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

[Red Gunner]

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain is a key target for Napoli

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain is a key target for Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis as he prepares to reinvest the funds generated by Edinson Cavani's sale to Paris St Germain.

De Laurentiis, who on Tuesday night expressed his disappointment Uruguayan striker Cavani had opted to leave Italy, tempered the news by revealing he has now made 124.5million euros (£108m) available to new coach Rafael Benitez in the current transfer window.

Cavani moved to the Parc des Princes for 64.5m euros (£56m) and a chunk of that fee could now be paid to Real for their wantaway Argentinian forward Higuain, who has also been linked with Premier League club Arsenal.

Quoted in La Repubblica Sport, De Laurentiis admitted in a question and answer session with fans on his official Twitter account that he is pursuing Higuain, his Madrid team-mate Raul Albiol and Internacional striker Leandro Damiao.

He said: "It's true that we're negotiating for Gonzalo Higuain and Leandro Damiao.

"The money we got for Cavani was 64.5mil and added to the 60mil we had set aside for the transfer budget there will be 124.5mil to carefully invest on Napoli.

"There are various names on the table, we're assessing the situation.

"(Albiol) is undergoing medical tests and we hope he passes them."

Napoli have already signed Belgian winger Dries Mertens from PSV Eindhoven and Real striker Jose Callejon as Benitez plots another Serie A title challenge, after the Partenopei finished second to Juventus under Walter Mazzarri last season.

The Bianconeri have not been resting on their laurels, however, adding prolific duo Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente to their frontline in recent weeks.

"Is there an area of the team where we're better than Juventus?" De Laurentiis added. "It's too early to tell.

"Are we targeting the Scudetto or a Champions League semi-final? We're always aiming for the maximum and we'll be competitive both in Italy and in Europe.

"Benitez was an excellent appointment and the new boys are settling in."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... for-Napoli

[franksav63]

Wenger really is a fucking dithering old *word censored*!

[markyp]

A few weeks ago, I doubt there were many of us who didn't have genuine high hopes for this transfer window, such was the unprecedented gesturing of the club regarding transfers.
If things go the way they now seem to be going, then this would turn out to be the most disappointing window ever. It would be difficult to see how Wenger and co could bullshit themselves out of this one, surely every last bit of hope that was held by anyone who was undecided on Wenger would be erased.
He will however, have signed his new multi-million pound contract by then and we will be left with a feeling of total dejection.

100% agree,its impossible not too but the saddest and most pathetic thing of all is that the AKB's will still side with Wenker when he spouts the usual BS about nobody of any quality being available and not having the money to compete and we aren't that far behind utd with our current squad,its fucking sickening,surely surely if this happens then it really is time to start an uprising even at home games,WENKER OUT,FFS

[swimmer1]

Wenger really is a fucking dithering old *word censored*!

I agree but think Real have fucked us about with Higuain don't think Arsenal and Real have the best relationship

[Red Gunner]

Pham Thanh Luong, anyone?

"Vietnam have qualities and I think they suffered a little bit defensively against our pace up front. Overall in midfield I felt Vietnam played very well. The captain [Pham Thanh Luong] impressed me." - Arsene Wenger

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... -and-goals

He's only 23 and has plenty of international experience (35 caps)

[g88ner]

Pham Thanh Luong, anyone?

"Vietnam have qualities and I think they suffered a little bit defensively against our pace up front. Overall in midfield I felt Vietnam played very well. The captain [Pham Thanh Luong] impressed me." - Arsene Wenger

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... -and-goals

He's only 23 and has plenty of international experience (35 caps)

We should get it sorted before Napoli come along

[swimmer1]

Manchester United say [executive vice chairman] Ed Woodward's return from United's Australia tour to handle transfer negotiations has nothing to do with Wayne Rooney. It is to do with something else.

Cesc I bet

It's getting bad to worse

[SteveO 35]

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain is a key target for Napoli

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain is a key target for Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis as he prepares to reinvest the funds generated by Edinson Cavani's sale to Paris St Germain.

De Laurentiis, who on Tuesday night expressed his disappointment Uruguayan striker Cavani had opted to leave Italy, tempered the news by revealing he has now made 124.5million euros (£108m) available to new coach Rafael Benitez in the current transfer window.

Cavani moved to the Parc des Princes for 64.5m euros (£56m) and a chunk of that fee could now be paid to Real for their wantaway Argentinian forward Higuain, who has also been linked with Premier League club Arsenal.

Quoted in La Repubblica Sport, De Laurentiis admitted in a question and answer session with fans on his official Twitter account that he is pursuing Higuain, his Madrid team-mate Raul Albiol and Internacional striker Leandro Damiao.

He said: "It's true that we're negotiating for Gonzalo Higuain and Leandro Damiao.

"The money we got for Cavani was 64.5mil and added to the 60mil we had set aside for the transfer budget there will be 124.5mil to carefully invest on Napoli.

"There are various names on the table, we're assessing the situation.

"(Albiol) is undergoing medical tests and we hope he passes them."

Napoli have already signed Belgian winger Dries Mertens from PSV Eindhoven and Real striker Jose Callejon as Benitez plots another Serie A title challenge, after the Partenopei finished second to Juventus under Walter Mazzarri last season.

The Bianconeri have not been resting on their laurels, however, adding prolific duo Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente to their frontline in recent weeks.

"Is there an area of the team where we're better than Juventus?" De Laurentiis added. "It's too early to tell.

"Are we targeting the Scudetto or a Champions League semi-final? We're always aiming for the maximum and we'll be competitive both in Italy and in Europe.

