBs to play one as a CB and the other one be converted to play as right back. More so as AMN who is temporarily playing at right back but commiting defensive atrocities at right back for Arsenal unabated that should make him become a squad player next season to cover for the new signed converted to right back and later for Bellerin until he overcomes his being error prone right back for Arsenal in matches improving drastically on his back passing into his own team back of the net. Emery must be careful to not play him in Arsenal away match to Newcastle United in the PL next week Monday night.

  22. Imagine we get this Upamecano lad, Coutinho and Tierney tomorrow….never mind top 4 lads and lasses, we’re winning the league!

  23. We are not buying anyone else. Business is closed for Arsenal. We might sell or let ppl leave on loan but no incoming. We are going to stick to what we have at the back and then change it next year. I expect to see a LB, second RB and one CB added to our squad next season with Saliba coming to us as well. I think till holding is back we will see Sokaritus as holding down one if the position n rotation between mustafi n chambers.

  24. I do believe we are still a good CB away from being top 4 challenger. By “good” I mean it should be better than what we currently have which sadly is very easy to find in current market. Tho I’m not sure we would ever spend more than 50M for a CB after all.

    On the other hand, I still rate AMN highly but in order for us to challenge for top 4, a proper RB like SIDIBE is needed while Bellerin is still out.

    1. cold water being thrown on the Coutinho rumours now, I so hope this deal goes through! I don’t mind if we concede 3 every game because we’ll be scoring 7 or 8! ?

      I dunno about anyone else but I have been absolutely loving this transfer window

      1. Haha too right Will, be end to end stuff!!!
        Yes, I have too… so much has happened, a lot that I wasn’t expecting (ok mainly to do with AFC ?) still more to come ?

  26. Don’t know how either of these two play but we seem to be over excited about rugani, can’t make a start for Juve, or a twenty year old unproven. Happy for additions but can we get a sense of perspective, seems the fans just want anyone without really knowing what the player is about save for a you tube highlight video. Do a highlight search for bentner or any other arsenal flop and you’d want to sign them back as well

  27. The only good thing about this Coutinho rumors is that it will mean the end of ozil iwobi in the first term and it will gives us more possession, just imagine a front line of auba laca Pepe ceballos and Coutinho?

  29. No harm to trying out on Marc Bartra, ex-Barca and Dortmund, a ball-playing CB, still only 28. Now at Real Betis, I think he should be within our price range.

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