That is also why I think he will be with us next season at least. Lets see how he does next season against some of the better defences. That is when he will prove his value. That is also when you will see the pressure building up to part with him.
Perhaps we should let NC know that Wenger and Ferguson are laughing at him, he wouldn't sell AOC for 20 million then. Don't diss the Don!
We wud be stupid to let him go for just 5mil up front, if we can get 10mil up front atleast tht would buy 3/4 championship/prem players without dipping into our own pockets
That's my point. 5 Million up front may be the going rate, but what good is that to us. If we were in League 1, we'd get a few decent players plus their wages for that kind of money, but not in the Championship. NC said all the prices for players went up in the last transfer window because of all the speculation about Alex and Arsenal; the same thing will happen now.
Much as I want to see Alex stay I am half expecting to see him leave next month. That said I can see Nicola digging in for the deal he wants and not accepting anything less. We don't need to sell and if we keep him here and he does as well as expected/hoped for, his price will go even higher. Win, win for us. Remember that we have him on contract still.
Media sources are talking about it like it's a done deal. I know the media is full of **** but the signs aren't good. Ah well, healthy windfall for us, all the best for Alex in the future, if it happens.
Firstly, he is under contract to us and will only go if the deal suits NC. I'm sure reading in the press that he will be going to Arsenal next month will irritate him greatly. Personally I think he will leave and 4 years down the line we will be thinking it was a good idea to have taken the money.
Interestingly, a previous Arsenal player (Stewart Robson) reckons Theo may not be at Arsenal much longer as they feel he hasn't progressed as much as they would have liked. Now there's a thought
They say the Premiership is worth £90M. What needs to be factored in to the final equation is two seasons with us could see us in the Premiership. Selling him now for £5M does not seem good business sense because £5M will buy you what? I wonder if its worth keeping him for two seasons and getting a crack at the £90M. The squad is quite strong as it is - need a good young CD and CM. We could get close to the play-offs with Oxo in the team at the end of this season. If however, someone comes along and offers £12M cash - I might take a different view. But £5M up front - I would not think its worth it. On the comment by Rabbo - I have to disagree - Theo was a promising striker - never a right winger - Wenger does not play him in his natrual position and his development has suffered.
I'd put money on him still being a Saints player next season. I'm not ITK, but I do know that the kid has his head screwed on and NC will only sell for big bucks, more than anyone in their right mind would pay for a League 1 player. Competive football at any level, particularly in England, is fast, physical and requires a great deal of physical and mental strength to get through a season. It's something you have to get used to if you want to be a good player. Theo left at the first opportunity. Bale didn't and the second half of the season will have helped him to realise his limitations before moving on. The defenders AOC has played against this season have been poor, so chances are he won't know his limitations fully. In fairness to him though, he has taken to the speed and physicality of the game very well. Theo still hasn't adjusted fully to it, unless that's more to do with being played out of position. AOC will be better off playing NPC football for next season at least to work out where he needs to improve his game before taking on the next level. He's also a very useful and valuable player for us.
Which supports my statement, some players can take a bit of punishment, Theo Walcott is not one of them.
I really would like him to stay to be honest, think a season in the championship would be great for his development!
Isn't there a ruling on how "contractual" contracts can actually be for those under 23? Regardless, it's the old adage for me; if a player wants out, let them go! As for the Walcott/Bale thing, I just don't see how they can be compared. Bale is hard as nails, fit as a butchers dog, has an eye for goal and can pick out superb crosses at will. Theo has not developed any of those skills beyond where they were when he was wearing the correct version of red and white.
Agree with this. At the moment I believe he is worth more to us than what we could realistically get for him.
Latest betting on AOC's club AFTER the summer transfer window 1/8 Arsenal 7/2 Man U 14/1 Liverpool 14/1 Man City 16/1 Chelsea 25/1 Barcelona 25/1 Spurs 25/1 Newcastle ???? If anyone thinks he is going to still be our player when the transfer window shuts,then get on to Skybet as you will get at least 25/1. Certainly more chance of being our player than Newcastle's thats for sure.
