07 May 2019 15:51:18
Hi Eds,
I am hoping you can tell me that we have been trying to find a buyer for Mustafi, as well as trying to find a replacement for him within the squad.
Any news on either?
{Ed002's Note - Shkodran Mustafi will be allowed to leave - in terms of replacements, Arsenal have been looking:
Michael Keane (CB) Arsenal have taken the opportunity to watch him at West Ham recently and it was reported back that the scouts were both impressed by MK and particularly Kurt Zouma
Jean-Philippe Gbamin (CB) Mainz have said they will sell at the right price and have said that Arsenal have returned to watch him with a new scout (the last having been sacked) and that Lille and Manchester City have also looked at him - but the player may want Champions League if he moves from Mainz.
Ibrahima Konate (CB) the player does not want to move to Arsenal
Samuel Umtiti (CB) Barcelona are keen to move him on and UE is keen to take him if the right deal can be figured out - Arsenal want a loan to buy - but could easily be priced out of a move, particularly given injury concerns. Could be a very expensive mistake.
Boubacar Kamara (CB) - very unlikely as talks progress with another side and Marseille would like to keep him - interest raised by a well respected scout who was then sacked by Minislat - the lady from Marseille says that she does not see Arsenal as an option
Djene (CB/RB) has been watched by Arsenal and Leicester (pre Brendan Rodgers) but money may be an issue for Arsenal as he would cost €35M in hard cash - no structured payments - Lille turned down the chance to sign him as they did not see him as good enough for them
Matthias Ginter (CB) enquiries from two EPL sides (including Arsenal) came to nothing. If he did move he would want to be a started which will cut out Bayern, as will him having no interest in being used as cover for multiple positions. He would be expensive and is apparently happy. Don't hold your breath.
07 May 2019 17:18:25
Is there any updated list for wingers Ed?
{Ed002's Note - I don't think anything has changed so:
Ismaila Sarr (RW) was watched earlier in the season before Arsenal moved on a well respected scout. There was certainly no discussion about the player whilst any Europa league tie but there is interest, although the price may be prohibitive at €50M
Cengiz Under (RW) enquired after but seen as too expensive at €40M
David Neres (RW/LW) has been watched but no approach has been made to Ajax
Nicolas Pepe (RW) is way out of Arsenal's financial reach
Suso (RW) watched again but expensive - although is home grown
Cristian Pavon (RW/F) Arsenal may turn to an old Wenger target - there is interest from Ajax, Barcelona and from another English side who have been told that when he moves it will be to Barcelona - but their focus is on another player right now - very unlikely
Zaha (RW) Emery says he likes the player but Crystal Palace will look for around £60M which will take a serious chunk of the available funds away - but perfectly possible as the big buy of the summer
Hakim Ziyech (RW/AM) concerns over one particular issue (which has already made a couple of clubs step back) will end the interest of Arsenal
Samuel Chukwueze (RW) a Villareal youngster in Spain under the Cotonou Agreement that drew attention of Arsenal again recently when they were scouting another player (Pablo Fornals). As a 16 year old he had trials at Arsenal after the Under 17 World Cup but it came to nothing. Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich have a declared interest in the player, as does Leicester City but they realised there would be a need to overpay on transfer fee or wages to ensure a Work Permit could be obtained so asked for a price - and stepped back at the €60M quoted.
Ivan Perisic (LW) too old and pricey - won't happen
Benito Raman (LW) watched but concern over the step up - Everton, Burnely and WHU have also looked at him
Leandro Trossard (LW) was certainly watched at the start of the season by an Arsenal scout who has since left the club. He is young but I know that Wolfsburg has also watched him and spoken with Genk. I am not aware of any deal being made and that seems a decent sum of money to pay for a LW when a RW is the real priority.
Ryan Fraser (LW) has the advantage of being home grown
}
07 May 2019 20:27:51
Ed you mention available funds when mentioning Zaha. How much does arsenal have available this summer?
{Ed002's Note - It will depend on sales.}
07 May 2019 21:05:25
And champions league football I guess. Thanks Ed for the information and hope all is well mate.
{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}
08 May 2019 02:29:49
"Mustafi will be allowed to leave" - much as, I hope, Idi Amin was "allowed to leave" Uganda.
08 May 2019 07:49:04
Mustafi has been a big disappointment. Before we signed him, I had noticed him playing in the German national team and was impressed. Clearly he needs to go and be replaced. We have had a series of 6ft centre backs and it would be an idea to sign a taller centre back. I was impressed by Brighton’s centre backs and wondered if they could make the jump up to a top 6 club?
07 May 2019 21:19:09
Awesome insight Ed, great to know who we are after now so we don't get disappointed when we are linked with De Ligt and Co.
I'd like to ask one more thing of you Ed, do you know who our targets are to replace Ramsey? Or are we planning on replacing from within?
{Ed002's Note - Nothing has changed:
James Maddison (CM/AM) is emerging as a summer target for Arsenal (due largely to preferred choices not being available) but Leicester will resist selling him this summer unless a ridiculous offer is made and a move to Arsenal is very unlikely
Adrien Rabiot (CM/AM) - Emery wants him but wages will be very high and interest from elsewhere will likely win out. Obviously Rabiot is in a position now where he can negotiate a summer deal (let's assume that to be a signing on fee, a wage/bonus package, agent and third party fees) with any club outside of the remit of the FFF. This includes Arsenal and a number of other sides. Don't hold your breath - it won't happen
Kai Havertz (CM/AM) option to Rabiot but won't happen as his future is largely mapped out with a move happening in 2020. I would forget him.
Joe Aribo (CM) remains of interest - but is he ready to step up? Charlton are to offer him the best deal possible.
Nicolo Barella (CM) Napoli and Chelsea failed with approaches in January - and he wants to be a starter and stay in Italy - so very difficult. Don't hold your breath.
Ever Banega (CM) - Emery again likes the player but the club are not so keen, but if the preferred choices are not available he may need to be considered again
Christopher Nkunku (LM/AM) wanted by Emery and PSG may be open to a sale, but there is a dependency in Paris that could change that and interest from elsewhere
David Brooks (AM) Arsenal has watched him and may make an offer if Oezil were to be moved on
Julian Draxler (AM) expect player to be offered to the club
Pablo Fornals (AM) still being looked at
}
08 May 2019 12:27:43
Hello Ed. I was wondering if you'd be willing to answer if Chelsea would be willing to sell Zouma to Arsenal as they're their rivals? Perfectly understand if you don't want to answer, and in the case feel free to just delete this comment :)
{Ed002's Note - Chelsea have no problems who they sell players to.}
08 May 2019 12:43:47
Actually surprised to hear that, as I thought most clubs tried not to sell to their direct rivals. Anyways, thanks for the reply - have a nice day!
{Ed002's Note - Cole, Giroud, Cech, Gallas, Diarra, Benayoun ..?}
08 May 2019 13:25:35
Well I guess I see hos stupid it sounds now hahaha.