Transfer News Roundup

Once again, the more that other teams change the more Arsenal stays the same....

According to The Mail, we've renewed our interest in Phil Jagielka.

Well darn.  News is that Sebastian Larsson is headed to Sunderland, rather than making a return to Arsenal. 

Good. Arsenal should be looking for better than Larsson.

I could buy tickets to see the Fire take on the Red Bulls this weekend and see Thierry Henry. Am I a fool not to, or is Henry a mere shadow of his former self?

Henry got a red card last week against the Timbers and therefore will be suspended, is that how the suspension rules work in the MLS?

Red Bulls have a game tomorrow night, so he'll miss that one, but will return for the game on Sunday.

Watch his goal from two weeks ago against New England. Silky smooth.

This season he is making the entire NYRB team look better. I'm jealous you have the opportunity.

And in comedy news, Jermaine Jenas may be moving to Fenerbahce for 5m pounds. 

The money coming out of Turkish clubs this transfer window is pretty astounding, actually. Between Fener and Galatasaray, they seem to be spending many, many millions. 

They're always rich because they're always winning the domestic competitions. And they have massive fan bases. Think of them like Barca and RM of Turkey, only everybody else isn't even worth looking at (Except for maybe Beskitas and Trabzonspor)

What feels different this year is that they're targeting some top players (with half-hearted apologies to Jenas) like Diego Forlan, etc. 

According to 'Soccernomics' Turkey has alot of money and will be a big football country in the future so...

Hey, I read that too!

Perhaps the bigger difference is the willingness of players to go there. Sure Anelka went there in 2005, then Roberto Carlos in 2007, but already this year we've seen Sabrosa, Queresma, Johan Elmander, Tomas Ujfalusi, Joseph Yobo, etc.

According to Mirror Football, Ashley Young has completed a medical at ManU, and is that much closer to a 16m pound transfer. 

Ashley Young is really, really good. I would love to have him in our side, maybe running down the left side. Did we even consider him? 16m pounds for an English international with his skill and speed is a steal. 

Apparently we're more interested in Downing.

Kill me now. Downing. ugh

19m pounds to United is the latest. What? Also, why more than Ashley Young?

This is why I hate the transfer season so much. When did we hear about this (Young to ManU)? A week ago? ManU announced he signed today. Just f-ing go out and sign the people that are our targets. It really shouldn't take this long to sign one guy. 

I have a really bad feeling that this summer will be like every summer before it. We lose a couple decent players, we sign a couple decent players and nothing really changes.

I am so disappointed in our transfer news....was I really that naive to think Arsene would actually learn something this time..? Yes I was.
Apparently he pulled one to Odemwingie, where he offered the same wages as in WB.
I mean Arsene...come on, really. EVERYBODY knows our needs in a B team and defence..EVERYBODY!!

Sometimes its like a stubborn child is responsible for saving a sinking ship, and us fans are all helpless ashore watching, shouting instruction to the kid.. and yet, he does not listen. :(

I just wonder why...oh God why, he is like that. I mean I am stubborn, hell, I yell at people, I am obnoxious when right and often accept my bads quick so anyone forgets...but when it comes to my main activity, man I do think the greater good!

It's still June. I'm getting worked up too, but let's remember to breath. I refuse to be optimistic, considering our record, but we should also try not to be so negative (he said while pointedly avoiding looking at his latest comment re: Ashley Young). 

I guess you are right. But then I see all these other rumors and signing taking place now...and stealing our targets..sigh.

Is it just me, or does Gervinho bear an uncanny resemblance to Adebayor ? Sure the similarity stops there. After all, I cannot imagine Gervinho being a greedy, spiteful, ungrateful, disrespectful, discourteous, malicious sort of player.

Complete opposites mate

I would still go for Samba, even at £12 million. Just look at the guy, he's a beast. He has, this aggression which I think Vieira had. The guy could practically scare his own team mates into putting in a good performance. Anyway hope the Gervinho deal gets done soon, he looks like a really effective player.
As to Cesc to Barcelona, Rosell, well just maybe he's been playing too much football manager and thinks he can unsettle Cesc and make him ask for a transfer.
Yea and when do we get rid of Denilson and Bendtner? Hopefully soon.

Arsenal are back in the race for Peter Odemwingie, according to the Mail. 

didn't he say arsenal was offering him to small a salary

Juventus are talking to Lyon about the purchase of Michel Bastos, according to L'Equipe. Why aren't we? Because Gibbs is good enough to start in the Premier League and Champions League if we lose Clichy? 

i still dont like the Samba a Gervinho deal
1) i have been watching Ligue 1 i plays alright but we should be getting a player who can create on his own a make some real nice passes to open the defence
2) since he would be taking Theo spot am not for that at all
3) we should be getting some for the left since i think Arsha progress well continue to decline
4) i think Djourou should get a chance to start along side TV5 next year and we should only by a defending if Squizz leaves

I have to agree with Homey on this. I appreciate the sentiments, but I think we need more depth. We've seen how many games Theo, Cesc, RvP and Nasri will miss in a given season. Gervinho will provide depth as well as a different approach. Samba I'm not nearly as sold on. I would far rather we signed a more mobile defender, but as this point I'm just glad we're signing any central defender. Squizz has to go.

