Also Saka was played into the ground last season and suffered injuries as a result. So we definitely need some back up for him Was reading a piece yesterday, where they were saying that the fears about Nwaneri are unfounded as Arteta wants to use him more in the middle in an Odegaard role and one that was left short last season with no ESR or Vieira. We all remember seeing Odegaard being overplayed, getting injured and then coming back and struggling for form. So potentially the Madueke signing does thus: Odegaard Saka Nwaneri Madueke And with Trossard going, that still leaves the possibility of Rodrygo on the left. Rodrygo Martinelli
Same with Odegaard. He had a bad injury then had to play almost every game from the moment he got back. I bet his legs were ****ed. That's one advantage of the EZE signing - he could play CAM & LW
I don't see us getting Eze, much as I would like us to. We have to remember that wages skyrocketed last year and we'll be adding to that with new signings and extensions for the likes of Saka, MLS, Saliba. Some have gone, like Partey, but I suspect the net of our wage position will push it up again. Wages are the key to transfers, not transfer fee. The transfer fee is amortised over years and every year we have transfer money freed up as players we signed 4+ years ago are no longer a cost on the books but will be staying at the club, but wages are a big annual commitment that only goes away when we get rid of a player. Basically we can maintain 150-200m a year in transfers with no impact on the accounts position because our annual amortisation rate is already £190m. Different with wages. New player wages and increased contracts to the P&L
I think it depends who leaves. Trossard will probably be sold (90k/w) - looking likely, I can see Zinchenko going(150k/w), Jorginho sold (110k/w), Jesus would be hard to sell whilst injured but at 265k/w - I expect they will look to sell in January. Partey was also a top earner (200k/w)and he's now gone. Either Eze or Rodrygo will require big wages.
Leavers we know about Tierney - £110k Partey - £200k Tomi - £100k Jorgihno - £110k Neto - £50k Maybe Zinny leaves too £150k - but no sign of it Looks like no more than £720k a week Take off Saka , Saliba and Martinelli whose contracts expire in 2027 and will need to be refreshed, plus the new deal for MLS - that is likely to be £300k a week of increase. Then we already signed Zubi, Norgaard and Kepa - probably another £300k a week total Leaves only about £120k a week - without even signing Gyokeres. I dont see where there is going to be much left for much more, unless we sell a current star Obviously all wages are not confirmed and can only be estimates.
There are reports that we can not agree a price with Sporting for Gyokeres and Man Utd are now back in - and willing to offer what Sporting are asking. If true, I guess it will come down to whether Gyokeres will go to Utd without CL football for at least next season.
