Archive for July, 2011
July 21st, 2011
There are signs of life emanating from Arsenal’s transfer department. Since the signing of Gervinho, we’ve been ominously quiet, with the only the ill-fated bid for Costa Rican starlet Joel Campbell to keep us twits twittering.
Now, however, it seems we’re back on the market, with both the BBC and Sky reporting we’ve had a £10m bid for Phil Jagielka rejected.
Apparently Everton are mildly irritated that after having a £12m bid rejected last summer, we’ve returned with a smaller offer this time round. After our recent dealings with Barcelona, it’s hard not to sympathise with their frustrations.
I hope it’s merely an opening gambit in a more prolonged period of negotiation, because Jagielka would be fantastic signing. At 28 he is just arriving at his peak as a central defender, and that’s reflected in the fact that last season he emerged as first-choice for England.
Now, being an England international does bring with it a certain premium when it comes to price. But even without that, Arsene must know Jagielka is worth more than the £10m we’ve proposed. Everton are reportedly asking for something closer to £20m – his actual value lies somewhere in the middle. What’s certain is the he’s a more accomplished, assured, experienced performer than Gary Cahill – currently valued by Bolton at £17m.
I do think that signing a player like Jagielka would potentially transform our back-line. The value of domestic experience cannot be underestimated: the rigours of the Premier League hold no fear for him. This boy can play too, and wouldn’t look at all out of place in our starting XI.
Everton are strapped for cash, and would need to sell to bring in any new players this summer. Let’s hope we make them an offer they cant refuse.
Another skint club we may look to raid is Valencia. Reports from Spain suggest their playmaker Juan Mata is regarded as a potential replacement for either Samir Nasri or Cesc Fabregas, and their manager Unai “Dick” Emery has said:
“We want him to stay and Mata has also expressed his wish to remain at Valencia, but we know that if a big-money offer comes in from any club and it’s good for both the player and the club, it could lead to his exit.”
As for Cesc himself, any reports suggesting that Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu were in the country to negotiate a deal have been proved false by the fact that Bartomeu is in fact in Barcelona negotiating another deal – the one for Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez.
Denilson has completed his loan move to Sao Paulo. I don’t know whether there’s any realistic chance of him remaining their permanently, but he’ll hope that being closer to home and playing more regularly will put him in with a chance of a call-up to the national side. I wish him all the best- you never know, he might even be back in an Arsenal shirt in twelve months time, a better player for the experience.
Despite the fact they remained at home to negotiate transfers almost a fortnight ago, there’s no news on the futures of either Nicklas Bendtner or Manuel Almunia.
Before the summer sale at Arsenal gets underway in earnest, Gunnerblog is having one of its own. All t-shirts in the Gunnerblog store will be available at discount prices until the season kicks off.
Lastly, some sad news: former Arsenal defender Ryan Garry has had to retire from football aged just 27. He was once thought of as a huge prospect, but injuries have dogged and ultimately ended his career. It looks as if his club Bouremouth will provide him with support as he embarks on a career as a coach.
July 20th, 2011
After a couple of days of intrigue in Central America, the summer news agenda returned firmly yesterday to its preferred topic: the possible departure of Cesc Fabregas.
Josep Guardiola held his first press conference of pre-season, and the lurking hacks won’t have been disappointed with his comments:
“This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on [it]. Barcelona has made an offer [of £26m], Arsenal another [between £35-40m], and we have time until 31 August and we’ll try to reach an agreement. There is a sum of money in the strong box set aside for this signing but if it doesn’t work out it will be kept in the box for something else. We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad.”
Exciting, eh? Arsenal have agreed to negotiate a sale? Blimey, that’s big news.
Except, it isn’t. Even when the BBC printed this story almost a month ago, they were already telling us something we already knew.
Anyone remotely connected to the club knows that Arsenal will sell Cesc Fabregas – if Barcelona pay the asking price. From the noises in the press, we’re led to believe that the price we’re quoting is a few million pounds more than Liverpool paid for Andy Carroll. Fabregas is, statistically, the most creative footballer in Europe. £40m would be a snip.
