Category: Transfers

Hleb didn’t say that and training has begun

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers4 Comments

There’s been a lot said about quotes from Hleb slagging off Cesc Fabregas and Wenger. The comments according to Arseblogger are ‘rehashed’ from earlier reports. That makes sense to me, Hleb wouldn’t just start slagging off his mate Cesc, or his boss, Wenger.

These are the quotes:

“My view of how I should be playing didn’t coincide with the manager’s. I told him last season I wanted to leave and think he was quite upset about it. But ask him. It may turn out he’s happy to see me go. I don’t know where I’ll be next season but I’d prefer Barcelona. It is being negotiated and, hopefully, will be decided soon.”

Hleb may be on his way out but these quotes can’t be true. Hleb has denied the quotes on his website:

“Dear Friends,

I am shocked by some media-reports. In some newspapers it was mentioned that I have attacked Arsene Wenger and Cesc Fabregas. But let me tell you: This is not true! The statements in the papers are definitely not my statements.

I would never ever say something disrespectful about them. And there is a simple reason for this: Cesc is a very good friend of mine and Arsene is one of the persons, I respect most.”

I think he might stay, to be honest.

Also Arsenal players are back in Colney for preseason trading.See all the photos here

Arsenal Tranfers: Amaury Bischoff and Schneiderlin

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers4 Comments

In the last few days some rumours have been circulating about two players – Bischoff, a midfielder who plays for Werder Bremen, and Schneiderlin, a French U-18 player, who just signed for Southampton.

These are both very unlikely rumours. Firstly Bischoff – he plays as an attacking midfielder – we don’t need that sort of player – and he has hardly ever played for Werder – as he has an awful inury record.

Schneiderlin is a young French player who has just been signed up for Southampton – there are reports from his fan club (cheers GoonerTalk for the link!) that we may be looking to take him off Southampton in a few years – but that seems a little strange – why not just buy him and loan him to Southampton.

Both seem unlikely, I would like to see us bring in a defender to be honest, but I don’t know if Wenger is looking for a defender.

It all depends on what happens with Ade and Hleb – what do you think Wenger should do??

Maybe I was wrong on Adebayor. Use the money and buy someone better

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers7 Comments

In the last few days I have been blogging about the Adebayor rumours. I was thinking that he would stay and that he was dedicated to Arsenal, but his most recent comments show he is an idiot, if he said them.

I am getting sick of all the transfer talk, I think that Ade wants to leave.

You will have all read the comments:

“Milan are a big club but the fact they are not playing in the Champions League next season is less of a challenge. Barcelona have made a good financial offer and there is also the chance to play alongside great players.

“Yes, I am still under contract to Arsenal but it’s up to the directors to satisfy my demands or I’ll leave. If my good form of last season has increased my value, my employers have to take account of that.

“I have to prepare for my retirement. Even if you are not scoring fine goals and you have money, you can enjoy a happy retirement. The time for preparing for that moment is now.”

“People ask if I am asking for the same salary as Henry. That is not necessarily the question. But I am being considered a worthy replacement for Henry while not deserving his salary. The question lies on this level.”

What an idiot – money-grabbing is all I can say. I am sure there has been some funny business – probably involving Ade’s agent – Stephane Courbis. Only a few days ago he was saying, he would stay. Now we hear all this about negotiations and money and being valued etc etc etc.

He isn’t Henry – his head sounds like it’s getting way too big..

I don’t want to talk about it really. If he wants to leave then let him. I can’t be bothered with him. I think he is a great player, but you can’t have someone in the squad who will affect morale.

This puts Wenger’s comments into context – he isn’t worried – but it doesn’t mean Ade will stay – because he will use the money to buy another striker.

Anyway, I hope the whole mess can sort itself out. If Ade does leave then we need a top class replacement with the money we will get.

Wenger says Adebayor will be at Arsenal next season

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers4 Comments

Arsene Wenger agrees with me!

UPDATE 29/06: Maybe he doesn’t! I’m getting a bit worried that Ade will leave now to be honest.

