SUMMER TRANSFERS - Your thoughts on who did and did not sign

[Red Gunner]

Barcelona need cash from Cesc Fabregas sale to Manchester United

Barcelona are willing to sell Cesc Fábregas to Manchester United because the Spanish champions need the money, according to a highly placed source in Spain.

While United have yet to hear back from Barcelona regarding their £26m bid, the club believe that Fábregas wants to leave the Camp Nou owing to a number of factors that have made the midfielder discontented since joining from Arsenal in the summer of 2011.

The arrival of the Brazil's Neymar in a £50m transfer from Santos in the close season has pushed Fábregas further down the pecking order of attacking players headed by Lionel Messi, the world footballer of the year, and which also includes Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Pedro and Sergi Roberto. Fábregas is also believed to be unhappy at not being played in his preferred position regularly by Tito Vilanova, the coach, and there is a sense at United that as Fábregas was signed by Pep Guardiola and so was not the choice of Vilanova, the 26-year-old will continue to struggle to play in Barcelona's biggest games.

Asked about United's bid for Fábregas, Vilanova said: "It's good for your players to receive offers. I spoke to him and he told me he wanted to stay here and that he didn't want to go to another club, even though here he's competing with Xavi, and Sergi Roberto. He wants to succeed here. I'm happy about that."

Despite Vilanova's comments, Fábregas's position is that were Barcelona to signal they are willing to sell him then, according to the player's camp, he would recognise a need to give serious consideration to his long-term future.

United are prepared to be patient over their pursuit of a player coveted by David Moyes, the manager, and may increase their bid.

While it is thought that an offer of £35m would seriously test the Catalan club's resolve, the source said: "Barcelona are willing to sell because they need the money."

The club have financed a massive spend over the past two seasons. In the summer of 2011 there was a £50m-plus combined outlay on Fábregas and Alexis Sánchez, the Chilean who has also struggled to feature regularly under Vilanova, while Neymar's £50m move was preceded by Messi signing a £17m a-year, five-season contract in February, at a total cost of £85m.

David Villa has been removed from the books following his move to Atlético Madrid earlier this month, with Barcelona also hoping to off-load Ibrahim Afellay, the Dutch winger, who is reportedly a target for Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

David de Gea, the Manchester United goalkeeper and Fábregas's Spanish countryman, would welcome his arrival at Old Trafford. "It would be great if Cesc came here," he said. "It would be great to have more Spanish players at Manchester United. He is a great player, very skilful, knows how to win things and you always want those type of players in your team."

While Barcelona have yet to make any statement regarding their stance on United's offer, Arsenal retain a first buyback option on Fábregas but this is nullified if he does not want to return to the Emirates Stadium, which appears likely. The midfielder is motivated by winning trophies and playing at the highest level. Arsenal's eight seasons without silverware will not fill him with confidence.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013 ... ter-united

[augie]

Gourcouff and Gervinho swap deal mooted by arsenalstation.com

http://www.arsenalstation.com/2013/07/1 ... swap-deal/

Two slight concerns with this possible deal -

1. Cannot ignore gourcuff''s recent injury woes

2. He would be fulfilling a need that isn't really there - to my mind he is a great footballer in the kaka mould but imo unless he can play as a striker, as a goalkeeper or as that tough ball winning DM then he wouldn't be a priority

Of course on the plus side we would be getting shot of the forehead

[Top Londoner]

The Bastia - via a note on their official website - today announced it has reached an agreement with defender Sébastien Squillaci, recently free transfer from Arsenal. Pass the medical examinations, has signed for one season with an option for a second year. 32 years old, was at Arsenal since 2010.

[markyp]

swapping gourcouf for gervinho would be a great deal,he is a player of quality,and to get shot of gervinho in the process would be awesome,i know an attacking midfielder is not a priority but he can player behind a striker too.with some of the comediens weve had to put up with in recent years gourcouf would be a breath of fresh air,please let this happen!!!

[kiwomya]

Gourcuff has had injuries and stuff but certainly worth a punt over Gervinho. Is he versatile enough for Wenger though?!

