Right folks the transfer window is properly underway at this stage after 7 days of shopping for all the top clubs & the Spuds. So far we have been linked with(deep breath) David Villa, Adrian Lopez, Yann M’vila, Iker Casillas(imagine), Lucas Biglia, Yanga Mbiwa & James McCarthy to name just a few.
The vast majority of Gooners know not to believe 99% of the stories you read in the papers but things have reached a new height of ridiculous in this window thus far. While i’m sure that transfer incomings will be discussed on this blog over the coming weeks I wanted to have a quick look at the outgoings tonight, more specifically the lack of permanent outgoings.
The first player to leave was Swiss centre half Johan Djourou. The long serving player has joined Hannover 96 on loan until the end of the season. Although he hasn’t played much this season hid departure leaves us severely short of options at the heart of the defence. The strangest aspect of this deal lies with the fact that there is no option in place for the German club to make the loan deal permanent. This suggests that Wenger still sees a place for Djourou in the Arsenal future, if so then why allow his to leave in any capacity.
Next to follow Johan out the door was the greasy haired Moroccan giraffe. He has moved across London to join West Ham on loan until the end of the season. Handy as he doesn’t need to sell the gaff. Chamakh has signed a 6 month loan deal again with no option to buy. Whether this was at the request of Arsenal or West Ham remains to be seen as not everyone involved with West Ham where entirely happy with the singing.
Reports also surfaced today that Sheffield Wednesday have entered into talks regarding a loan deal for Ignasi Miquel. Should this deal come to fruition that would leave us with 4 central defenders at the club one of whom is the much maligned Squilacci.
Our little tubby Russian has also been offered a chance to play elsewhere as Reading made a formal approach but his was turned down by the player. Couple this with his refusal to go home to Russia on a free transfer in the summer and he is starting to resemble Winston Bogarde a little too much for me.
If we look at the players who have moved on loan already coupled with those already out elsewhere a lá Bendy Boots and Denilson, one thing springs to mind with regards to lack of permanent deals. WAGES!!!!
Djourou is reported to be paid 50k a week, Chamakh 60, Arshavin 70 plus, Bendy 52k & Denilson 40k. By putting these players on such a high wage prior to them delivering anything of note we have crippled ourselves when it comes to selling them on. The reason clubs wont pay for permanent deals is because they would essentially have to sign them on free transfers to afford the wages that they are currently being paid at Arsenal. Can you see Juve paying Nicklas 52k a week, maybe if they could still use Lira, but otherwise it ain’t going to happen. As long as we continue to tie players to long term contracts based on their potential this will happen. Look at the recent announcement regarding the signing of the British core players. Aaron Ramsey is now on 60k a week FFS. I’m not a Ramsey basher by any means but he is never worth that kind of money. What happens if his form doesn’t improve and we have a situation where he isn’t getting a place in the squad. We are left with a 3 million a year waste of money as no other club will pay the wages he has become accustomed to.
When people talk about Arsenal not paying the wages required to sign top players it angers me and its the above reasons why. We have the money there, we just choose to reward mediocrity in a crazy way as opposed to world class talent. That’s why we miss out on these players and that’s also why I’m not holding my breath on any big name signings.
Rant over for tonight
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