Watford have pulled out of a deal to sign Kieran Gibbs from Arsenal today, after failing to agree personal terms.
The left-back had been expected to complete a deal with the Hornets after a fee had been agreed between the two clubs, but the two parties have seemingly failed to agree terms.
It leads us to believe that the wage has been the stumbling block in the deal, although it could be anything from squad status to a disagreement over a relegation-clause or anything, although the former appears most likely.
Gibbs is believed to be on £60,000 per week, and likely to have been after a pay-rise to go with his move, and while Watford’s highest earner is on £100,000, they do keep to quite a strict wage budget.
The defender is into the final 12 months of his contract in North-London, and a move has looked ever-likely especially given the arrival of Sead Kolasinac from Schalke this summer.
Nacho Monreal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are already vying with the new signing for a starting spot, leaving Gibbs limited in his chance of game-time.
It remains to be seen whether there are any other potential suitors for the England international, and with just over 48 hours left of the transfer window, hopefully we can offload him, and bring other players into our squad.
We could certainly do with adding a centre-back or two given that Gabriel Paulista has already left the club, and Shkodran Mustafi looks ever-likely to leave too, and we have already been forced to field both left-backs Nacho Monreal and Kolasinac as makeshift central defenders…
Would Gibbs have turned down a move knowing he may have to spend the season without playing? Would he have a chance of playing if the Ox leaves?
Pat J