"Benitez was an excellent appointment and the new boys are settling in."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... for-Napoli

How do all the 'done deal' boys feel about this one now eh ?

Higgy isn't coming
Rooney isn't coming
Cesc isn't coming
Fellaini isn't coming
Suarez isn't coming

Some cheap old shit from Ligues 1 & 2 might come in (on 31 August when we're already 5 points off the lead)

[highburyJD]

who are the "done deal boys"?

[SteveO 35]

who are the "done deal boys"?

1989 for starters !

[p206ab]

Napoli has £108m and they barely mention this, Chelski has £120m and do the same, why the did we have to scream around and brag with our little £70m?
At least they will spend them.

And now we will lose Higgy for what.. 2 bloddy millions which Wenker didn't want to add? Well done, you ..
As someone said, Suarez to Madrid, Higuain to Napoli, Rooney can go wherever the heck he wants, I never thought even for a second he could come to us.

[northbank123]

A few weeks ago, I doubt there were many of us who didn't have genuine high hopes for this transfer window, such was the unprecedented gesturing of the club regarding transfers.
If things go the way they now seem to be going, then this would turn out to be the most disappointing window ever. It would be difficult to see how Wenger and co could bullshit themselves out of this one, surely every last bit of hope that was held by anyone who was undecided on Wenger would be erased.
He will however, have signed his new multi-million pound contract by then and we will be left with a feeling of total dejection.

I agree with that, but it's a very pessimistic (but understandable) outlook on a transfer window that has yet to kick into gear.

Most transfers around Europe are surely still yet to happen, so for now there's far too many ifs and buts to consider.

Undoubtedly there are many more transfers yet to come this window, but taking our main priority into account look at strikers who've already moved - Villa, Falcao, Gomez, Cavani, Neymar, Tevez. Real Madrid, the club who our one apparently definite high-profile transfer target plays for, have spent about £60m on two midfielders.

Sorry but the whole 'yet to kick into gear'/chain reaction excuse just doesn't wash with me. Every week the list of top-class strikers who we could feasibly sign gets shorter and shorter - yet we wait, because Wenger foolishly thinks that he can pick up players on the cheap if we wait til the last week of the window.

[rodders999]

How fucking hilarious will it be when Napoli rock up to the Emirates cup with Higuain in tow. Can't wait to see the look on the window lickers faces. Fuck the lot of em.

[g88ner]

How fucking hilarious will it be when Napoli rock up to the Emirates cup with Higuain in tow. Can't wait to see the look on the window lickers faces. Fuck the lot of em.

Don't worry, if that does happen you can bet your life Wenger will spin the situation as best he can - it'll be bingo heaven for SteveO

After all, if he can get away with the sales of Nasri, Cesc and Van Persie without causing meltdown, I'm sure he can handle Higuain rocking up in a Napoli kit - that's what you get from a £2m+ CEO and a £7m+ a year manager.... teflon armour and spin that would send even a politician dizzy

[Red Gunner]

Manchester United chief flies back from tour braced for Wayne Rooney bid

Ed Woodward, Manchester United's executive vice-chairman, flew out of the pre-season tour in Australia on Thursday evening to attend urgent transfer business, with the club braced for Wayne Rooney to lodge an official transfer request.

With Woodward bound for Europe, high on his agenda will also be the pursuit of Cesc Fàbregas after Barcelona turned down United's £26m initial bid for David Moyes's prime target. Having done so, Barcelona are yet to make any public statement confirming that Fàbregas is not for sale. Other players interesting the Scot and who Woodward may address are Everton's Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, and Chelsea's David Luíz.

Rooney believes it may be difficult to work with Moyes following his fury at the manager's comments that he is now second choice to Robin van Persie as striker. Rooney had long-standing issues with Sir Alex Ferguson before his retirement and is dismayed at the comments from Moyes and his fall in status at the club. With United maintaining he is not for sale, Rooney will have to force through any move away by making an official request.

Rooney worked on his fitness alone at Carrington, United's training base, on Wednesday with the striker confident that he will be ready for the start of the season, though where he may be playing is not yet clear.

Chelsea have lodged a £20m bid for Rooney which United rejected, indicating they would not welcome a further offer.

While Chelsea denied that they had offered one of two players as part of any deal, it is understood that Moyes does retain an interest in David Luiz, the Brazil defender.

Woodward may return for the final leg of the tour in Hong Kong, but he was always due to miss next week's part in Japan.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013 ... s-transfer

-----

Jose Mourinho admits 'it's Wayne Rooney or bust' for Chelsea

Jose Mourinho insisted the future of Wayne Rooney is a decision for Manchester United as the tussle for the striker's services began in earnest on Wednesday.

Rooney is at the centre of a row between Chelsea and United over a bid made yesterday for the player which was rejected by the Barclays Premier League champions.

Mourinho was low-key when commenting on the offer in Bangkok, despite United provoking the Blues' ire.

Chelsea confirmed they want to buy Rooney, who is in dispute with United over comments made by manager David Moyes when he spoke to journalists in Bangkok last week.

However, they are furious at suggestions David Luiz or Juan Mata had been offered as makeweights in the deal.

Speaking in Bangkok following the first match of his second spell in charge - a 1-0 win over Singha All-Stars - Mourinho declined the opportunity to fuel the argument.

"I think that this situation is clear - nothing is a secret anymore," he said.

"The official bid is just about a certain amount of money and doesn't involve players.

"We want the player. We made the bid and now we have nothing more to say.

"Now it's up to Manchester United."

Asked if Chelsea had made any other bids, Mourinho said: "No, and we won't."

Asked whether it is now "Rooney or bust", Mourinho said: "yes."

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