Arsenal
Transfer Rumours – Cheer Up, It Might Never Happen!
I religiously read a Football Transfer Rumours APP on my phone on the train to work each morning. In the last 24 hours, I have read about Wayne Rooney’s move to allmost all possible clubs out there, Strootman and Alcantra to Man United, Darren Bent’s transfer to Championship side Leeds United and Scott Parker’s impending move to QPR, following their relegation to the second tier. I have to wonder, am I wasting my time? Is someone just making this stuff up?
I just tapped “transfer rumours July 2012″ into Google, to see what was occupying the back pages towards the end of last summer’s transfer window,as the 2012/2013 season approached. I list below the first four stories I came across (genuinely the first four I read).
(1) Clint Dempsey – Fulham to Liverpool.
There’s a report dated 18th July 2012 from a U.S. website, announcing that the deal to take the American international to Anfield had been completed. Numerous other UK papers report his impending move to Liverpool, some state that a fee and personal terms had been agreed. The legitimacy of the story was further supported, in a number of articles, by the loan of Andy Carroll to West Ham; leaving Liverpool short of attacking options as the new season approached.
Dempsey signed for Spurs on 31st August 2012 for £6 million on a three year contract.
(2) Dimitar Berbatov – Manchester United to QPR
On 31st July 2012, The Times was reporting that Mark Hughes would make “a hat-trick of raids on his former club” (having already signed Ji-sung Park and Fabio on loan), by completing a permanent deal for the Bulgarian Berbatov.
On 31st August 2012, Berbatov signed a two-year deal with Fulham.
(3) “Andy Carroll and Hugo Rodallega to Fulham?”
This was the headline in The Guardian on 12th July 2012. Andy Carroll was at Liverpool and appeared not to be part Brendan Rodgers’ longer term plans. Rodallega was a free agent having allowed his contract to expire at Wigan Athletic. The story was repeated elsewhere too, The Mirror claimed “Fulham will make nabbing the striker [Carroll] a condition of Liverpool’s signing of Clint Dempsey. So, a Rodallega-Carroll strike force looms at Craven Cottage”.
Andy Carroll joined West Ham on 30th August 2012 on loan for the 2012/13 season. The same day that this article was published, Rodallega did indeed sign a 3 year deal with Fulham.
So on the face of it, not a bad success rate. However, Rodallega was all but a done deal; and the article also suggested José Bosingwa to Lille (he joined QPR), Defoe to Reading (he remained at Spurs), Rafael van der Vaart to the United Arab Emirates (he signed for Hamburg) and they were really unsure about Junior Hoilett, suggesting any one of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Newcastle, Tottenham, Fulham or Everton (he signed for QPR).
(4) Robin van Persie – Arsenal to Juventus
On 1st August 2012 The Mail Online reported Van Persie to Juve was a ‘done deal’. They quoted a FIFA agent, who claimed “…Juventus have had a signed contract with Van Persie for some time.”
Van Persie joined Manchester United on 17th August 2012 for an initial £22.5m, on a four year contract.
I continued to read on, and while I was looking at last year’s rumours, I followed a link to manutd.com who compile a list called ‘This Month’s Rumours’, which consolidates transfer stories involving the club and is sourced from each major news media corporation. Manchester City provide something similar and so I pulled together the latest news and put into the graphic shown, based on this summer’s rumours. If these stories are all to be believed, this is the possible starting line-up for the Manchester Derby next season. The changes to the team would be even more dramatic, but the rumour mills do appear to favour a story about a striker or a creative midfielder, rumours about defensive players are very thin on the ground and so the teams are relatively unchanged in the defensive positions. I’ll leave it to your own expertise and judgement to determine how likely these line-ups are for next year.
This made me think, I wonder what was being predicted by manutd.com (their official website) a year ago and how accurate that turned out to be? Here’s the list of players rumoured to be signing for United in July 2012, again sourced from stories in major newspapers and by television corporations:-
Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
Victor Wanyama (Celtic)
Ezequiel Cirigliano (River Plate)
Jese Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Christian Eriksen (Ajax)
Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid)
Moussa Dembele (Fulham)
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos)
Lucas Moura (Sao Paolo)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle)
Demba Ba (Newcastle)
Fernando Llorente (Athletic Club)
Axel Witsel (Benfica)
Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Julio Cesar (Inter Milan)
Joao Moutinho (Porto)
Mats Hummels (Bor.Dortmund)
Leighton Baines (Everton)
Luka Modric (Tottenham)
Of the 21 players listed, United actually went on to sign just one; Robin Van Persie (who the media had also claimed would be joining Manchester City and Juventus, by the way). That’s not even a 5% success rate. Interestingly, I couldn’t see any rumours about the potential purchase of Alexander Buttner. Buttner was United’s only purchase after Van Persie last summer, he joined from Vitesse Arnhem just a few days after his fellow Dutchman; seemingly under the media radar.
Given the resources, intelligence and in-sider contacts that journalists of these large media organisations must have, I would have anticipated a much higher success rate. Maybe I am being naive, with the money involved in the game now and the importance of the negotiations financially, for all parties involved, it’s important that discussions remain confidential. Players don’t want the fans to know they have negotiated with umpteen clubs, they have image rights to negotiate at their new ‘home’, and the fans perception is vital. So perhaps we shouldn’t expect to find out what’s happening at our clubs until deals are almost in place. These stories sell papers (and iPhone APPs), but lots of rumours rarely help the clubs or players involved in a move.
