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

[TeeCee]

Be intriguing to see if United do go for him how Wenger will react

It's obvious, Wanger will just say he didn't realise Cesc was for sale!!!

[g88ner]

Barca selling both Thiago and Fabregas this summer?

I can't see it happening.

Agreed. That would be ridiculous.

[Red Gunner]

I can't see Barcelona letting Cesc go. They've just lost Thiago and Xavi isn't getting any younger. There is talk of how unhappy Cesc is about his lack of playing time but only Victor Valdes had more league starts than Cesc last season so I don't see where these rumours are coming from. If he is available though, we must go for him. Seeing him move to United would hurt more than any other previous Arsenal player departures.

Cesc Fabregas targeted by Manchester United in £26m bid

Manchester United have made a €30m (£26m) bid for Barcelona's Cesc Fàbregas and are waiting to hear the Catalan club's response, as David Moyes intensifies his focus on strengthening his midfield.

The deal now hinges on whether Barcelona – who purchased the player from Arsenal for €29m in 2011 – are willing to sell. Any indication that they would consider doing so may force Fàbregas's hand as it would be clear that he is not considered central to the plans of Tito Villanova, the Barcelona coach.

Moyes has turned his attention to Fàbregas after missing out on Barcelona's Thiago Alcântara. The Spain Under-21 international opted instead to join his old manager Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich for £21.6m.

Last month, Fàbregas, the former Arsenal captain, said he wanted to stay at Barcelona. "I've always said that I'm happy at Barça. Whoever says that I'm leaving doesn't know me and has never spoken with me," he said. "Nor with my agent, because he knows that I don't want him to talk with other people about me.

"I'm very private and I don't even talk about these things with my family. If someone says anything that isn't that I want to play at Barca, it's completely absurd."

If Barcelona decided to accept United's bid or any further offer the midfielder could yet change his mind.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013 ... c-fabregas

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Looks like Williams is staying in Swansea or maybe they're just doing an Arsenal. Give him the armband and then sell him the next summer.

Ashley Williams has been made captain of Swansea in sign he could stay

Ashley Williams has been made captain of Swansea in a clear sign that he may stay at the club.

Williams has been linked with a move to Arsenal or Liverpool but today the long-serving Swansea defender Garry Monk has confirmed he is stepping down as team captain, with the armband being passed to his fellow centre-half.

Monk, who joined the Swans in 2004 and became skipper in 2006, made just 15 appearances last season.

The 34-year-old is to stay as club captain but the 28-year-old Williams – out of the side for only one Premier League game last term – will lead the team on the field now, even when the pair are playing together.

"It's a personal decision," said Monk. "The way I look at being a captain, you should consistently be on the pitch.

"Ash has been consistent on the pitch over a number of years. I've said a few times I've not played as much as I would have liked, but I've still contributed in a number of games. But, overall, I feel the team captain should be someone who is on there as a figure of continuity. Ash is that.

"He has worn the armband when I've not played, so I felt it was the right thing to do to let him lead the team out even when I was playing.

"Obviously, if the manager [Michael Laudrup] says anything different then we would listen to him. But I will remain as club captain. To have been captain of this team and club is one of my proudest achievements.

"My duties as club captain on the pitch, in the changing rooms and in the community will remain.

"Even when I haven't got the armband on when I'm playing, I'll still be a leader on the pitch."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013 ... ea-arsenal

[p206ab]

"It is understood that Moyes has also got his former Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini in his sights as a reserve option if he can’t persuade Barcelona to sell Fabregas."

Bring Cesc home!

[Ryanswannell]

Be intriguing to see if United do go for him how Wenger will react

It's obvious, Wanger will just say he didn't realise Cesc was for sale!!!

Nah, he would probably ring Moyes up and tell him he's better than he thinks

[augie]

Barca selling both Thiago and Fabregas this summer?

I can't see it happening.

Agreed. That would be ridiculous.

Agree with that but barca's need for defenders is well known and none of us know how much fundraising they will need to do before they can purchase again. Signing neymar would have taken a huge chunk out of the coffers and practically giving david villa away (another you missed eh wenger ) wont have done much to address that outlay. Most of me believes that barca wont sell cesc (yet) but there is a part of me that wonders if the club that is notorious for tapping up other clubs players through the media, is now using the media to hawk one of their own players - is it possible that they keep pushing these cesc bids into the media in a bid to drum up a bit of business and now that the fanfare and hoopla about re-signing cesc has died down and the fans are actually turning on him, should make it easier for the barca board to sell him

[Goose]

I'm really struggling to see the logic in this Suarez bid(s). I'd prefer the deal for Higuain to be completed, i think he will be a much better fit for us. Obviously Suarez is a great player but he comes with too much baggage, he's going to be banned for a few games next season and Liverpool are going to want top dollar for him. This isn't sitting right with me, even if it was a smokescreen to speed up the Higuain deal, I don't think we'll come out of it looking good.

I'm not panicking because there's a still many weeks of this window left, but the promising signs are starting to give way to that familiar feeling of bafflement we're used to.

