The air is still, and there definitely is transfer news being born until Overkill, but it seems GOOD news so far and I’m sure other fans will join in being absolutely delighted to bring in Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski by mid-June, it certainly seems as if a change of policy of age range (Podolski has just turned 27) and Giroud (26), but the most exciting policy change is that we’re getting players in early to offset any departures that may or may not occur. This little update is just to run through some things that are going on that you may have missed on the Twitter Timeline.
Yann M’Vila
Jeez, I love a good transfer but even I’m becoming bored of this, If I’m not reading tweets that it’s “100% done” I’m ready narky ripostes from people who seem annoyed they haven’t written it first. I’ve tried to not get involved in this story for the reason I really want the player at Arsenal, so when the inevitable Arsenal balls-up (Come on, It’s bound to happen sooner-or-later!) I’ll get really annoyed but I did speak to someone close to the story at the weekend who did confirm Arsenal’s interest (Shock Horror!) but that no fee had been agreed and the two clubs are apart on a fee. The player is interested in the move (Weekend Quotes will testify this) so this one will drag on and drag on. Arsenal also hold an interest in Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue as well and either him or M’Vila would be outstanding.
Carlos Vela – Sebastian Squillaci – Nicklas Bendtner – Marouane Chamakh – J-Y Park
Big movements here as well, Vela has offers from Germany, Turkey and Spain and that’s not including the formal offer of €3.5m + 50% sell-on which was tabled (How do you table an offer?) by Real Sociedad last week. Arsenal aren’t keen to let him go for such a nominal fee but could be persuaded by the hefty sell-on percentage which has seen them recoup a few Million € from Nacer Barazite’s move to Monaco in January. Arsenal haven’t replied and it seems as if it’s going to have to wait post-Euros.
Seb Squillaci is being targeted by arse-end Ligue 1 clubs as well. Bastia the big front runners and have been in talks the past week, I think a sticking point is how do Bastia accommodate Squillaci’s reported 50k a week wages considering their budget for bringing in players this season stands at a DNCG approved €300k. Maybe Arsenal will have to subsidise? I think they will be no fee or even Squillaci released with a nominal payout.
Nicklas Bendtner is linked with a new club every-day. Spin “The Wheel of Bendtner” to find out who he’s linked with tomorrow!
There was talk Chamakh would be make-weight for Giroud. Was never going to happen. Montpellier are a small-ish club budget wise and Giroud was top earner on £15k a week, throw in Chamakh’s wages + stubborn president and this was always a no-go. I think Chamakh does have other interest but will they pay the wages?
That’s it from me. Bonus points to anyone who can get the musical reference in this piece.
Jamie Dalton – @jamiedalton82
