TBH though, it all depends on how any fee is structured. A £12 million deal would most likely only involve £3-5 million up front, with the rest on the never never. You can't even get a half decent player for £3 million in the championship, let alone the four or five the side needs. I still think he'll be sold this summer though. If he isn't then his dad could become seriously disruptive, and there is no knowing how Alex will react. I mean, when was the last time you had the big clubs circling a player and they didn't get their man?
I imagine one of the main reasons Chambo hasn't been sold to one of the big clubs yet is Cortese's firm stance that the deal should be paid upfront. I can't see him as the sort of guy willing to accept half the money with the rest on appearances. It's a matter of time before the big clubs say "**** it" and pay the beastly sum upfront.
Personally though, I I was an Arsenal fan and saw we were about to be shelling out £12 million on Oxlade-Chamberlain, i'd be pulling my hair out. Why don't they just go offer £12 million for Samba? 'Cos based on last season they need him more than AOC.
He'll probably go. Big money beckons and we'll be seeing more stories from the rags and comments from his dad unstettling the lad.
Then we must hope they wind NC up to total intransigence. I'm not stalking you by the way, Wisescummer.
Maybe it was the fact I was told I was getting a contract in January, only to get injured in the last week of November and then not return for over 12 months.....
Personally I would say other than an acquisition I cannot see that Arsenal would have the need for Oxo. They have Walcott and the other guy that alternates with Walcott. So plenty of cover as I say other than just another acquisition why would they want him?
Can't see them paying the kind of money we'd want when they are trying to rebuild their whole team. Just hope we don't have to accept instalments because Alex wants out. We always think NC is tough, but he is probably a realist as well. Getting depressed now. Still Murray might win Wimbledon....anyone got a gun?
They need plenty of people more than they do Chamberlain. I think, as does an Arsenal fan I know, that the money would be better spent on somebody like Eden Hazard. Ooh hello, somebody thinks they're Mr Important.
He could break his leg wherever he's playing football (presuming he's actually playing).As could any other player worth a lot. It's not a reason to sell him straight off. He's played a season in league one and survived it, being wrapped in cotton wool in someone's reserves will only turn him soft. Cortese won't have factored getting a big lump for AOC into his plans when he arrived at the club. Its not like we need any amount that we might realistically get to fund our plans. I fully support Cortese not wanting to sell him. If our hands are tied, we get top dollar, if not we keep a really good player who might get us promoted. Its the best thing all-round for us.
If I was Alex, I would look at the tremendous job Wenger has done on halting Theo's development, and think very hard before going to Arsenal!! Stay wiyh us Alex, develop into the player you can be, and then see what happens - who knows in the Premiership with Saints in 2 years!!
You also have to look at it in Alex's perspective aswell, He doesn't support southampton. He doesn't have the same passion for the club we do. If we were in his position and a team like Arsenal or United, some of the biggest clubs in the world came knocking for us you'd take the opportunity up straight away, The kids already got stars in his eyes. And people are acting as if we dont need the money. Cortese has always said this was going to be a stable club, he cant just put money in all the time, he has to generate it. And seeing as we lost money last season he's going to want to generate money this season. If the offers in Instalments tell arsenal to shove it. But 12m lump sum upfront is an amazing deal for the lad. And its not like we cant find a replacement, there are many wingers out there who are better than him and a hell of alot cheaper aswell. If im honest i would of preferred the Obertan, wes brown and 3m swap for him, As i think both players would be amazing in the championship. Imagine a wes brown Fonte partnership. Hes won a Championsleaque for Christ sake!
Yes, if we get £12 million up front i'd sell him as well. Problem is we wont get £12 million up front. It will be £3-5 million max up front and the rest on the never never. And I can't think of a player as good as AOC is at the moment who would be available for £3 million (especially if every club thinks were minted as it is and now have another 12 million to blow). In this market £3 million get you Jack **** (currently playing for Scunthorpe). And we don't just need to replace AOC, we need another 4-5 players if we want to really challenge next season. Sell AOC for a reputed £12 million and their transfer fee's suddenly double. As for the United swap deal, Obertan is rubbish, nowhere near as good as AOC, and wouldn't drop a division (reckon he'd head back to France). As for Wes Brown, we couldn't afford his wages (50K per week), and he has premier league sides interested.
If he has a passion for football, he'll give 100% for whoever he's contracted to. By throwing his toys out of the pram, he'd only be harming his own prospects and unlike previous seasons we could afford to let him do that. We let Puncheon rot in the reserves before we found someone to take him after all. Chamberlain has a far more grounded attitude and its not like the Championship is beneath him. If anything, reserve football is now that he's an established first team player. Unless he goes out on loan straight away to someone like Bolton, it's not a step up.
Alright, you know best because your better at football than me. Personally I'd say that has more to do with natural talent, but whatever, you're the boss.