The reason we’re prepared to accept what has to go down is a deflated fee is simply that nobody wants an end to this saga more than Arsenal. It is damaging and draining. Read these comments from Arsene Wenger on tour last week:
“We know that this story for Barcelona goes on for years now and we have to close that and for ourselves to focus on the season, hopefully with Cesc Fábregas.”
Arsene’s meaning is clear. First and foremost, we need resolution. Ideally that would include keeping Cesc. If it doesn’t, it’ll be a huge blow, but we’ll recover and move forward.
The Guardian suggest we’ve set a deadline of the end of the month. I would imagine that’s guesswork on their part, but it makes sense. In August, we face both Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as a crucial Champions League qualifier. We cannot afford to go through that period with doubts over Cesc’s future.
It’s time for Barcelona to put up or shut up. CUoCO. At the moment they’re like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, hanging around shops looking at dresses they simply can’t afford to buy. They’re waiting for Richard Gere to come in and save them. BUT THERE IS NO RICHARD GERE.
If Barca haven’t got the necessary funds to buy both Fabregas and their number one target, Alexis Sanchez, then they need to tell us. And Cesc. Professing how much they want the player, only to refuse to pay the painfully reasonable fee, is not helping his career.
If Barca do find £40m down the back of a sofa, perhaps Arsenal will spend some of that fee on Alex Chamberlain (repeat: Chamberlain, not Oxlade-Chamberlain). The Southampton winger has told his club he wishes to move to the Premier League, saying:
“I’ve heard Arsenal are in for me and to join a top-four club is what I hope for.
“When the bus comes along, you have to jump on it and make the most of your opportunities.
“It’s not every day you get a chance like that. I believe in my own ability and that I have what it takes to play in the Premier League.”
One man who won’t be boarding our bus any time soon is Joel Campbell. It sounds like he and his family have well and truly put Arsenal’s noses out of joint, and I have to say I can understand why we walked away from the deal.
I did find this poll on Costa Rican paper La Nacion rather amusing. Forgive the slightly dodgy google translation, but you get the point:
Right, that’s yer lot for today. As we speak, Xavi is holding a press conference. More Cescy fun on the way, no doubt.
July 19th, 2011
Arsenal have closed the door on their attempts to sign Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell, after neither the player or his father turned up to a scheduled meeting last night.
The paper La Nacion, which has had several exclusives about the story, leads with the headline ‘Joel Campbell stood Arsenal up‘.
The President of his club Saprissa, Juan Carlos Rojas, confirmed:
“It’s a disappointment for football, for Saprissa and for me that they have decided not to take up an offer from as serious and first-class people as Arsenal. I hope it works out for Joel.
I assume his father thinks that things will get better and that’s why he made this decision, but hey, there’s always a risk. It’s a shame that Costa Rican football could not have a player at Arsenal at this time.”
All parties were due to meet at 7pm at the Intercontinental Hotel for a final meeting before Richard Law departed for London. Humberto Campbell claimed he and his son were absent due to the medical tests that were being undertaken, but Arsenal were suitably unimpressed to pull out of the deal. Rojas confirmed:
“There is no other option; the doors are closed.”
Humberto Campbell seemed unmoved by the news:
“If the Arsenal option is closed there is no problem. When one door closes, many open.”
It’s quotes like that which will lead people to infer than another club has already been in his ear.
The news has to go down as another blow to Arsenal’s summer transfer plans, after we just missed out on Argentinian midfielder Ricky Alvarez despite sending Law out to try and do out a deal. It does, however, seem that in this case the player’s father made it more trouble than it was worth.
Sorry to start your day with some less than great news…
July 19th, 2011
Hello all. Just a quick one from me to let you know that there’s no need to stay up all night checking Costa Rican websites hoping to see news of an Arsenal signing. Striker Joel Campbell’s move has hit a snag and will be held up.
