It does make me worry that we may lose Theo - i really hope we don't But if Theo signs a new deal, Henry comes in on loan and we add two more players to the squad of good quality then things could look really positive for the second half of the season. If the two new signings can have the impact Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla have had on the team i'll be more than happy! I personally hope theo signs a new deal and Zaha isn't one of the players we sign but instead we add a striker (hunterlaar, Cavani or Llorente will do!) and a Diaby-esque midfield player for when Diaby is out. For Wenger to be open about looking to sign two players it sounds to me like there is somethign that is well under way - he doesn't normally say anything unless he thinks something will get done. And with his comments about funds being available and the recent announcements about new sponsorship deals, it's positive signs from the club that we are entering an era where we can afford to spend a little cash!
Don't you just love the excitement when you know the club is going to make a signing but you don't know who yet? The anticipation!
Maybe a suprise bid for Gotze? We supposedly had an offer turned down of £20 mil, and he reportedly has a release clause of £30 mil - maybe some room for manouver? Now that would be one hell of a january signing!
Only person i can think of coming is Zaha, but even that is unlikely as its a January buy. Also i don't see the point of him coming in when we have Walcott fit and firing. It looks like Wenger is going for a majority English base to the squad. Letting go of Walcott would be pointless in my opinion and signal a failure of transfer policy. I also doubt if Henry will be coming for a loan move either, as his club have been reluctant. As for them, i don't see anyone coming. Don't know why people are speaking of Goetze so much, no way he will come for a number of reasons. We have a one out and one in policy and I'm not sure we have room according to Wenger.
I hope a WILF is nothing like a GILF! But in all seriousness I think that may be the case. Zaha is being lined up as a possible replacement for Theo should he leave. I think Llorente would be an fantastic signing as would Huntelaar. I would go with OUT... Chamakh Bendtner Eastmond IN: Lorente/Huntelarr (or if we're playing straight up fantasy football Edison Cavani.) MVila
Well we were'nt trying to keep them for the first 5-6 years but its become a viscious cycle. Now we cant keep hold of our best players because we've already sent out the message that we value money over trophies. I think the sale of Nasri and Fabregas really did our clubs profile some damage. The best way to repair that damage would be to sign some TOP talent and let the rest of europe know we are looking to compete with the best again.
This is something we need to stop. I think Wenger is trying to make a change by speaking publically about signing up Walcott and Wilshere to new deals. But, the club needs to put their money where their mouth is. It's bad enough that we lose our best foreign talent, but f we go on to lose our best British talent, then our current strategy would be a failure.
Holloway seems adamant that zaha is staying with palace until the summer, it's good though to actually have wenger quoted as saying that he is interested in 2 players, and i don't really see henry starting for us, coming on as a sub and being a bit part player is the most likely option. Also now that wenger has said that alot of bs is going to be thrown about, cavani always seems to be linked with city or chelsea so i doubt we will get him. Huntelaar seems to be the most likely option aswel as zaha. And yes i would like to see us sign zaha, he is a different type of player compared to oxo, he is more individual and better in one-on-one situations.
Wouldn't make sense for Palace to sell Zaha in January, promotion is worth far more to them. If he leaves it will be in the summer
Also those of you saying don't sign zaha, someone with the ability to commit and go past players is exactly what we need right now. We are far too static in our play and in order to create space yes you can pass the ball but once you beat one player it draws more towards you therefore creating space for others. Our midfield is badly calling out for diaby's return, i'd even put rosicky in there. Arteta's performances have dropped, give coquelin a chance. Right now the team is not performing well so changes should be made.
Llorente+M'Vila would be perfect. Sign M'Vila to strenghen DM/CM positions. We can't rely on Diaby being our 4th choice because he's never there. The alternatives are Ramsey and Coquelin who aren't good enough. Then if we want to rest Cazorla we can move Wilshere or Arteta to AM or bring in Rosicky. If Wenger brings in yet another winger I will be stunned at the stupidity of it, but not surprised. The only positions we need to strenghen are the central positions (as usual). A new CB would be nice too.
M'Vila has been banned from playing for France for two years. He has serious off the field problems and it's one of the reasons Wenger turned down the chance to sign him. We can't risk wasting on money on a player that could cause us more trouble than he is worth.
The ban for M'Vila was for an "unauthorised night out while on U21 duty". It's clear the French FA over-reacted. Like Ribery said, a fine would have been appropriate. I agree he has problems, but I think they are blown out of proportion, especially for a 22 year old. On the pitch he seems to conduct himself properly.
He is 22 years old, and is still at a club like Rennes. He might have the talent, but clearly there is a reason, why so many of the clubs linked to him have yet to make a move.
To be honest it makes him a better deal though. A year ago they were talking about 20-30 Million pounds to Barcelona. Most the big clubs have been put off by his antics - but in case you forget the same thing was true of Van Persie back in the day. A year ago Rennes wanted £20+ Million, at the moment we could probably steal him for 10-15 Million. He has issues like Balotelli (although he's not THAT crazy) but he's a simular level of talent. If looked after right he could be an absolute bargain.
Agreed, nothing wrong with bringing in M'Villa. He probably needs a new start in a new place, where better than North London with a much respected manager. People are making out like he's a really big problem. Balotelli is a problem, Tevez is a problem, Suarez is a problem, Barton is a problem.....
Henry is the talent that you dream to have. He has fantastic physique, fantastic technique, a fantastic brain, all built together in one man. At the start he was not confident enough but he has gone on to show what a great player he is.' That quote made me chuckle... Why sell him then???
I love how people think there is only one factor in getting a player and that is 'wanting' him. Even if we wanted Cavani, a january transfer for him is out of the question.