With the amount of Quality players we have let go in recent years I think it is not unreasonable to expect our club to buy them both!
They won't of course as it would kill Gervinho

[markyp]

if united were to sign fabregas I think it would be the final kick in the nut sack for me,losing him was bad but at least it was to Barca but for united to stroll in and buy him would show just how small time we really are that he would be enticed back by united instead of us,not being able to keep your players is one thing but not being able to buy them back cos they think you're too crap for them is another,i just prey that Wenker would do everything to buy him back if possible.this summer is just getting worse and worse

[swimmer1]

Knowing him he would take the 50% option

[Top Londoner]

I'm really struggling to see the logic in this Suarez bid(s). I'd prefer the deal for Higuain to be completed, i think he will be a much better fit for us. Obviously Suarez is a great player but he comes with too much baggage, he's going to be banned for a few games next season and Liverpool are going to want top dollar for him. This isn't sitting right with me, even if it was a smokescreen to speed up the Higuain deal, I don't think we'll come out of it looking good.

I'm not panicking because there's a still many weeks of this window left, but the promising signs are starting to give way to that familiar feeling of bafflement we're used to.

With the amount of Quality players we have let go in recent years I think it is not unreasonable to expect our club to buy them both!
They won't of course as it would kill Gervinho

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/07/15/ ... nho/92182/

Roma struggling to agree a deal for forehead

[Top Londoner]

Feyenoord manager Ronald Koeman confirms the Dutch club want to sign Ryo Miyaichi.

“It’s right we are also working on Ryo Miyaichi, but at the moment it’s not clear what the situation is,” Koeman told NuSport. “After that, we can make a step. It’s not that far yet.”

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2013/ ... ld-koeman/

[augie]

Feyenoord manager Ronald Koeman confirms the Dutch club want to sign Ryo Miyaichi.

“It’s right we are also working on Ryo Miyaichi, but at the moment it’s not clear what the situation is,” Koeman told NuSport. “After that, we can make a step. It’s not that far yet.”

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2013/ ... ld-koeman/

Why does dickhead sign wingers and play strikers and centre midfielders out there rather than give the proper wingers an actual chance ? I doubt if overmars would have got the same opportunity to be great if he was signing for us now rather than in 1997

[nut flush gooner]

Why do I have a feeling that arsenal will duck their first refusal for fab, leaving him in no mans land if manure make an improved offer.

Once again, Arsenal could and I hope that this is true, could be inadvertantly strengthening manures side even further.

And why the fuck are we offering liverpool 35 million for suarez, hes on a ban for starters before we start talking about how much of a cock he is.

[storrmin571]

Buy back or 50% of any future fee. Mmmm I think we will take the money.

[Red Gunner]

Ivan Gazidis's office. Ivan is inside booking a flight to Dubai using his Emirates staff discount card. There is a knock at the door:

Ivan: "Come in."

Arsène: "Errr... hello Ivan."

Ivan: "Ah, Arsène, thanks for popping 'round. Please, take a seat."

(Arsène sits down)

Ivan: "Enjoying the sun?"

Arsène: "So, so."

Ivan: "Indeed. Anyway... I have some bad news. Real Madrid called on Saturday night and it's a no-go on Higuaín sadly. They ain't selling."

Arsène: "Oh dear."

Ivan: "Oh dear indeed."

(The two men start laughing)

Ivan: "Phew hey! Imagine us paying that much for a player. I mean, the wages alone."

Arsène: "It would have been crazy Ivan. With that much money I can buy 23 French teenagers and a couple of African ones too."

Ivan: "More Arsène, more. I've been told about a dozen nine-year-olds from Mozambique who are absolutely terrific and would cost no more than a few pennies each."

(Arsène pulls his wallet out of his pocket and flicks through the contents): "Hmmm... yes I can afford that."

Ivan: "WE can afford that Arsène, WE."

(Arsène smiles): "Yes Ivan, WE."

Ivan: "Anyway, we've dodged a bullet there, but the fans are still grumbling. They want a big signing... or at least for us to try and make a big signing."

(Arsène sighs)

Ivan: "I know how you feel about this Arsène but you have to understand it from their point of view. I mean... it's been eight years since Arsenal won a -"

Arsène: "We qualify for the Champions League every season Ivan!"

Ivan: "I know Arsène, I know. And the board are very grateful. But we have to listen to the fans. Or at least pretend to listen to them."

Arsène: "Yes, yes."

Ivan: "Don't panic - I have a plan. I'm going to call Liverpool up again and tell them we want to improve our bid for Luis Suárez."

Arsène: "Ivan, no. I've told you already, I don't want that madman anywhere near here. He'll try and eat the players."

Ivan: "Relax Arsène, I know what I'm doing. I'm going to increase our bid to £35m – there's no way Liverpool will accept that. But the fans will be happy because they'll think we're serious about spending lots of money, signing big players, and meanwhile we can concentrate on the kids. You know, the ones from Mozambique I was telling you about."

Arsène: "OK Ivan, if you think that will work, let's do it. But we mustn't go up to £40m. We cannot risk Liverpool saying yes."

Ivan: "Don't worry Arsène, we won't. £35m and then we stop."

Arsène: "OK."

Ivan: "Excellent. Don't mean to be rude Arsène, but I'm kind of in the middle of something here."

Arsène: "Oh, sorry. I'll go."

Ivan: "Great. Shut the door on the way out will you."

(Arsène stands up and leaves the room)

FIN

(Source - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013 ... ez-arsenal)