Now I know there is a long way until June, but that doesn’t stop the Sunday papers coming up with lots of Arsenal transfer rumours to give us all something to talk about. Todays offerings are NOT about incoming players but instead are focusing on which players Arsene Wenger could be losing in the summer.
First of all the Star is reporting that one of Man City’s top targets is our very own terrier Jack Wilshere, as they are under pressure to build up their “home-grown” contingent at the Etihaad.I am not sure how many JustArsenal readers would actually complain about this deal, especially as Man City are well-known for splashing out ridiculous amounts to get their targets.
Although a child prodigy and an early England international, Wilshere seems to have been on the treatment table for most of his Arsenal career. Maybe that will change at a club like City, but I wouldn’t bank on it, and wonder why City would be so keen to take that chance? Strangely enough that same article reckons that, although Wilshere has three years left on his contract, the Gunners are looking to extend it by another two years AND increase his wages to £150,000-a-week. Really?
Secondly, the same paper reports that Roberto Mancini has targeted Wojciech Szczesny for Inter Milan this summer as his current Number One, Samir Handanovic, is expected to be leaving at the end of the season. Again they ruin it by saying that Man United are the favourites to land the Slovenian, presumably as third-choice keeper behind David De Gea and Victor Valdes. Really?
But this article is not here to discuss the veracity of the rumours in question, but to ask the question of whether Arsenal fans would be unhappy if both (or either of them) were to part company with the club. I could see Szczesny moving on if he remains as second choice behind Ospina, but we already have Emiliano ready to be second choice for Arsenal, and Wenger has also just approved a contract extension for the 20 year-old Macedonian stopper Deyan Iliev, so we are hardly going to be short of cover if Szczesny leaves.
So, who thinks we should cash in on Wilshere and Szczesny if the chance arises?