18 Jul 2020 15:21:27
Hi Ed, any idea if arsenal are interested in a Portuguese winger called Joelson Fernandes, plays for sporting Lisbon.
{Ed002's Note - Joelson Fernandes (LW/F/RW) another possible Jadon Sancho replacement that has been considered by Borussia Dortmund but they were not impressed by the non-negotiable €45M cash release clause or Sporting saying that they are discussing a new contract with his "agent" which will see the release clause double. There is a potential legal issue if his agent deals directly with any other clubs because of his age, but approaches have been made to Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea but none are keen on such a huge investment for someone who has had only a tiny amount of experience at first team level. If Arsenal are willing to spend that amount on a player who would certainly be behind Bukayo Saka for a while it would be a bold move and a giant hint that Kia Joorabchian has really got a hold on Edu and Arsenal.}
18 Jul 2020 15:55:13
Thanks Ed, I’m assuming it’s not going to happen because we can only sell to buy and not many sides are interested in our players right?
{Ed002's Note - Arsenal are going to be selling and some money will be available to make changes.}
18 Jul 2020 16:03:25
Thanks Ed. A bit of a weird question which I wanted to ask you. Is Arteta trying to put pressure on those which have budgetary responsibility? He’s been making some comments such as saying he doesn’t know how much money will be available to him. unless I’m reading too much into it.
{Ed002's Note - I would not think so - he knows the problem that exists and knows the club will need to be looking to sell players to contribute towards buying players - but there will be huge looses this year and the reserves were used up because of stupidity last summer.}
18 Jul 2020 21:49:56
Thanks Ed!
19 Jul 2020 12:24:19
It’s going to be very interesting to see who Arteta considers to be part of his plans and who he’s open to selling.
When you look at his approach since his arrival, how the players have responded and how he speaks about the players you’d be forgiven for thinking we actually might not be very active in the transfer market.
If we get Ozil off our wage bill we can give Auba the contract he deserves, to me he speaks and acts like a player who’s identified he’s at the right club for him, that’s not to say Madrid or Barcelona wouldn’t be but I think it would take one of those 2 to lure him or a lucrative offer from City which wouldn’t surprise me at all.
I can see us releasing Ozil, selling Guendouzi, Socratis, Kolasinac and Torreira, loaning Holding and maybe Nelson.
If we keep everyone else and add Ceballos, Partey and I’m going to say Coutinho even tho it’s a long shot I think we’ve addressed two key areas and would be in a much better spot to seriously contest CL qualification next season.
You’ve a strong squad with cover in each position
Leno/ Martinez
Bellerin/ Cedric/ M Niles
Saliba/ Chambers/ Luiz/ Mustafi
Tierney/ Saka/ M Niles
Xhaka/ Ceballos/ Partey/ Willock/ M Niles
RWF Pepe/ Saka/
LWF Auba/ Saka/ Martinelli
Num 10 Courtinho/ Smith Rowe
ST Lacca/ Auba/ Eddie
For me that’s a squad that can compete under Arteta. if he’s ruthless and has other players in mind I’ll be all the more excited but I would be more than happy with a transfer window of Ceballos, Partey and Coutinho (if the terms were right) .
Ed do you have any insight into realistic players of interest to Arteta.
{Ed002's Note - I will be providing an update in a few days.}
19 Jul 2020 12:59:35
Great stuff Ed, look forward to it.