Fred,
I don't necessarily disagree with some of what you're saying.  But I would simply say that your opinions seem to be based on a scenario where all our players are healthy and available.  If we had Nasri, Arshavin, and Theo ready for every match, then we'd be ok. The problem is that they're often hurt/tired/suspended, and then we have to go with Rosicky, or play Bendtner out of position. 
The same goes for our central defensive pairing.  I'm ok with TV5, Djourou, and Kos.  But if two of them are out for some reason, we're left with Squizz in the lineup. 
Ditto also for our two central defensive midfielders.  I like Song and Wilshere, but then what after them? 
So we need to get players in those spots so that we can weather the storms that come about in a 50+ game season.  Plus some additional world class quality would be nice in both the attack and defense, and not merely just added depth. 

good point,

And both Roma and Liverpool are chasing Clichy, though apparently he would rather go to Liverpool. This according to The Times. 

And according to "People" (via the ESPN blog), Arsenal are keen on Birmingham centre-back Scott Dann.

EDIT: I'm quite confused by the source. Does it mean commenters? Is there a newspaper in the UK called People?

From the ESPN transfer blog: 
Raphael Varane's [18-year-old central defender] future is set to be tied up in the next few days, with Arsenal and Man Utd interested. "Given the clubs involved, it would be very hard to stop him [from moving]," Lens president Gervais Martel told La Voix du Nord. "I hope this will be finalised in the next 48 hours - I have just spent four hours on the phone, and there are many things to settle."

Lens were relegated last season. 

the latest news is that ZiZou persuaded him to go to the Bernabeu. And is rumoured that Varane has made it clear to Lens.

That's too bad. I sometimes think our Frenchness will convince any young French player to sign with us. 

Totally agree. Not to mention our penchant for developing young players. But then the lure of ZiZou at the Bernabeu...

L'Equipe has us linked to Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko, but that's according to his agent. 

The Sun has us linked to Jurado, Schalke Spanish midfielder. 24, Nasri/Iniesta type. 

Gooner Talk is reporting (sorry, no link) that Dortmund officials have flown over to talk about Bendtner. Dear Arsene: sell. 

And Vela, at this point, doesn't appear to have any takers. Anyone know why Wenger doesn't want him to go out on loan, only wants a permanent deal? 

I guess Dortmund can use a target man, since they don't have one currently, but I still don't see where he fits in their 4-2-3-1.  They already have Lucas Barrios and Lewandowski to play up front as the central striker, and Bendtner obviously doesn't want to play on the wings nor does he have the skill to displace any of Borussia's wingers in Gotze, Blaszczykowski, or Grobkreutz, and they have Kawaga/Lewandowski playing in the hole.  Bendtner definitely is much more physical than Barrios or Lewandowski, but his finishing isn't up to par of either of them.  He adds a different element to their attack, but would Bendtner be happy in another squad rotational role?

Doesn't Barrios play wider? I remember him out wide right at the World Cup. Or maybe he had the free role behind the striker? I only watched one Dortmund game all season, so I don't remember. 

I guess Barrios can play wide then.  At least the way Klopp has them set up, they have either Blaszczykowski or Gotze on the right wing and Kawaga or Lewandowski in the hole behind Barrios.  Lewandowski is more of a Van Persie type, at least the way Poland and Lech Poznan used him, but Klopp seems to be trying transition him more into a link-up or secondary striker role.  He was their "big" money purchase last year (at least comparatively.. I mean it'd be a miniscule fee for an EPL team), but Kawaga played out of this world this past season until he got injured.

I think Wenger said he wanted Vela in the first team.

From 101greatgoals: Belgium outlet BH say that Anderlecht, Valencia and Bolton are all chasing Arsenal's Carlos Vela

I think Wenger is hoping fans won't see this as papering over cracks. 

I think he actually sees something in the Mexican. I'm not overly convinced, but there you go

is he playing in the Gold Cup

No, Arsenal didn't release him to go.

Wish MAnure hadnt released Chicharito...

Are you worried about what he could do against the U.S. in the final?

Aren't you?  He's been an absolute terror in the tournament.

Phelan,
My comment was an inside joke/tease to Gigi.  He's from Panama.  My question to him was based on an assumption that the U.S. would make the final, and thus defeat Panama in the semis.  It had nothing to do with Chicharito.

ouch ouch ouch, I had not seen this yet...and today it hurts.
haha, nah, just kiddin.
I mean of course it hurts, but it was a game that imo was for the first to take advantage of a kistake, we made it and you took advantage. Fair enough.
My only regret is that, like with the Arsenal, I thought this was THE gold cup for us to take.
But then if we keep this pace and Dely's accurate coaching, we might head up to our 1st (yeah you read right, 1st) world cup ever.

