july 20th
Ok, take this whatever way you want to, but I’m told Ray Parlour will be joining Boro, ending his 103 year association with Arsenal. Not really a surprise given the revelation from his agent, Steve Kuttner (also Vieira’s agent who’s obviously trying to retire early on commission fees this summer), that Arsenal would not be renewing his contract next summer. Ray wants first team football and he’s more likely to get it at the Riverside than at Arsenal next season (provided we don’t lose anyone else, of course).
I have to say I did think about whether or not to go with this story. It’s not confirmed yet, and after the last story I thought it might be best to hold off, but I’m sure you’d rather know about things that don’t necessarily come off than not know about them. So there you go.
AW has said he’s looking to bring in more players this summer. Talking to Arsenal.con he said “There is still a possibility someone will come in soon, one or a maximum of two. There is a big possibility that one player will join us before the season starts.”
The likelihood is that the ‘big possibility’ is Hatem Trabelsi. We shall see. The Sun has us linked with Steven Gerrard saying we’re going to tempt him with a £90,000 a week deal. It would be very tempting, but there’s a pretty strict wage structure at Highbury and bringing in the low-browed Scouser on a higher wage than Henry et al is most unlikely, especially after his ‘I luv de ‘pool, la’ speech a couple of weeks ago.
I’m away most of the day flat hunting, so no doubt there’ll be all kinds of exclusives and stories breaking all over the place. Keep your eyes on the news ticker.
