We are into the final 24 hours of the Premier League transfer window, and for the first time Arsenal will have to have all their wheelings and dealings done before they get to kick off the campaign.
The main one for many Gunners will be keeping Aaron Ramsey beyond the 5PM deadline, with the thought of losing our 2017-18 Player of the Season unthinkable at present. We signed the likes of Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira, but they simply come into fill holes left by Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, and losing the Welshman would be devastating. I believe he stays despite the fact he has less than 12 months remaining on his deal, but a new contract is a must before January. Of course he could still seal a move abroad after the deadline, but the strongest interest appeared to be from inside the PL.
Danny Welbeck is one player who has looked certain to go, but now not so much. The Englishman was a firm favourite of former boss Arsene Wenger but appears to have lost his place in the squad following the arrival of Unai Emery this summer. West Ham were linked but that now looks a no-go since they filled that void with Lucas Perez, and we will likely have to now look to try drum up interest abroad unless a late bid comes from him tomorrow.
One more player who is now deemed surplus to requirements is Colombian international David Ospina. The arrival of Bernd Leno is believed to free up his signature with Besiktas strongly linked. That could turn into something of a swap deal however, with us believed to be eyeing their Croatian international defender Domagoj Vida. Certainly an interesting move to keep your eyes on.
Unfortunately the biggest target of our summer window Ousmane Dembele appears to be staying put. We were a little hopeful to be expecting to prise a player away from Barcelona after they spent nearly £100 Million BEFORE add-ons, but a possible loan deal had been mooted, and if Ramsey had to be the makeweight in that deal than I’m probably happy that it didn’t happen…
There could always be new developments tomorrow, and we certainly hope there is an exciting change, but I’ll be happy just to keep Ramsey.
Is Ramsey the most important deal left to do this summer? Have we left ourselves short in any position going into the season? Should we be looking to improve our goalkeeping or winged positions?
Pat J