I lived in Poole Dorset; my Stepdad supports Bournemouth, and I would attend Dean Court when they were in League 2 and 1.
So naturally I keep an eye on the Cherries.
Reports that Porto have accepted an initial 31.7 million bid for Evanilson has left me thinking a few things, both positive and negative.
It’s been reported on more than one occasion that Arsenal sent out scouts to Portugal to watch the Brazilian and were very impressed, only to be advised that the player had a 100 million release clause.
Rumours say that this time last year Man United were quoted 60 million for the 24-year-old.
Porto’s transfer policy has long been to identify a gem from South America, develop the talent before making a huge profit.
Yet they may have not estimated that since January a lot of English clubs are being cautious with their money, sensitive to FFP sanctions.
Even with 8.1 million adds ons, this could be the bargain of the summer.
It would make it hard for Edu with a straight face to say there were no options available that would make out attack better.
At the very least he’s better then Nketiah, a player Arteta stopped selecting in the title race and was willing to sell if Marseille went up to 30 million (that could cost us everything).
In a world where everyone talks, our director of football must be aware that Evanilson is valued this low? So why wouldn’t we match the from the South Coast?
I would love to suggest it’s a sign that we got something else lined up and have been slightly put off by the forward’s injury record last campaign and don’t want to gamble on him settling into a new culture?
My fear is, the Gunners don’t see the forward position as a priority and to balance the books and will only go into the market if they raise their own funds.
Our owners under Mr Wenger were accused of not having the ambition to take that extra step, but were able to hide behind wanting to be a self-sustained model, meaning we were handicapped by stadium debt.
The Emirates is now paid for, they have the maximum UEFA revenue, ticket prices increased, and merchandise cost an insane amount.
So, while I would never want my club to spend cash they haven’t got, I would like to understand how we can’t find 40 million for a player we clearly rate who plays in the part of the puzzle where a piece is missing.
That’s a conversation to have at the end of the month?
I hope not.
Dan
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I think sometimes our board suffers from paralysis by analysis. They are so cautious we miss out on good players and then up buying players like Trossard, who is decent and has done a job but ain’t ripping up the league any time soon.
We’ve had plenty of opportunities to buy good quality players, who will improve the squad. Players such as Jonathon David, who is an Arsenal fan, a good age, a great presser, and a 1:2 goal scorer in the French league.
There are good players available who will improve the squad and won’t cost £100m.
I wonder why some people sound stupid while making a good point. Why mention Trosard who in comparison to previous target (Murdryk) has performed way better without costing as much. Arteta and the board are doing what they think is the best for the team, simple.
I totally agree, Frank. My opinion on Trossard is my own and I don’t expect other people to agree with it. He’s been good for us.
The point I was trying to make is that I think Edu and Arteta do things the right way in regards to transfers but sometimes seem to doubt their own work or just hesitate for some other reason. I trust them to make the right choices (mostly) and so should they.
For the record I think Mudryk is awesome but has a touch of the Adamas about him when it comes to his end product.
I like our new #33 and I hope he is a success. But why invest in a possible fifth left back option when we already have a great defence? Surely priority was a goal machine. Second is a midfielder.
It seems like we will keep Nketiah and Nelson rather than invest.
Opportunity missed? Given the choice, I’d have kept ESR over Nketiah.
Also “slipped through” Man United, Chelsea, & Man City’s fingers.
None need a striker to help win title
Well it might just be that after his two games against us in the CL, and any of the games our scouts watched him in Portugal, the club decided he wasn’t for us.
Btw, The Arsenal has always been run as a self-sustained club.
‘ I am shocked that Arsenal let this Brazilian star striker slip through their fingers ”
The answer is clear as day, Arsenal have a bigger fish to fry, surely.
I think Arteta has full confidence in Havertz to lead the Arsenal forward line. The pursuit of Sesko was probably to supplement, not supplant, Havetrz. Since that deal did not materialise, and with Jesus showing early promising signs, Arteta probably feels he doesn’t need another to striker.
If, however, both Nketiah and Nelson leave we would probably see another forward, most likely a winger, in the Arsenal squad.