Despite undergoing a medical attended by Arsenal officials at a local hospital, the player’s father has now said they will wait until after his participation in the U-20 World Cup before making any decision. He said:
“We have decided we will not sign anything yet; we expect to finish the World Cup to for Joel to go and play calmly and without pressure, then see what happens.
The offer from Arsenal remains on the table – we are not saying no, we are asking for time.”
Rather unfortunately, Humberto Campbell’s decision comes amidst rumours of rival interest from Spain, Russia, and England. It seems Richard Law will now return to England without the player’s signature.
The earliest date Campbell could be free from his international duty is 6th August. If Costa Rica do well in the competition, he could be at the tournament until 20th August.
In my opinion there are two possible reasons for the decision to delay: the first is that they are waiting to see if Arsenal can be successful in their application for a special talent visa. The second, and unfortunately more likely, is that they’re hoping that a good showing in Colombia will enable them to demand more money from Arsenal or a string of other suitors.
Whilst we’ve clearly tried to get this deal sewn up as swiftly as possible, it is in the interests of the player and his representatives to drag it out. I’ve enjoyed bringing you all updates on this transfer, but it seems like any imminent activity is unlikely.
The Denilson to Sao Paulo deal, however, does appear to have been tied up. Night all.
July 18th, 2011
At long last, Arsenal have completed their first major signing of the summer, with Gervinho finally officially an Arsenal player.
The player is made up about the move, saying:
“It’s a great feeling to be an Arsenal player. I’m very happy. I’ve always dreamed to play for this Club. I’ve achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It’s one of the most beautiful days of my life.
I’m very happy to have the chance to work with Arsène Wenger. I came here because I believe that he can improve my game and help me reach another level, but the most important thing for me is that I bring a lot to the team for whom I’m playing.”
There’s a more in-depth interview with the player on the shiny new Arsenal Player, in which the player acknowledges he is likely to have to undergo a period of adaptation:
“I enjoyed adapting to the French league. I know English football is harder and I might need more time at the start, but ultimately it’s up to me to adapt.”
He’s been training at London Colney for a week now, and all being well will travel with the squad to face FC Cologne on Saturday.
Whether or not Gervinho will be joined in the attacking ranks by Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell remains to be seen. The move was due to be tied up yesterday, but late interest from another Premier League club threatened to put a spanner in the works.
It seems, however, that we remain firmly in the driving seat. Arseblog News has the following quotes from the player’s father:
“I thought it be decided yesterday but we need to review some points in the contract.
It’s a question of looking at what they’re offering and making sure everything is ok. If so, he will sign with Arsenal.”
The player himself, meanwhile, commented to La Nacion about Arsenal’s interest:
“Well, it’s a dream, a great opportunity. But I have not signed and I keep quiet.
Thank God there are several offers and we are considering them all. If I go to Arsenal or not is decided according to what best suits my interests.
I am also clear that to play in Europe, we need a work permit. And we’re waiting to finalize details like that, before making a final decision.”
The Arsenal delegation remain in Costa Rica working on the deal – there should be more news this evening.
As Campbell considers crossing the Atlantic to join Arsenal, midfielder Denilson is heading in the other direction to return to Sao Paulo on loan. Although the player called it “more than a dream come true” on his official twitter account, it’s hardly a step forward for the player, who had hoped to move to Spain or Italy. In fact, rather typically for Denilson, it’s a move at best sideways, probably backwards. It seems he burnt his bridges rather with his comments at the back end of last season, and has had to take the only concrete offer on the table.
Arsene has spoken out again about the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. It’s obvious to me that their destinies are intertwined: the club won’t countenance losing both, so one is free to go only if the other remains.
This week will be crucial. Arsene is now back at Colney with both Nasri and Fabregas. With huge fixtures as soon as the season kicks off, we cannot afford to have these lingering doubts drag on beyond the start of August, especially when it comes to our captain.
If Barca don’t stump up the money soon, we’ll have the declare that Cesc is off the market – whether he likes it or not.
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