July 12th
Let’s start with what’s probably the very last Beastwatch: It seems the reports of him wanting to stay in Spain are not mere conjecture and a deal now looks unlikely although not still impossible. No doubt there’ll be gnashing of teeth amongst those who had built him up to be the summer star signing but there are other irons in the fire and at the end of the day it wouldn’t matter if Arsenal offered £100m if the player himself decided he didn’t want to come. It’s a bit of a shame though, the idea of him battering defences was rather a nice one.
The Patrick Vieira transfer speculation goes on and Juventus are still linked despite Luciano Moggi saying “He costs too much. He’s also too similar a type of player as Emerson, and we will not be selling Emerson.”
You do have to wonder where all the stories are coming from. It’s unlike Arsenal to be in any way open about transfer dealings, either in or out, so it’s either Italian sources stirring things up a bit or a ‘leak’ from Vieira’s team of advisers but that’s hardly likely. They don’t have any form when it comes to that kind of thing. Oh. Reports this morning suggest Juve will make an official bid of money plus players for the captain with Jonathan Zebina and Steven Appiah mentioned as makeweights in the deal. Zebina in particular is a very good player and would be a more than decent addition to the squad.
Chairman P Diddy Hill-Wood is quoted as saying “I gather Juventus have made inquiries but we’re very undecided whether we are going to talk to them or not. Patrick’s aware they’ve approached us. It all very much depends on what they offer and what he wants to do. We have not decided what we want to do, but my gut feeling is we would very much like him to stay”
Maybe, for a laugh, we should say we want him to stay all summer long and then at the last minute change our minds and sell him. Now that’s what I call payback.
Alecksander Hleb on joining Arsenal despite interest from Chelsea. “I gave them my word and saw no reason to go back on it. I’m sure I’ve made the right choice. Arsenal are a club with huge ambitions, who expect to win trophies every year. I can’t wait to step out at Highbury wearing an Arsenal shirt. I visited the ground for a League match against Liverpool towards the end of last season and the noise of the crowd sent shivers down my spine.”
There was also some non-story invovling Gilberto and Villareal but I can’t be arsed going to find the link now. Imagine we sold both him and Vieira though, and having let Edu go. Ooooh. It can only mean a revolution in Arsenal’s midfield with a new 4-1-5 formation with Cesc all on his own in midfield. No problem for the Catalan Kid though. Right, I’m off to work, have a good day folks.