[donaldo]

Gourcouff and Gervinho swap deal mooted by arsenalstation.com

http://www.arsenalstation.com/2013/07/1 ... swap-deal/

Two slight concerns with this possible deal -

1. Cannot ignore gourcuff''s recent injury woes

2. He would be fulfilling a need that isn't really there - to my mind he is a great footballer in the kaka mould but imo unless he can play as a striker, as a goalkeeper or as that tough ball winning DM then he wouldn't be a priority

Of course on the plus side we would be getting shot of the forehead

This is a no-brainer.Roma want to take Forehead off our hands for good.I dont want him going to Lyon being his usual shite self then coming back next summer.I would give him a free to Roma let alone ask them to pay us.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... f-too.html

[swimmer1]

Hope there is no truth behind this load of crap - Marca have reported Santi Cazorla has agreed terms with Athletico Madrid and now the two clubs are talking about a fee .

That would really be the end .

[arseofacrow]

Hope there is no truth behind this load of crap - Marca have reported Santi Cazorla has agreed terms with Athletico Madrid and now the two clubs are talking about a fee .

That would really be the end .

Maybe that mean that Fabregas really is coming back

[rodders999]

£16.5 million for Santi????? LOL

Not even The 3 Stooges - Turnip, Stanley and Gazidis, would swallow that one. Proper BS.

[begeegs]

I don't really agree he's been poorly treated. Cried they weren't signing good enough players, then cried because they signed one much better than him. Last year they cantered to the title, were well on course to knock Madrid out until some dubious reffing and threw away FA Cup quarter-final - not as though Rooney's role wasn't vindicated.

Bloke clearly has some issues with fitness and work ethic if reports are to be believed. Miles miles miles better than anything we have but don't for a minute think we'd get anything like his best consistently.

I think that this is a bit unfair. He has been shunted around the pitch to accommodate other players. They weren't going to sign RVP and not play him and that was unfair to him as he scored 27 goals in the Prem the previous year. The year before it was a question of would he be the best midfielder, etc. etc, so he must be wondering - what the hell do I have to do? He scores goals and is a playmaker. When he is on the pitch, he sure as hell isn't lazy.

I think that Fergie didn't really handle Rooney very well and Moyes certainly won't either.

That being said I'd have any of the 3 strikers - Rooney, Suarez and Higuain. I'm not picky as all of them are world class.

[rigsby]

Well Napoli have confirmed their interest in Higuain. With the financial clout they have now with the Cavani sale you would think he'll probably end up there.

No way is Santi going. What the hell kind of a rumour is that?!

[donaldo]

The voice of Real Madrid Marca

http://www.marca.com/2013/07/15/en/foot ... 02943.html

Sell Higuain to Napoli for 30m euros then buy Suarez for 50m euros thats how to do it.And we get no one

[Top Londoner]

Well Napoli have confirmed their interest in Higuain. With the financial clout they have now with the Cavani sale you would think he'll probably end up there.

No way is Santi going. What the hell kind of a rumour is that?!

As bollix as every other rumour regarding Afc during this window.

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

SSN, Man U just turned down a bid for Wayne Rooney from chelski.

[northbank123]

I don't really agree he's been poorly treated. Cried they weren't signing good enough players, then cried because they signed one much better than him. Last year they cantered to the title, were well on course to knock Madrid out until some dubious reffing and threw away FA Cup quarter-final - not as though Rooney's role wasn't vindicated.

Bloke clearly has some issues with fitness and work ethic if reports are to be believed. Miles miles miles better than anything we have but don't for a minute think we'd get anything like his best consistently.

I think that this is a bit unfair. He has been shunted around the pitch to accommodate other players. They weren't going to sign RVP and not play him and that was unfair to him as he scored 27 goals in the Prem the previous year. The year before it was a question of would he be the best midfielder, etc. etc, so he must be wondering - what the hell do I have to do? He scores goals and is a playmaker. When he is on the pitch, he sure as hell isn't lazy.

I think that Fergie didn't really handle Rooney very well and Moyes certainly won't either.

That being said I'd have any of the 3 strikers - Rooney, Suarez and Higuain. I'm not picky as all of them are world class.

I do see where his frustration is coming from - but as I see it the bloke wants to be part of a successful side but only if he is the main man.

Media are reporting Chelsea have offered £10m plus either Luiz or Mata The fact they can't nail it down to one player suggests it's not that near the mark but I have to say if I was Dai Moyes and I was offered Mata plus cash for Rooney I would have to think very hard before knocking them back - are they going to get a better offer than that?