Football (EPL, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1) player recruitment

What do Arsenal fans make of the potential loss of Henry?

Click to expand...

I am not an Arsenal fan but, to me, the team seems like it is on the verge of becoming a complete mess. It seems all their best players are always being rumoured as leaving. There is talk of Wenger walking due to Dein's departure.

I do not think losing Henry would be the end of the world for them. It would probably be a good bit of business to ship him off before his value starts to dwindle. If they can get Eto'o plus cash in exchange they might actually be a better team (though the dressing room would probably suffer).

Originally Posted by water

Click to expand...

I am not an Arsenal fan but, to me, the team seems like it is on the verge of becoming a complete mess. It seems all their best players are always being rumoured as leaving. There is talk of Wenger walking due to Dein's departure.

I do not think losing Henry would be the end of the world for them. It would probably be a good bit of business to ship him off before his value starts to dwindle. If they can get Eto'o plus cash in exchange they might actually be a better team (though the dressing room would probably suffer).

Sounds like Roma!

Originally Posted by rdawson808

Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight. I thought there was an official FIFA or UEFA "window" when it was okay to sign players, though.

b

That is the transfer window, which occurs during January in the Premiership, and possibly throughout Europe.

This is the case during the season, but not in the off-season, which has not such start and end date. The only limitation would be that business ought be concluded before the start of the season in the various leagues.

New Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri is ready to test former club Chelsea's resolve with a bid for midfielder Frank Lampard.

The Turin giants have plenty of cash available to spend after their promotion back to Serie A and the Daily Mirror claims the 'Tinkerman' wants to build his new side around England star Lampard.

Lampard's current contract still has two years to run and it has been claimed he has already turned down an offer of £140,000 a-week from Chelsea and the club are concerned he may leave for nothing in 2009.

There had been fears Lampard would buy out the remaining two years of his deal under new FIFA rules, but as he did not declare his intentions within 15 days of the end of the season, he can no longer do that.

However, it is claimed Ranieri has been given around £70million to spend and is willing to meet Chelsea's valuation of the player.

I know the numbers tell a different story, but I just cannot seem to rate Lampard highly.

I think it would be very interesting to see him move to Juve as it would take him out of the Chelsea system that protects him so well. It could finally expose whether he really is a great player or actually just the shadow that shows up for the national side all too often.

Henry to Barcelona according to French papers.

Trezequet is leaving Juve.


b

Apparently Ranieri wants to swap Trezeguet for Crouch. Not sure I'd take that deal.

Also, rumours abound of LFC resorting, yet again, to secondary targets, after overstating their expectations of how much we'd have to spend. Normally this would be the fans only, but this year it seems Rafa's also been given similar news.

More player sales to fund acquisitions? Fine, but not Forlan, or Owen. The Milito brothers would be preferable.

As for those who bemoan our lack of signings- it is the price we pay as a club for being beholden to La Liga, in terms of our main transfer activity.

Besides, United have no guarantees that Anderson and Nani will be any good for them. Djemba-Djemba, Veron and Kleberson are prominent, and readily available examples of expensive past mistakes.

Originally Posted by strazzaque

Click to expand...

Besides, United have no guarantees that Anderson and Nani will be any good for them. Djemba-Djemba, Veron and Kleberson are prominent, and readily available examples of expensive past mistakes.

True, there are no guarantees but then no-one knew that Ronaldo was going to be so influential last season, nor that Ballack/Sheva would be so ineffectual. LFC need to get some big signings in.

Originally Posted by chobochobo

Click to expand...

True, there are no guarantees but then no-one knew that Ronaldo was going to be so influential last season, nor that Ballack/Sheva would be so ineffectual. LFC need to get some big signings in.

Ronaldo at least had a season or more under his belt, and had shown enough over that time to indicate he could adapt to the Premiership. At 2 million, he is also the cheapest of those guys.

Nani and Anderson take this bold expenditure to new heights, at 34 million pounds (joint cost)

Sheva and Ballack are perfect examples of how such gross spending can backfire, and they're pedigreed!!

Liverpool are risk-averse- they will not entertain the possibility of such a massive loss. Cisse was probably approaching the max we'll spend on 'potential.'

Even established players, I doubt we'll go towards 30 million for the likes of Tevez, Eto'o and Villa.

Personally, loaning players for a year, with a view to purchase might be a safer option for our club. Saviola did that, as did Riquelme, and also Morientes at Monaco.

Ideally, if Tevez was reverting to his free agent status, and I am not sure he is, we'd be well served if we could loan him from his contract holders. It is our only realistic way of getting him, unless his suitors lose interest.

As an aside, I watched 'Goal II' last night. It was pretty bad to be honest - it was funny how the 'Gavin Harris' character was such a ***** when the others (okay they were real footballers) were so fit and muscular, even Ronaldo.

I was considering my earlier point. Diego and Gabi Milito are apparenly defensive and forward considerations for us.

It occurred to me that Anelka should surely also be among those mentioned, if we're also being linked with Trezeguet, who is now on Arsenal's radar.

If I was DT and had to choose between Anfield and the Gunners, it would be a no-brainer.

Originally Posted by strazzaque

Click to expand...

I was considering my earlier point. Diego and Gabi Milito are apparenly defensive and forward considerations for us.

It occurred to me that Anelka should surely also be among those mentioned, if we're also being linked with Trezeguet, who is now on Arsenal's radar.

If I was DT and had to choose between Anfield and the Gunners, it would be a no-brainer.

Granted these are useful players, but where are the 'big name' signings?

Still playing for their La Liga clubs. And likely priced out of our range, or plain disinterested.

Our big name signings ought to be established players for the first team, not potential greats, even though the signing of Lucas Leiva seems to have been greeted withsome glee. Yes, I hadn't heard of him either.

A big dealbreaker would be the rotation policy. As a stopgap I'd have considered Figo for a year or 2 year deal, as he is avail.. nope, he took up a contract until 2008 at Inter. ;[

Simao is a name player we've switched to from Malouda after a ridiculous valuation of 17 million pounds. Simao's is 12 million.

I cannot tell you how dearly I hope we avoid Diego Forlorn. As if his first failed stint in the Premiership wasn't bad enough. Our last effort at trialling a Man United reject went bad too, in Ramon Calliste, a forward released from OT and Carrington for not making the grade.

Eto'o would have been the one player I'd love to see turn out for us, followed by Villa, and Henry. After that it all becomes the competition of the also rans, including Anelka, Trezeguet, Milito, Amauri, Mancini etc.

A big 'NO' to Owen coming back.

Benayoun and Defoe, of Hammers and Spuds fame respectively, the latest to be linked.

I hope this is smoke and 'bubbles' on the part of the former, and a half baked link re the latter.

I say the press, and player agents are agitating for moves for their clients, in pursuit of the influx of money into premiership clubs post TV deal.

I can't believe that Darren Bent is being touted around for 17 million.