We know the Spanish press are, at the best of times, transfer crazy. Especially in the summer. There are four newspapers dedicated to sport, the majority of the pages are filled with football stories, and there really are no stones left unturned for them to fill copy.
For example. In El Mundo today they talk about a ‘secret deal’ between Arsenal and Barcelona, confirmed to them by officials of both clubs, that will see Cesc move to Barcelona before Friday for a fee of no more than €45m. I mean, really.
Meanwhile, Sport says Arsenal won’t negotiate and Cesc feels ‘deceived’ by Arsene Wenger, amongst many other tedious and semi-fictitious things.
So, having seen more than a few Manuel Almunia to Osasuna stories this morning I thought I’d check out all four Spanish sports papers. None of them are running this story because, I assume, it’s just been made up by the English press. As I pointed out the other day Osasuna officially denied the story to a local newspaper (eng translation), on the back of the initial story in the Metro. So, I really don’t think there’s anything to this.
I’m not doubting our willingness to let him go, by the way, but the major obstacle to any move is the money that Almunia is on at Arsenal. It’s not exactly a huge salary compared to other players at the club but it’s a long, long way ahead of your average goalkeeper’s salary for a mid-table Spanish club. Arsenal, if they really want to move Almunia on, may find themselves having to contribute to his departure with more than a handshake and a gold carriage clock.
As players like William Gallas, Jimmy Bullard and even Sol Cambpell are finding out this summer, clubs just don’t have the kind of cash they used to. Chucking £80,000 a week at a player in final throes of his career is, at last, being seen as rather a silly idea. The lucrative Bosman is no longer assured. So when a club with fewer resources is looking for a player from the Premier League it’s proving very difficult for any deals to be done – and that’s assuming there’s anybody interested in Almunia in the first place.
In some ways Arsenal have made a rod for their own back in this regard. There are players on contracts which are some way away from reality. The policy of rewarding potential is most assuredly a gamble. If it pays off Arsenal have a player with excellent future, secure on a long deal. If it doesn’t, Arsenal have a player on a salary which is way above his level and which he’s going to find extremely difficult to match elsewhere. It means that should we decide to try and move on one or two of these players it becomes almost impossible. Potential suitors are put off by the salary demands and the player who will go somewhere else to earn less money is a rare beast.
So while we wait for players to come in we ought to mindful of how difficult it’s going to be to move some out, and I’m told that behind the scenes that’s exactly what we’re trying to do. It does make the enormous squad at Man City quite amusing though. It’s one thing trying to sell a player whose wages are a bit high, imagine how difficult City are finding it to get anyone to pay close to what they paid for Adebayor as well as matching what they’re paying him every week. Ooops and har har. Maybe they need a brochure.
Anyway, back to the real world, and Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen says he’d like to join Arsenal to play with former teammate and international colleague Thomas Vermaelen. He then sells himself wonderfully by saying he’s never played alongside him at centre-half. He’s nearly 6’3 though, way too tall for us.
There’s some vague, second half reporting of our interest in Italian keeper Federico Marchetti. Cagliari’s president reckons we’re after him but you know how these things go.
My foot is all fine at the moment and I’m all ready for the new season. I feel good. My foot’s not causing me any problems and there has not been a lot of reaction to the metalwork I had in there.
Which just goes to show you the damage that was done when he picked up the injury. I’ve got high hopes for Gibbs. At the very least he should provide proper competition to Gael Clichy whose performances, particularly in the second half of the season, had the stench of complacency to them. When there’s nobody pushing you for your place that can happen and it’d be great to see Gibbs give him a real run for his money this season. I discount Armand Traore from this as he is to defending what Harry Redknapp is to poker faces.
Tonight’s game against Austrian part-timers SC Neusiedl 1919 kicks off at 6pm, coverage via the official site.
And finally for today, if you fancy the Emirates Cup this weekend, check out the competition which gives you a chance to win tickets for both days as well as an exclusive stadium tour. The competition is brought to you in association with Emirates Airline who offer special fares to Arsenal Members.
Winners will be announced on Thursday, you’ve got till Wednesday midnight to get your answers in. Right, that’ll do. More tomorrow.
