Arsenal, the Pride of London - 2016/2017 Season

[kp41]

if that happens change my id to Wenger4Life

 

[Sir Didier Drogba]

It won't happen. Mahrez at a push.

 

[poet11]

I think the Mustafi thing looks very reactive atm with Per and Gabriel's injury but there were some chatter about Wenger wanting an experienced CB from the off.

As for Griezmann, I see too big an opportunity from Arsenal and Wenger's perspective to not give it a real shot. The reliable source have been alluding to a "madness" move without naming the player- which I figured is Griezmann by description- saying the player needs convincing.

There's not a noise in the media like how the Vardy thing broke out after the activation of his clause without any media outlets having a clue before hand apart from my source, obviously. Griezmann has a buy out clause of 80m. Atletico have spent a fortune and you need to help by selling Diego Costa back to them causing the domino effect. Signing Lukaku from Everton as his replacement of course.

But its a very real possibility. If which is a major if, we could convince Griezmann, its about just activating his clause and Atletico can't do anything.

Considering everything, it makes too much sense for us not to be in for him.

 

[Sir Didier Drogba]

On what planet is it a 'very real possibility'?

That release clause is £85m. If you were to offer it, which you won't, you would have to throw your entire wage structure out the window, which you won't, and then greizman would have to want to come to a vastly inferior club, which he won't.

The only reason he would leave atletico is money or an even greater shot at glory (and not many clubs can offer better than simeone's atletico who finished CL runners up and are always in the la liga contenders) and two things you do not choose Arsenal for are glory or money.

 

[poet11]

On what planet is it a 'very real possibility'?

That release clause is £85m. If you were to offer it, which you won't, you would have to throw your entire wage structure out the window, which you won't, and then greizman would have to want to come to a vastly inferior club, which he won't.

The only reason he would leave atletico is money or an even greater shot at glory (and not many clubs can offer better than simeone's atletico who finished CL runners up and are always in the la liga contenders) and two things you do not choose Arsenal for are glory or money.

85m in this market for Griezmann is fair value-that's how Wenger rolls, see Xhaka, Ozil and Alexis transfers- and we can afford it, no problem. The wage structure would be fine, we're going to have to renew Alexis and Ozil again in the 200k+ bracket by mid season, and convince them to do so.

Not a chance in hell is Arsenal a vastly inferior club to Atletico. I'll bet money this is Simeone's final year there and them competing with RM and Barca is as much as saying Arsenal finishing 3rd and 2nd in consecutive seasons so we're competing to win the title.

Atletico have to sell a player which they haven't this window despite the incoming players and they're about to go to a new stadium in 2017 with already red finances.

At this stage of the squad, and the club, we need a marque player. We're Puma's most marketable club and Griezmann their poster boy. This is overall a real business opportunity, footballing need and potential breakthrough for better.

For just 85m, no negotiating with Atletico and a French superstar who actually can justify it immediately. Not like 28 year old and fat Higuain or 100m hype job and potential.

After that all the squad is going to need is find fullbacks next summer and possibly, Ospina's replacement as a 2nd choice GK.

The generation of young players coming up is the best at Arsenal since forever from the academy in basically every position apart from CB which has been dealt with by buying Holding-who is a beautiful modern player-, Bielik two seasons ago and Chambers.

There would be no need to to break the bank for another star but just renew the under performers and aging players.

 

[poet11]

If we can't convince Griezmann though, it could be Mahrez along with someone like Chicarito or Bacca near the end of the window which would still be great. Much better even.

I have a very optimistic feeling about Griezmann actually happening, though. It makes far too much sense.

And, if Griezmann and his reps were that serious about staying at Atleti while they are that adamant at keeping him, his buyout should've been far higher during renewal. Griezmann on his renewal said he wanted to stay at Atleti but his reps immediately overruled him by saying a transfer in the near future is still a possibility. Usually, the clauses in Spain are far higher than their actual value in the market and the whole situation is too inviting for everyone concerned.

 

[Sir Didier Drogba]

I don't think he's serious about staying I suspect that (low) clause is there to dangle him infront of city, United, Real Madrid etc but they didn't bite this season or also to allow him to follow Simeone if he leaves the club

 

[poet11]

I don't think he's serious about staying I suspect that (low) clause is there to dangle him infront of city, United, Real Madrid etc but they didn't bite this season or also to allow him to follow Simeone if he leaves the club

Exactly but none of them bar PSG would actually want/need him. RM is out of question with such a big player. They won't probably after two CL final losses like that so recently.

Wenger is on his final year of the contract and its very likely its his last season.

Maybe, Griezmann this season and Simeone follows next? We must keep up with the rest of you and without a top class manager that isn't going to happen given the situation in the PL with nobody really available now that Emery went to PSG.

Btw, everything agreed with Mustafi, confirmed his agent but negotiating the fee. Should be around 25m pounds. We'd have spent nearly 80, already.

Other stuff is that we could go for Mahrez but have to sell first. We're overloaded with attacking midfielders and wingers so we need to free up space over there. Personally, would get shot of Theo and Ox but the most likely to leave is Joel, unfortunately who is more productive than both.

 

[Sir Didier Drogba]

You won't get greizman this season - as one of those big clubs didn't bite then he will wait til next season. An £85m transfer means that wherever is next destination is will be his club for the next 5 years and he is just not going to commit the best years of his career to arsenal.

If by some miracle you get simeone then he might follow to be part of the project but otherwise nah.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

What Shifty said used to be true and is why Wenger didn't get too criticised for the first 5-6 years he went without a major trophy but the truth is the new TV deals, champions league money every year and the (admittedly brief) leveller of fanancial fair play means that Arsenal could compete financially now and choose not too and I think this is what drives Arsenal fans nuts

Whether they can't, or they can and choose not to, that decision does not really lie with Wenger. The budget is set by the owners of the club, and they are notorious cheapskates.

 

[Arnau]

Wenger being undiscussed ilustrate Arsenals mediocrity

 

[poet11]

Another big issue is that we're not good or unable to move players on.

 

[poet11]

We've pulled out of the Mustafi deal or he did according to my sources.

 

[B9Goal]

How does Granit Xhaka commit 4 fouls in less than a half hour? Should have been sent off before the full time whistle.

 

[B9Goal]

We've pulled out of the Mustafi deal or he did according to my sources.

Valencia came out and said that Arsenal were never in for him. It was all smoke by Gazidis to keep the fans from outright rioting.

 

[Sir Didier Drogba]

On the plus side neither west Brom nor the Jonny Evans camp have ruled out any deal

 

[poet11]

True but WBA can't replace him at this stage. Their defense is dreadful bar Evans. We've been linked to Toprak and Kjaer.

 

[Arnau]

Told ya Arsenal had no interest in Mustafi. Leverkusen refused a 30m bid from BVB for Toprak so i doubt you will sign him.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Neverkusen won't stay in the CL if they give all their decent players away.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Wenger asked for the money to pay Griezmann's buyout clause and the board refused.