Also a much more proper quote at the bottom than what the other tool has been doing.  Seriously. 
Anyway... a couple of thoughts about it all... does anyone worry there's something weird behind the scenes now that the Gervinho thing hasn't happened yet?  It was supposed to be last weekend at the latest.
Second, I'm totally in agreement on Barton, Samba, and Vertonghen. 
Third, I think it's funny how we're constantly building up the long-awaited debut of Darren.
Fourth, I believe the transfer window has already officially begun in England.  At least that's what it says on Wiki.  And I think some of the prior deals have already been signed and completed. 
Fifth, in looking at Gervinho, I find myself looking at the Lille stats from last year.  And while you could label Moussa Sow as a one-year wonder, it's hard not to notice 25 goals scored last year.  (In a lower-scoring league.)  Wow.  Why aren't we hearing his name thrown about?
Sixth, I read that Chelsea is about to hire boy wonder as their new manager.  And that will likely mean Falcao goes with him.  Uh oh.  I think I know who will be my pre-season pick to win the EPL.

Regarding your 4th point, I believe the English transfer window is open, meaning player exchanges, purchases, & sales can take place within England only, but I believe the window for Italy, Spain, and France officially opens on July 1st hence everything still being speculation with who we are going to buy and sell abroad. My feeling is that there are handshake deals already in place for Arsenal (i.e. Gervinho despite what the media might be spewing), and that we'll see official news post-July 1st. What boggles my mind, however, is the delay on Samba or Cahill or whomever else from England. I would think some sort of deal on that end would have been done or is as good as done now, given the English window has been open for weeks now.

I am worried about the Gervinho deal and the Falcao thing.
And then I am worried that Arsene hasnt learned anything from what I read about Odemwingie.
Not I would kill for any. But man, we do need to be stronger in having back ups and in defence..and Arsene seems to be coming out of the 2004 season...

The Falcao thing has been out of reach for a while.  Or at least something we weren't ever going to do, unfortunately.  I was hoping for a change of direction, just as you are.  I'm thinking Falcao will follow his manager to Chelsea soon.
And yes, it's frustrating overall.  Not sure what happened with Gervinho.  Not sure if we're really going to see the big transfer activity we were promised.  Ugh.  It's tough to be an Arsenal fan sometimes.  Especially during the transfer windows. 

First, yeah homey; although this "quote at the end" thing is quite in, JG's is much cooler than yours. Just saying.
Second, agreed, agreed, and disagreed. (I love Diego Lugano, you see..)
Third, its like there's an abstract drum roll somewhere in hearts that is anticipating Darren's first post. I'm trying to keep the expectations low, so that I can enjoy the post without the  hype.
Fourth, speaking from playing Championship/Football Manager since the 90's, I can say that the British transfer window opens on the 1st of July and closes on the 31st of August.
Fifth, the name we should be speaking about is Eden Hazard; the boy should have been snapped up already and we must act quickly to pounce on such a gem.
Sixth, yeah and the comparisons with Mourinho are inevitable..
Seventh, I must say; I really like this number thing :D

Regarding the start of the window, do a search for the official EPL Rule book online.  When you find it, and you will find it easily, look at page 150.  I would supply the link for you, but I'm getting blocked.  You'd think I could post a dadgum link since I'm an official blogger, but oh well. 

The first Transfer Window in any year shall commence at midnight on the last day of the
Season and shall end on 31st August next if a Working Day or, if not, on the first Working Day
thereafter, at a time to be determined by the Board.

I'm too lazy to look it up. I just have to count on your word for this one. 

Maybe the system is sentient and just doesn't like you.

Sentient?  That's a big word for a little man.  Haha.  Just kidding.  I did have to look it up though. 

Yeah, if Villas-Boas goes, then it's likely Falcao goes. Gulp. Hopefully he'll pull a Torres, but if he doesn't, watch out. 
I find it disappointing that while the Manchesters and the Chelseas get a new star name linked to them each week, we have the same, mundane, above average but not super special awesome named every day each summer. Gervinho. Samba. Cahill. Chamberlain. It's the same guys, over and over.
I think we'll start getting linked to more forwards once Bendtner leaves. I doubt Sow would leave, considering Gervinho likely will and Hazard as well. Lille DO have CL commitments next season. Other unknown strikers with great scoring rates last season we should be looking at would be Papiss Cisse (Freiburg in the Bundesliga, highest scoring African in one season with 22 goals), although I think if Wenger gets Chamberlain then it's over for signing strikers this summer.

Highest scoring African in the Bundesliga, or in any league?  Because Sow plays for the Senegal national team, and scored 25 last year in France. 
Like Chamakh, he was born in France but plays for the country of his heritage.

Bundesliga, my bad.

Oh ok, well I thought that's what you meant.  For whatever reason, there seem to be a lot of players with great goal-scoring accomplishments last season who still aren't highly-coveted.  Dzsudzsak, Sow, Cisse, etc.