I'm thinking about having a cheeky wager on Arsenal signing Berba in Jan - a tempting 14/1. However there is small print that the signing happens in the Jan window and loan deals don't count. If he doesn't leave in Jan then you lose the bet. His contract ends at the end of the season. Does anyone think we would we loan him out to get his wages of our books, then release him at the end of the season? Surely we'd want a token gesture of a couple of million? FYI - Spurs are favourites to sign him at 7/2. Note, I'm still undecided if I want him to leave. He could still be our season savior!
Man U currently subsidise his salary as well. Not sure how that affects the deal. I'd have a tenner on him going. Not sure he'd go back to Spurs though. He's certainly upped his game this month as the shop window opened!
I'd want to see a replacement (or even two!) of similar quality come in before we even contemplate getting rid of him in January.
Cheers for input I've had a speculative fiver. Will be returning and putting next months rent on if I hear Giroud has had a slip in training! Agree about replacements required. I can't see Bent fitting in or staying for the long term. I'm sure Rene briefed his scouts the moment Berba's agent started mouthing off about a Jan transfer. I'm still hoping for Danny ings or an unknown quality surprise!
What Bidley said. We need to bring in (or promote from youth, if they're ready) a striker or two before we can think about letting Berba leave in January.
Yes, that. I'm not reading too much into Berbatov's mini-revival of form; I suspect it's really only a ploy to find a team, but without an adequate replacement, there's no reason to see him off. Rumors are that Dempsey might be heading back this way, but even at his best, I can't see Dempsey as a direct one-for-one replacement for Berbs.
That fiver is looking a wee bit dodgy, Bobby. "Meulensteen has a good relationship with Berbatov from his time working as coach at Old Trafford, and the Dutchman remains confident of keeping his talisman in SW6. He said: “We know each other quite well, which makes a difference. I’m not a stranger to him and he knows the outlook I have on playing football, which I think he buys into." “We’ve spent a lot of time together on the training pitch and you strike up a different sort of relationship with a coach than you do as a manager. If you’re a coach you’re easier to speak to, where as managers are the ones making the decisions." “I’ve had a chat with him and I know he’s committed to this club and the games we have in front of us. Looking at the performances he’s been excellent for us.” Source: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/spor...ensteen-winning-battle-over-berbatovs-6436761
I stand by what I said, that Berba's better form has much more to do with us playing a system based around him rather than whatever Jol was trying to do. Fast wingers (Kaca/Dejagah) and a forward thinking CM like Karagounis: it brought the best out of Berba last year and it looks like it could do the same again.
I'm not convinced by Berbatovs return to form, how long before it dips again when he feels like it ? Sorry but I can't pander to players who play when they want too, only top clubs who can afford it can take these type of players, and drop them when they throw a wobbly, just like Fergie did with him. I believe Berbatov let Jol down badly, by not putting in total effort, some so called friend he was of Jol who tried to keep faith with Berbatov, to his own detriment. The only reason I see Berbatov wanting to stay is a selfish one, that his wife just had a child and doesn't want to move at this time.
I don't think it's fair to single Berbatov out. I don't think many players were giving it their all when Jol was in charge (for whatever reason). And sure enough, as soon as he goes, they all start playing well, not just Berbatov. I think you could apply most of what you said above to a fair amount of the senior playing squad.
Berba is into 9/2 to move to Arsenal in the Jan transfer window. My speculative £5 at 14/1 could be a good bet after all according to the back page of tomorrow's Daily Mail: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will consider signing Dimitar Berbatov when the January transfer window opens. Wenger has decided he should sign a new striker to boost Arsenal’s title hopes and Champions League campaign in the second half of the season. But Wenger is wary of spending big money in January or indeed upsetting the balance of his squad with a big name acquisition. Suddenly Berbatov is on the radar. Although the 32-year-old Bulgarian has had a dismal season, scoring just one Premier League goal at struggling Fulham, he remains on his day a sublime finisher and the sort of player who could slot straight into Arsenal’s style of play. With just six months left on his contract Arsenal could get him for free or a minimal fee and on a short-term deal. The move to a bigger stage may in turn inspire the former Manchester United and Tottenham player to produce top form rather than walk around in an 'overcoat and cigar' - as was an accusation recently levelled at him. Fulham’s new boss Rene Meulensteen has made it clear he will not stand in Berbatov’s way and Arsenal are one of the clubs who the Bulgarian’s agent will contact. Clubs in Turkey and Germany will also be interested.
You sure that's tomorrows paper? Either they just re-used an old article or haven't checked the stats. Berba has 4 PL goals.
You could be right Ireland. I perked up at the end of MOTD when they showed the back pages of the tabloids - I could have sworn it was the Mail, then searched and found that article. However, I think it must be the Sun spinning the story. The headline "Dimiarsenal" is on the front cover above a dodgy Charles Saatchi story! I'm not reading much into this as you can still get a bet on him going there. I think the Bentner injury just spurred it on. I'm still hoping he stays!
I would like him to stay till the end if the season at least. But it was depressing watching him the last 20 mins. I put it down to bad weather and fitness. Ruiz and Bent prob are both goners.
Surly makes a really valid point on Berta's run of form being linked to attacking pace and a decent ball player. If we could get a younger Murphy/Karagounis player in then this would only improve berba's form more. He is the best footballer we have in our team, yes he is temperamental but he is truly gifted and we have to exploit that. Getting rid of him would be mad, we need to keep him and get another striker in. I can only assume that the papers suggesting he is off the arsenal is just that, paper talk, or we have a pretty decent replacement in place already. Bent has to be sent back as he has been awful. Dempsey and Tarrabt could play up top but surely this would only be temporary.
It was the Sun that started the story Bobby but it's all over the place now and especially with Bendtner getting injured. They reckon a cheeky £2m bid!! Shades of Schwarzer?
This definitely has that Schwarzer feel about it C58 - the timing, insignificant offer, almost out of contract. Now we'll wait for ages for them to put in 2 silly offers, Wenger will deny being interested, Berbs will stay and have a mega-sulk until the end of the season!
Hmm, it seems Berba thinks he's off to Arsenal, he just posted this to his picture official Facebook page:
Hmmm that doesn't make much sense. He could get into lots of trouble if the deal hasn't already gone through. Plus I'm wondering if he has the technical ability to create a professional looking image with font. I can't imagine him having time to learn Adobe Acrobat! Maybe he saw it on another site and foolishly copied and posted it to his FB page. I'm gutted if it's true and he's actually going. Even more gutted as Ladbrokes were going 4/1 on him leaving for Arsenal this afternoon - I toyed with having a big bet, but thought it was too good to be true. He's now about Even money with a few bookies. Wish I had more confidence last month and put more than £5 on at 14/1. On the plus side, we might get Vermaelen as part of the deal as he seems to have fallen out of favour with Wenger. Wouldn't mind Arteta or Bentner as well!
I would not want Bendtner under any circumstances. Vermaelen or Arteta would be good additions, although I doubt Arteta is going anywhere.
