To add, it looks like Lyon are signing Andersen and so seeing as Roma are trying to sign Toby, it’s somewhat forced our hand for Saliba. Does need to be said though that he’ll be staying St Etienne for the season regardless of whether he joins us or Arsenal.
Couldn't you have gone for someone else for ****'s sake? There's plenty of young, promising centre-halves out there, why did you have to take the one we were so close to finalising? **** you lot
Not seen any reliable sources for this although David Ornstein who is basically Arsenal's mouthpiece at the BBC did retweet the original claim by french media RMC. Would be absolutely hysterical if this happens. Even if he never ends up playing for us it would be worth every penny just to spend all season laughing at them.
Mohammed Bouhafsi is arguably the most well respected journo in France and he’s the one reporting it so I reckon there’s something in this. I said a week or two ago when we were linked with him that I had a feeling it might have just been ****housery to force Arsenal to cough up more dough than they’d have wanted. Part of me still thinks that, although with the news of Toby to Roma, maybe we are genuinely looking for a long term replacement?
It is a bit weird. We've been linked with Andersen for months now but he just signed for Lyon for far less (£22m) than we've supposedly bid for Saliba (£28m with a loan back for a year). A mate of mine reckons that 'stepping aside' for Lyon to make their move for him was one of the T's & C's in our deal to get N'Dombele over the line quickly before the likes of United or Real started sniffing around. Wouldn't surprise me tbh as the Toby to Roma links seem to be strengthening (albeit Baldini's apparent refusal to meet his £25m release clause only further confirms how much of a clueless mug he truly is), so our sudden desperate need for a CB is explained and we couldn't sign our first choice because Lyon wanted him and we wanted N'Dombele, so we've gone for Saliba - because he is clearly prepared to move to the PL, to London specifically, and as it isn't Palace signing him this means that we shall enjoy a nice long piss on your open-top bus parade.
On a serious note, this would be utterly humiliating if it's true. Because it isn't just about the transfer, it's about the power dynamic between both Spurs and Arsenal. It's about reputation and status. This would clearly show, if it hadn't before, that Spurs and Arsenal are going in completely different directions, and only one of those clubs are an attractive proposition in north London. Wenger, Gazidis and Dick Law, thanks for completely ****ing us over for the foreseeable future.
I think we are and have maintained that all summer. I don't think Poch fully trusts Dier (neither do I, as you well know), and all the clues point to Foyth developing as a more versatile player than a dedicated CB. Also I don't think he'll ever be physically strong enough for the position at PL level - hence the experiments at RB last season. Makes a lot of sense if we shift to a partnership of Dave-Jan with Dier and Foyth as cover and Saliba developing for a further year in France. Would've been nice to sign a left-footed player but there aren't too many out there with Jan's ability.
It gets better: Neil Lennon confirms that Arsenal have pulled out of their one-team race to sign Kieran Tierney as they are unwilling (unable) to meet Celtic's fee. And Fenerbache confirm that they are no longer pursuing interest in Mesut Ozil as they can't afford his wage demands. I love Fridays like this.
Yeah there were actually rumours just the other day that we wouldn’t immediately pursue a Toby replacement too. So everything now seems to be adding up with regards to the Saliba story. I’m happy with Davies playing LCB when required, I thought he looked great there in the few games last season.
I've just realised, no matter what happens in the Saliba deal, you lot benefit. Best case scenario, you lot take him from right under our noses when everything was close to being agreed. Worst case scenario, we get him instead, but will do so by having to pay extra and by eating into our limited transfer budget even more. Regardless of the outcome, I'm hoping we can stop all these stupid antics (pushing other players to force moves) and penny-pinching tactics to sign some damn ****ing players. There's no time to be dossing around with all this petty BS. This week: - Koscielny, our club captain, is refusing to go on US tour so he can force a move to France. - There have been no suitors Mustafi even though we are offering him to other clubs. - Ziyech is interested in a move to Arsenal but after 'detailed analysis', Emery has decided to not go for him, despite his £25m release clause. - Zaha will (most likely) not be happening. - Ismailia Sarr is close to finalising a £30m move to Watford. - Saliba looks to be joining you lot, after the finishing touches were being made for him to sign for Arsenal. Just fold the club and start all over again.
