Can Arsenal even get our targets this Summer? by Galen
In the last two years, the FFP rules seemed to be shaping up nicely, with many clubs such as Arsenal, Atletico de Madrid and Lyon closing the gap on the so-called Chelsea’s, PSG and Madrids of this world. UEFA had agreed on a set of punishments to give to clubs that don’t obey the rules. We saw clubs like Chelsea, yes Chelsea making big sales of the likes of Mata, De Bruyne and David Luiz in order to balance their books. We saw the likes of City being punished last season with the squad reduced to 21 instead of 25, and some top players like Jovetic were left out of the Champions league squad. The Arsenal boss Mr Wenger later explained that there needs to be more clarification on the rules as many people didn’t understand how it works.
“We live in a society where everyone is informed.” Arsene said. “The rules have to be clear that you can inform people well. If I go out in the street now and I ask 100 people what you think of the (UEFA financial) fair play punishment, how many do you think can explain it to you? I am in the job and I cannot do it.
“They have to clarify the punishment. We all agree that if we don’t respect the rules you have to be punished, but to explain to people how that works is very difficult.”
The Man City manager Mr Pellegrini said: “The rules are meant to protect big clubs like Manchester United, Madrid and Barca.” United or Madrid could spend £200m in one transfer window and no one will say a thing. Recently French lawyers have said FFP favours the English clubs as their TV money is out of this world. Commercially as well clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, United, and City are out of this world with shirt deals, stadium deals, and TV money.
Mr Platini has said UEFA will relax it rules this summer and that is seriously going to make things difficult for Arsenal. Clubs like AC Milan’s “Mr Bee” and Inter Milan’s “Eric Thohir” have got new owners who are ready to invest 150 Million each in the summer. Then you add City and PSG to that and it is really making our transfers difficult.
Gilliani has already said that AC Milan is willing to pay 40 million Euro (£28.6m) for Knondogbia, and Inter Milan is willing to match that. That is a transfer target that could be off to Italy by next week. The players price was initially at £20m.
While Arsenal tried to negotiate the £25 million release on Jackson Martinez’ contract, AC Milan were ready to pay £25 million pounds even though the player will be 29 years old in October. It is clear to see that new owners and relaxation of FFP may ruin our summer.
Wenger said before the FA Cup final “when I make 10, I don’t spend 20”. These are basic economic principles that our parents try to teach us when we are kid. Its all about living withing your means, spending what you make. But clubs out there are ruthless, they will pay more money, bend the rules. They will cheat, make illegal transfers like Barcelona, and they will do whatever it takes to win and get the players they want.
We need to show more desire in the window with so many rivals willing to break the bank for ur targets. Maybe we shall pay £5m more for a transfer but that seems to be the nature of business this days. Debating over a couple of £££’s may make us lose all our targets. Mr Wenger once said: “My biggest regret, I was so close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo, and not only did I not get him he signed for Manchester United, so that of course still hurts today. We were a few hundred of thousands £££ away.”
Hope u enjoy reading. Have a great weekend people.