He thinks that Adebayor will be an Arsenal player next season too.

“He’s under contract and that’s quite simple. I can tell you as manager of Arsenal football club I’m not worried.

“Of course I expect him to be at Arsenal next season – he’s under contract.”

When Wenger was asked if he would be meeting the player next week as Ade said yesterday, Wenger responded;

“No – I’ve already met him.”

I still can’t believe that Arsenal would let him go to Milan or Barcelona. The fact that Ade hinted he would be sitting down with his agent Stephane Courbis to discuss this shows that it may be an agent driven move.

Ade has a contract, he said that, Wenger isn’t worried and has met him, and Ade has said he loves the club and wants to stay.

I’m not naiive. I know players will move to where the money is, and I have seen the Anelka saga unfold etc. I also know that even if players say they will stay they don’t neccesarily, but still, I think that it would be so crazy for us to let this guy go.

It can’t happen.

But maybe it will!

Adebayor is staying at Arsenal – Don’t listen to agents!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers4 Comments

Emmanuel Adebayor has yet again denied the rumours that he is leaving Arsenal.

Speaking in Vienna he told the press:

“I am an Arsenal player and have three years left on my contract. “The most important thing for me is to keep on enjoying my football. I’m staying at Arsenal.

This is the second, or third time that he has denied the rumours surrounding him. Morabito is a moron for saying that Ade would be leaving.

It seems obvious to me that Ade wants to stay, and that Wenger wants him to stay.

Milan have said he is their main target for the summer, which is odd, but it is probably just to put pressure on the player and the club, and unsettle.

Also I reckon Hleb will stay too, the transfer rumours which were abounding last month seem to have died down, and realistically it looks like he will be playing for us next season – who wants him? Barcelona?? They say they’re getting Arshavin, so they won’t want Hleb. No-one else is seriously interested.

Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Veloso, Crouch, Santa Cruz, Guiza, Senna

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers4 Comments

Good morning, afternoon, or evening. Wherever you are in the world! Here are a few more transfer rumours awaiting your derision.

First up, we’ve been linked with Portugese defensive midfielder Miguel Veloso. He plays for Sporting CP in Portugal and his agent Paulo Barbosa claims we want him – I think this is buls*it.

“Actually, we did not have normal contact from the Arsenal board, but from a member of the technical staff at the club, at the moment there is not a formal offer yet, but it is possible that will happen soon as Juventus and AC Milan have shown an equal interest in the player.”

So what does that mean? A scout watched him play once?? Again, it’s just an agent talking up a player – we should keep a list of them, Vicenzo Morabito would be somewhere near the top!

Morabito said we are interested in Crouch, beacuse Adebayor is 70 – 80% sure to leave Arsenal he claimed on Italian TV show Studio Sport.

“Arsenal are exploring the transfer market for a substitute for Adebayor,””The names being talked about are Peter Crouch, Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz and Germany forward Mario Gomez.”What are the chances of Adebayor joining Milan? At this stage, I’d say we are between 70 per cent to 80 per cent.”

One of the worst pieces of speculation I’ve heard this summer – if he isn’t good enough for Liverpool why would we want him??

Finally there are completely unfounded reports that we are interested in Senna, the 31 year old Spanish defensive midfielder.

Another made up one – the Daily Mail said we wanted Guiza – a mouth-watering prospect – but totally untrue!

Samir Nasri: Goals for Marseilles and France – Arsenal Signing Video Taster

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers

This is a video post of some goals and other clips of Samir Nasri playing for Marseilles and France.

Nasri scoring against Sedan:

A goal against Metz:

Tennis Football:

Has he, hasn’t he? Nasri’s agent says deal isn’t done – Expect confirmation soon

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers

Nasri’s agent Jean-Pierre Bernes has played down the reports which have been circling, that Nasri had signed for Arsenal.

He told the press:

“Discussions are continuing between the two clubs and the player,”

“Nothing has been finalised, no element of the transfer has been finalised and everybody is still talking. It is premature to announce anything at all.”

