The Official Summer 2011 Silly Season Thread

[d_phaneuf]

didn't realize John O'Shea was worth 11.9999999999999999999m

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Phil Jones for 16m to Manchester United

OliverKayTimes Oliver Kay
For those asking re Phil Jones #MUFC deal, he's just arrived at England U21 camp and he's in high spirits. "Rumour" appears to be rubbish

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

OliverKayTimes Oliver Kay
For those asking re Phil Jones #MUFC deal, he's just arrived at England U21 camp and he's in high spirits. "Rumour" appears to be rubbish

I think he was talking about the rumor that Jones failed his medical with ManU, and not the actual transfer.

[d_phaneuf]

ya just saw that as well

think it's a great deal for United, can't imagine Smalling is happy

Rio won't be a regular next year, but Vidic still has a few years left, and from what I read Fergie rates Jones a lot higher than Smalling

[Addick]

Title says it all.

Arsenal Had Jones Bid Accepted

8 June 2011
Arseblog News

According to Arsenal blog We are the North Bank, and verified on Twitter by Express journalist Matt Law, Arsenal had a £16m+ bid accepted last night for Blackburn’s Phil Jones.

While many would question if a 19 year old, relatively inexperienced centre-half would have been the answer to Arsenal’s defensive issues, it seems Arsene Wenger was ready to break his transfer record for the England U21 international.

Complete Article

[d_phaneuf]

couple reporters sort of insinuated that for all intents and purposes Jones/his agents and Fergie had all ready agreed to a deal last year, but Fergie wanted to wait until next year to bring him over

and Liverpool and Arsenal's interest this summer forced his hand to act now

[Nuje]

I kinda cracked up at Addick's quote, when it said that Wenger is willing to break "his transfer record", I wanted to make some sort of a joke about how that must be about 10 quid, but I'm not that witty today.

[Addick]

I should stop reading Nasri stories, it's making me dislike the kid. I'm now interested in what his team mates are thinking.

Arsenal Refusing To Break Wage Structure For Nasri

9 June 2011
Arseblog News
Nigel Brown

The future of Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri remains heavily in doubt with the Gunners hierarchy refusing to break the club’s wage structure to keep the Frenchman at the club.

Speaking to Arseblog News a source close to the club revealed Nasri has requested wages in excess of £110, 000 with talks officially breaking down between the player and club at the end of April.

With the future of Cesc Fabregas also uncertain the Arsenal board must move quickly to make a decision on presenting a final offer to Nasri, with the source admitting that Wenger has made preparations for life without the 23-year-old while also revealing that Nasri is currently more likely to depart than sign a new deal at the Emirates stadium.

Complete Article

[Addick]

Even if we do get the Belgian, we'd still need a long-term replacement for Nasri's creative playmaking role.

Exclusive: Arsenal Make Contace With Lille For Hazard

9 June 2011
Arseblog News
Nigel Brown

Arsenal have made contact with Lille regarding the summer transfer of Belgian international Eden Hazard.

A source close to the player revealed to Arseblog News that the Gunners are in discussions with the club regarding a move this summer, however, the talks are at an early stage with more news expected next week.

Negotiations have stalled over the contract of playmaker Samir Nasri while the future of skipper Cesc Fabregas is still uncertain, and Wenger is actively looking to strengthen the Gunner’s squad ahead of the new season.

The source explained that both clubs were in talks over a move although details will remain private, with the Belgian international tipped to replace Nasri at Arsenal following the club’s refusal to break the club’s wage structure to keep the 24-year-old.

Complete Article

[d_phaneuf]

Klose signed a 2 year deal with Lazio

[Addick]

SAF must seriously be kidding himself. I'd love to see two of his top targets disappear with a Nasri for Sneijder player exchange between Inter and Arsenal.

United Step Up Nasri Pursuit
Sir Alex Ferguson Determined To Land Arsenal Schemer

9 June 2011
Sky Sports

Skysports.com understands Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri.

Speculation has intimated Nasri is on United's radar and skysports.com has now learnt he is the club's top target.

The talented French schemer's reluctance to engage in contract talks with Arsenal until he is satisfied their transfer targets are of the required standard to mount a title push next season has alerted Sir Alex Ferguson to his possible availability.

Complete Article

[d_phaneuf]

This story on why Kolo Toure felt he needed to take drugs has nothing to do with a transfer, but it more than makes up for it by being incredibly silly

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...-condition-fat

[d_phaneuf]

bunch of Arsenal stories this morning

Arsenal fear Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy could leave

Page last updated at 12:53 GMT, Friday, 10 June 2011 13:53 UK
E-mail this to a friendPrintable version
By David Ornstein
BBC Sport
Nasri (left) and Clichy have one year left on their contracts
Arsenal fear that midfielder Samir Nasri and left-back Gael Clichy could leave the club this summer.

The pair have only a year left on their deals and Nasri, 23, has been linked with Manchester United, while Clichy, 25, is a rumoured target for Liverpool.

