For the reported fee it feels like a no brainer. Market opportunity. Loan +Ob if we're penny pinching.
Id say theyre hiding the money from Arteta, the man will try and buy another defensive player if he finds out. Hence the weird answers to the questions.
This is an absolute disgrace, it’s looking more and more apparent that we literally have had 0 plan and 0 preparation in the market. The only thing which would have warranted this would have been a couple big signings like Maddison and Martinez but even that would have been poor in terms of transfer market planning (and would have just meant they had money to spend).
Currently, Arsenal’s transfer window has the whiff of unfinished business.
Fans entered the window hoping for a substantial overhaul of the squad — and that ambition was reflected among Arsenal’s technical staff. There was hope that, if buyers could be found for certain players, there might be a feeling of revolution at London Colney.
That, however, has proved to be a considerable-sized “if”. The club have experienced difficulty moving on Granit Xhaka, Hector Bellerin and Alexandre Lacazette. After a strong start to the window, in which they signed three young talents — Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and £50 million acquisition Ben White — there is a sense that momentum has stalled.
There is, though, still some way to go. Arsenal have believed throughout this window that their business would essentially be conducted in two phases: there were certain targets who could be secured relatively early in the summer, others that they might need to wait for. “In this first period of the transfer window, I think we’ve done a few things that we wanted to do,” manager Mikel Arteta admitted in Thursday’s press conference. “There is still window to go so I’m sure things will happen either way … It’s how deals develop and sometimes what’s not possible to do on 12 August, it’s possible to do on the last day.”
The most pressing priority is the need for a second goalkeeper. The number one target throughout the summer has been Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale. Arteta and his coaching staff believed that Ramsdale could not only provide back-up to Bernd Leno for the forthcoming season, but succeed him next summer. They admired his distribution, both with the ball in his hands and at his feet, and his bravery coming off his line for crosses — areas in which doubts over Leno persist.
Negotiations have been ongoing since the end of last season, but without much success. The clubs met at the Sopwell House hotel close to Arsenal’s training ground on Wednesday, hoping to find some common ground. Arsenal hoped Sheffield United’s willingness to meet in person indicated there would be some movement on their £35 million asking price. When Arsenal’s improved verbal offer of £20 million plus considerable add-ons was rejected out of hand, Arsenal decided to pursue other targets. Any slim hope of the deal being revived would be dependent on Sheffield United dramatically revising their position.
Arsenal aren’t willing to pay Sheffield United’s valuation of Ramsdale (Photo: Gareth Copley/PA Images via Getty Images)
And so Arsenal will now look elsewhere. While Ramsdale was envisaged as a future No 1, their intention now is to secure a player regarded solely as a back-up, at a considerably lower fee — or even potentially on loan.
A few weeks ago, Arsenal staff made discreet enquiries about the availability of West Brom’s Sam Johnstone. It is unlikely, however, that they will follow up with formal interest. Johnstone does not fit the profile of goalkeeper they are looking for, and as a member of the England squad would still command a significant fee, with West Brom demanding more than £10 million.
The Athletic understands that Barcelona’s 32-year-old goalkeeper Neto is a target. The Brazilian moved to the Nou Camp from Valencia for an initial €26 million in 2019, but has made just nine La Liga appearances in his time there. Even having shed Lionel Messi, Barcelona are still working to reduce their wage bill, with president Joan Laporta admitting the club may have to sell more players in this window. In the case of Neto, who has two years remaining on his current contract, Arsenal may even be hopeful of striking a loan agreement.
Neto is represented by Kia Joorabchian, who Arsenal have also collaborated with on the signings of David Luiz, Cedric and Willian. The close relationship that exists between Joorabchian and technical director Edu could make a move for Neto expedient. Crucially, this would not be a deal driven purely by relationships — Neto has also been closely assessed by Arsenal’s analysts, and there is a consensus that this could be a sensible solution to a relatively urgent problem.
The other major area of concern is attacking midfield. Arsenal have tied Emile Smith Rowe down to a new long-term contract, but still look light in this area. Since last season, they have effectively lost the on-loan Martin Ødegaard, with a replacement yet to arrive. The club have also accepted an offer for Joe Willock, who has agreed personal terms over a permanent move to Newcastle.
It leaves the club looking for creative reinforcement. Although both Real Madrid and Ødegaard have spoken of the player as an important part of plans at the Bernabeu, Arsenal are yet to give up on signing the man who began the summer as their number one target. It was Ødegaard’s insistence on playing regular first-team football that made a loan deal possible in January — and Arsenal still feel that, if they are to land their man, it will require him to push for the move.