The fact that Marseille and Samir’s website – http://samirnasri.fr confirmed a deal between Arsenal and Marseille for the player, and that Arsenal.com have loaded images of Nasri onto their server, means that a deal can’t be far off, but at the time of writing, we haven’t signed him!

Rumours are that the official site is run by Nasri’s father who heard the news and posted it up, without realising that the agent wanted the deal kept quiet. In any case I think it will be done in the next few days. Just an administrative mix-up.

Nasri is an Arsenal player: An overview of the new signing

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers1 Comment

Samir Nasri has finally signed for Arsenal after months of transfer rumours. It just shows that sometimes the rumour mill does bring up some stories with a real foundation.

Samir has confirmed the deal on his website:

“We inform you with the news that Samir Nasri will not be an Olympique de Marseille player next season.

“We also tell you that he has signed a four-year contract with the London club, Arsenal.”

Apparently the deal is worth £15.8 million, which hopefully will be good business. Nasri has signed a four year deal with us, which is very exciting.

He will take the number 8 shirt, as that one is free at the moment. Whether or not he will replace Hleb or play alongside him remains to be seen, but either way this is a good signing on Arsenal’s part.

The 20 year old played four seasons in the Marseille first team, making his league debut during 2004-2005. He plays as a winger, and can score goals – he got six in 30 games last season.

On an international level he had just two substitute appearances in Euro 2008, but has represented France through their youth squads, starting in the Under-17 European Championship side in 2004. He first played a full France international in 2007, and now has 7 caps. He was also Marseille’s fans player of the year for the 2006/2007 campaign.

We’re still waiting for official confirmation of the signing, but Arsenal.com have uploaded pictures of Nasri (here and here), probably whilst preparing the announcement!

UPDATE

Nasri’s official website is down and Arsenal have removed the pictures – the transfer was leaked too early, and the deal is not totally finalised.

Barca bid for Adebayor and Hleb? Are Arsenal a selling club?

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers4 Comments

The news is rife with stories concerning Adebayor and Hleb and whether they will leave.

On Thursday we heard that AC Milan’s sole transfer target this summer is now Adebayor. Barcelona are also chasing his signature. AC Milan scout Ernesto Bronzetti says Milan still have a chance, but that Barca already have a deal:

“Let’s say we have a 50 per cent chance, a lot will depend on the wishes of the player in the end. Arsenal want to sell him to Barcelona, for their own motives. Barcelona tell me they already have an agreement with the player. I only know that the Barcelona president, Laporta, after having been doubted, now wants to shut everyone up by buying a big-name forward.”

“I do know they won’t have the economic means to buy him until they sell Eto’o or Ronaldinho, so I’d advise Milan not to buy either of them or they’ll finance the operation of taking Adebayor to Barcelona.

“(Saying the players weren’t needed) was a massive strategic error. Now anyone who wants to buy those players is maybe going to wait until August 29.”

Ade has come forward to say that he won’t comment, although he has said he will stay before, this media frenzy does worry me:

“Now I do not want to comment on anything relating to FC Barcelona, perhaps later it may be necessary but not now,”

“It is better to wait.”

Barcelona are also interested in Hleb and have reportedly offered about 50 million Euros for the pair. I’m not sure if they will leave, Goodplaya says that we will sell Adebayor if the money is right and replace him with Santa Cruz. I don’t like the idea of that happening, not at all. I think Ade is vital to the team and we need to keep it together – but Santa Cruz would be a quality replacement if he did leave.

Hleb, is a controversial issue these days, Wrighty7 doesn’t want to see him in an Arsenal shirt again after all theat has happened in the last few months. I would love to see him stay, but I would be much less worried about him leaving than Adebayor – simply because in Adebayor we have found a top stirker just at the right time, whereas Hleb is replacable.

If either do leave I will be worried about our ambition to be honest, if that did happen it would seem like we have become a selling club, and that isn’t how you become a successful club. I jus hope Arsenal find the right direction.

Talking of Adebayor there’s a great article on the BBC about his life and growing up in Togo, he seems like a genuinely nice chap.

Anyway, enjoy your Saturday/Sunday, I’m off!