Their more significant concern is over the Nasri situation.

But the Gunners, who could also face a fight to keep Cesc Fabregas, stress that the door is open for Nasri and Clichy to negotiate new deals.

After a sixth season without a trophy, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to strengthen his squad this summer.

He is likely to make one signing from France but that it is unlikely to be Eden Hazard, who has been linked with the club.

However, Wenger's hopes of ending the club's trophy drought will be dealt a blow if he loses both Nasri and Clichy.

Nasri signed for the Gunners in July 2008 from Marseille and has publicly stated his uncertainty over his Arsenal future, while not ruling out a move to Manchester United.

The France international scored 15 goals in 45 games last season and was the outstanding performer for Wenger's side in the first half of the campaign.

Clichy has been at Arsenal since the summer of 2003 and, even though he is one of the club's longest-serving players, the impact of his exit could be limited with Kieran Gibbs a ready replacement.

The prospect of losing the two players will only heighten the concerns of Arsenal fans. Barcelona are again being linked with inspirational skipper Fabregas and, in addition, Manchester United-bound Phil Jones turned down a move to the Emirates from Blackburn.

Wenger has signed the 19-year-old defender Carl Jenkinson from Charlton and been heavily linked with promising Southampton winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but those arrivals are unlikely to appease disgruntled fans.

Gibbs hasn't really progressed as quickly as it was thought he would, Clichy would be a huge loss

Diaby admits to wearing Spurs shirt
June 10, 2011
Email Print
By ESPNsoccernet staff
Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has risked angering Gunners fans by admitting that he owns a Tottenham shirt and wears it when he is at home.


GettyImages
Abou Diaby will struggle to win back the fans' trust
Diaby, 25, has come under fire for his performances on the pitch for the club this season and is now likely to face both barrels from the stands as well, after he revealed his liking for Arsenal's bitter North London rivals.

He told the Sun: "It's [the shirt] more difficult to wear in the street. There you are not safe."

The shirt was given to him by friend and fellow France international Younes Kaboul, who Diaby would also like to play alongside at club level. He said: "It would be good to play for the same club one day."

Meanwhile, Arsenal team-mate Johan Djourou says that Lille striker Gervinho - rated at £10 million - would be a great summer signing for the club.

"I have followed a bit of the French league this season and I have to say Gervinho is a great player," said Djourou at an event for his Kemi Malaika Foundation in Senegal.

"I have known him for a long time and he is just a great player & quick, with so much talent and good skills. He is a great, great talent and we need that because he can play as a striker, as a No10 or on the wing. He has all the ingredients to play for Arsenal, that is a definite."

Is he looking to become the most hated Gunner?



and a couple of writers on twitter are saying Liverpool are massive favorites to sign current England golden boy and future England failure Connor Wickham, who the media are all ready trying to destroy by constantly comparing an 18 year old to Wayne Rooney

SkySportsMobile Sky Sports Mobile
Sky sources: Ashley Young will conclude his move from Aston Villa to Manchester United when he returns from holiday.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Gibbs hasn't really progressed as quickly as it was thought he would, Clichy would be a huge loss

It could be, or it could be a huge chance to correct this problem before it gets out of hand. While Clichy can be great, he's prone to mental errors and doesn't seem to be developing further. It might be our chance to actually improve in this position and get a real Top 4 quality LB.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Is he looking to become the most hated ex-Gunner?

Hopefully, hopefully.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Addick

It could be, or it could be a huge chance to correct this problem before it gets out of hand. While Clichy can be great, he's prone to mental errors and doesn't seem to be developing further. It might be our chance to actually improve in this position and get a real Top 4 quality LB.
.

You don't think Clichy is?

outside of Cole and Baines I thought he was the best LB in the league last season

that's not saying much though, RB and LB seem to be the absolute hardest positions to find a quality player in

if they are great going forward they just get turned in to a winger (Bale, Bastos) if they are good defenders they get moved to CB

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

You don't think Clichy is?

Defensively, he's not the best decision maker. A lot of the time he'll make the right decision, but he also makes the wrong one with an alarming regularity. When you tally it up at the end of the season, these mistakes are too costly. You can get away with it if you're a mid-table club but not when you're competing for a European place or the title.

[d_phaneuf]

Betting suspended on Charlie Adam to Liverpool

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Addick

Classy European Champions...

I like how they're basically just taking Cesc Fabregas. The use of the term 'amortized' is hilarious. It almost sounds like they told him to suck the whole year so they could sign him on the cheap during this window.

To be fair, Fabregas had a pretty brutal season this year by his usual standards.

[d_phaneuf]

Neymar's agent says he is close to signing with Real Madrid

Fabio Contrao as well

there is going to be another VDV-type signing because there squad is just too big and they will cull a few players quality players to get under the 25 man limit

[d_phaneuf]

Alan Shearer likely taking over as Cardiff manager today or tomoro

this is the best news of the offseason by far, by far

MOTD just became 100000000000000000x better