01 Jun 2019 11:03:57
Hi Eds, great updates on possible outgoing - think all those players aren't good enough. Seen kolasinac linked with a move back to schalke, do you know if there is genuine interest from Schalke, or any other side in kolasinac? He's had a very poor season in my opinion, particular the second half of the season.

Also, not qualifying for champions league will obviously rule out some of our targets. Do you have any insight over who we will look to sign now? Assuming 1 or 2 cb's, 1 or 2 lb's, rb, cm, attacking winger?

Fraser and maddison still possible, and seems the alexis Claude Maurice one will happen. Rabbiot and umtiti probs out of the question now.

If rumours of meunier true that's rb sorted, and AMN can move in to support midfield. Hear that many of our youngsters are good thought highly of, saka, amaechi, balogun, Smith-Rowe, Nelsson, Willock, John jules for examples. Any idea who the club might look to integrate and who they will look to send out on loan?

Thanks! COYG.

{Ed002's Note - Schalke are certainly keen to re-sign Kolasinac. It remains something like this:

GK, LB, CB, CM, RW wanted

Odisseas Vlachodimos (G)
Nick Pope (G) off the list
Markus Schubert (G) Dynamo Dresden kid

Thomas Meunier (RB) an option with Lichtsteiner and Jenkinson leaving

Nicolas Tagliafico (LB) if Kolasinac leaves - as LB may be the lowest priority - interest from elsewhere and his club don't want to sell - player wants a move to Inter - won't happen
Junior Firpo (LB) – looks to be heading elsewhere and very expensive - won't happen
Alex Grimaldo (LWB) price may be beyond Arsenal and interest from CL sides
David Alaba (LB) issue would be not being in the CL and interest from elsewhere - but possible

Michael Keane (CB) Arsenal took the opportunity to watch him at West Ham 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.
Kostas Manolas (CB) available to Italian sides at €36M but Roma are looking for €50M from English or Spanish sides.
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) I am not aware of interest from Liverpool - 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.
William Saliba (CB) no approach has been made to his club by Arsenal yet
Brandon Soppy (CB) Rennes kiddie - recommended by an ex player - perhaps 2020

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 probably 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 as it won't happen.
Pablo Fornals (CM/AM) still being considered but in talks with another side
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
Dennis Praet (CM) there has been a suggested fishing trip to look at Praet - it makes little sense to me

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

Alexis Claude-Maurice (AM) youngster from Lorient who has progressed well this season and attracted the attention of Norwich, Sion, Leeds and Lens, and probably others.

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 for a player who has suffered injury, form and attitude problems this season - but may be possible
David Neres (RW/LW) has been watched but no approach has been made to Ajax yet - but he is available
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 but I suspect Barcelona will step away
Zaha (RW) Emery says he likes the player but Crystal Palace will look for £60M plus which will take a serious chunk of the available funds away - but perfectly possible as the big buy of the summer if Champions League is not an issue and if Arsenal can raise funds
Hakim Ziyech (RW/AM) concerns over one particular issue (which has already made a couple of clubs step back) will probably end the interest of Arsenal - but don't strike him off the list just yet
Allan Saint-Maximin (RW) has been watched and is available
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, Burnley 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 and Borussia Monchengladbach have 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

Wesley Moraes (F) a Welbeck replacement concerned about game time
Gabriel Martinelli (F) He is a child - he is not for the first team but could happen.

I can't help with the youngsters at Arsenal at all.}


1.) 01 Jun 2019
01 Jun 2019 13:07:15
brilliant summary Ed002 cheers.


2.) 01 Jun 2019
01 Jun 2019 13:41:41
Wow, great post Ed, you say Alaba is possible, obviously he would be expensive. a lot see him as one of the best in the position. I don’t want to put us down, but what attracting him to Arsenal?

{Ed002's Note - Nothing is attracting him to Arsenal right now.}


3.) 01 Jun 2019
01 Jun 2019 13:53:29
Thanks for a great, detailed response! Hoping for lots of outgoings (kolasinac, miki, ozil, Monreal, Elneny, maybe Xhaka) on top of those out of contract, and lots of incomings. We should really look to bring through some of the academy players too, interested to see what happens with Bielik, who I think only has 12 months on his contract, but looks a good prospect. Thanks again Ed, COYG!


4.) 02 Jun 2019
02 Jun 2019 13:58:18
Hope we target our signings to the most important areas - defence - and ready our young players for a step up. Ainsley is ready to start and hopefully gets a run in midfield.

Out of curiosity eds, do you see Xhaka leaving this summer? He wasn't our worst player this season by a distance but his talk of 'stepping up' to a bigger club irked me and the silly mistakes are still there.

{Ed002's Note - A chance but the efforts are being made to move others on. I am not aware of any interest in him.}


5.) 02 Jun 2019
02 Jun 2019 18:55:24
Thanks Ed, that is quite the comprehensive list.

Do you have any information regarding Arsenal's willingness to sell either Lacazette or Aubamayang?

Thanks,

{Ed002's Note - Try searching please. Everything has already been addressed.}