The remaining weeks of the window will be critical. La Liga begins this weekend, and Ødegaard should quickly get an indication of where he ranks in Carlo Ancelotti’s pecking order. If he is unconvinced of his place in the plans, he may become available again — and Arsenal are clear that they are prepared to do what is necessary to sign him.
The familiar name of Houssem Aouar is once more being discussed behind closed doors at Arsenal. Despite lengthy talks last summer, Arsenal failed to agree a price with Lyon, instead turning to Thomas Partey. When January came around, Arsenal’s interest had waned, due to concerns raised in their scouting and background checks.
The economic situation currently afflicting French football, however, presents an opportunity. Even if some at the club harbour concerns over Aouar, there is a growing acceptance that at around €25 million, he would represent an excellent market opportunity. Arsenal are even believed to have enquired about the possibility of taking him on loan.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for James Maddison, but while the player does have admirers within the club, The Athletic understands he is not someone Arsenal are seriously pursuing at this time. Intermediaries are believed to be keen to ‘match-make’ Arsenal with Maddison, given the club’s obvious need for a creative midfielder. So far, however, the club do not appear ready to take the bait.
Aouar might be available for cheaper this summer (Photo: IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
It has been reported that the cost of the deal would be prohibitive, and while there are other factors at play, there is some truth in that. The contract Maddison signed with Leicester last year was reported by David Ornstein to be worth £110,000 per week. After a blockbuster move to a ‘big six’ club, he would most likely expect a significant uplift. While Arsenal agreed a £50 million fee for White, his salary is understood to be relatively modest. Ramsdale too would not have been a particularly high earner. While Arsenal’s owners are prepared to support Arteta with substantial transfer fees, there has been a definite attempt to balance the wage bill.
There is a list of creative targets beyond Ødegaard and Aouar, but Arsenal will be reluctant to turn to them, unless perhaps the season gets off to a particularly bad start.
While goalkeeper and attacking midfield are perhaps Arsenal’s priorities, they had hoped to make additions in other areas. Plans in central midfield have been altered by the fact that Xhaka is now staying, and set to sign a new contract. At right-back, they can currently choose from four players: Calum Chambers, Bellerin, Cedric and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Adding a fifth would leave the squad lop-sided and imbalanced.
Bellerin finds himself in a catch-22: Arteta does not want to lose him without a replacement, but Arsenal can only replace him if a buyer comes to the fore. Talk of a new contract is premature — for now, Bellerin’s preference remains to embrace a new challenge.
And then there’s the striker situation. Arsenal (and Tottenham) were enthused about the prospect of a deal for Lautaro Martinez, but Inter’s decision to instead sell Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea appears to have put paid to those ambitions. There is also interest in Tammy Abraham, who is currently the subject of an approach from Roma.
Again, Arsenal find themselves in a bind. They would like to add a forward, but only if they can find a taker for Lacazette. Roma themselves showed substantial interest in Lacazette last summer, and there have been some suggestions Arsenal may attempt to persuade the Italian club to opt for the Frenchman instead. That would, in turn, free Abraham up for them. These are the moving parts that will make these final few weeks of the window potentially so enthralling.
There’s a way to go yet. It is almost, as Arteta suggests, “another window”. Arsenal still require significant activity for their transfer business to avoid looking like a job half-done.
My good friend James McNicholas.
- Can't find takers for Xhaka, Bellerin, Lacazette
- Now looking for cheap number 2, will consider loan deals
- Looked at Sam Johnstone, won't be pursuing
- Neto from Barca is still an option
- Ødegaard still #1 target
- Auoar still an option but club have reservations after prolonged scouting reports and background checks
- Arsenal want Tammy but can't until Lacazette goes, might offer the latter to Roma
- Maddison has some admirers but Arsenal not pursuing, rather it's intermediaries trying to match make him and Arsenal
They will never accept a loan with an option to buy. The guy has 2 years in contract.
Alot of people who watch Lyon say he put effort once every 5 games seems he not performing week in week out that why clubs maybe staying away.
Yeah something like that would be a win/win for us. Basically low risk with a very good upside if he works out but I don't know why Lyon would go for it, are they that desperate?
This is why I said in another thread that I don’t take Artetas words from today’s press conference seriously. The man told us ( Edu also said it ) that they knew what was needing done this summer and those areas would be addressed. They “ have a plan in place “ was the line they used.
Only problem I see is that will Arteta use 4-3-3? Has there been signs for it?
Sambi?
Clearly there are some doubts or a club surely would have picked him up already and we would be complaining about it.