So, let’s enjoy reading about our team’s next star signing or debating the merits of accepting or rejecting that imminent £30 million bid for our current top player. But don’t get too excited nor too downhearted about the latest rumour, it may never happen.
I think I’ll just play Angry Birds on the train tomorrow…
Arsenal
Emily Fox Commits Arsenal to Championship Treble Pursuit as USWNT Defender Targets Every Available Trophy Following Consecutive PFA Recognition
Emily Fox has articulated explicit championship ambition for Arsenal, establishing the club’s comprehensive trophy pursuit philosophy requiring unwavering commitment across all available competitions.
The United States Women’s National Team defender’s unequivocal assertion that elite institutions “have to go for all of them” combined with her consecutive PFA Team of the Year recognition establishes credible foundation supporting genuine championship aspirations rather than merely aspirational rhetoric.
Arsenal’s narrow previous season defeat through draw accumulation combined with their Charlton Athletic 5-1 demolition establishes encouraging competitive foundation suggesting tactical sharpness supporting their championship objectives.
Fox’s immediate second-half impact despite not starting validates her elite status transcending purely starting lineup consideration, suggesting her availability provides meaningful tactical flexibility supporting Arsenal’s demanding fixture schedule throughout their multi-competition campaign.
Elite One-Versus-One Defending Provides Championship Foundation
Fox’s characterisation as elite one-versus-one defender combined with her ability to “surge relentlessly down the right flank” establishes complete attacking and defensive profile meriting championship-level confidence.
Her PFA recognition reflecting her dual-faceted influence across both ends of the pitch validates her significance extending beyond purely defensive responsibility, indicating genuine elite performer capable of meaningful attacking contribution supporting Arsenal’s creative requirements.
That comprehensive capability combined with her demonstrated consistency establishes credible foundation supporting Arsenal’s multi-trophy pursuit.
Draw Accumulation Represents Championship Addressable Challenge
Arsenal’s previous season single loss contrasted against their six-draw accumulation establishes quantifiable competitive adjustment requirement rather than fundamental capability deficiency. That marginal defeat suggested by draw patterns rather than defensive collapses indicates realistic trophy pursuit achievability through continued tactical consistency and draw-conversion improvement rather than requiring wholesale squad reconstruction.
This statement feels strategically important for Arsenal’s competitive trajectory. Rather than pursuing conservative single-trophy focus, Fox and Arsenal establish ambitious championship mentality demanding elite performance consistency across all available competitions. Her championship commitment combined with her demonstrated elite capability positions Arsenal favorably for sustained trophy pursuit throughout their anticipated season.
Arsenal
New UEFA Regulation Blocks Arsenal From Away Fixture Against Slavia Prague as Champions League Draw Implements Consecutive Opponent Restriction
Arsenal have discovered their comprehensive Champions League group phase opponents following yesterday’s draw, establishing their competitive schedule whilst navigating newly implemented UEFA regulation preventing consecutive away fixtures against identical opposition.
The regulation denying Arsenal’s away travel to Prague combined with Liverpool’s blocked Anfield Real Madrid fixture establishes systematic competition balance philosophy limiting repetitive home-venue matchups across three consecutive seasons, suggesting deliberate competition structure enhancement prioritising varied competitive experience.
Arsenal’s previous season 3-0 Prague demolition combined with their current away-fixture prevention establishes genuine competitive advantage preservation rather than purely administrative regulation, validating UEFA’s systematic approach toward ensuring fresh competitive challenge distribution.
That regulatory framework combined with Arsenal’s established grouping suggests meaningful competitive foundation supporting their European championship aspirations following their previous season Budapest final disappointment.
Regulation Implementation Prevents Competitive Staleness
The regulation prohibiting three-consecutive-season identical home-venue fixtures between same opposition establishes competition diversity philosophy suggesting UEFA recognises value in fresh tactical challenges across multiple seasons. That systematic approach spanning multiple elite clubs including Liverpool alongside Arsenal suggests comprehensive competition restructuring philosophy rather than arbitrarily targeting individual institutions, indicating genuine competition-wide implementation rather than selective application.
That regulation combined with Arsenal’s established grouping establishes meaningful competitive foundation supporting sustained elite challenge throughout their group phase campaign.
Arsenal’s Comprehensive Grouping Establishes Elite Championship Foundation
Arsenal’s pairing with Real Madrid home fixture combined with Bayern Munich away establishment alongside their additional elite opposition encounters (Dortmund, Lille, Napoli, Betis) establishes genuinely demanding group phase schedule requiring sustained elite performance consistency. That competitive balance combining established elite opponents (Real Madrid, Bayern) alongside ascending threats (Lille, Dortmund) suggests meaningful championship-level testing supporting their European ambitions.
This regulation feels strategically important for Arsenal’s European trajectory. Rather than viewing the Prague away-fixture prevention as disadvantageous, their comprehensive grouping combined with their Real Madrid home advantage establishes meaningful foundation supporting their championship defence objectives.
Their Budapest final disappointment combined with this season’s elevated competitive scheduling suggests genuine opportunity for meaningful European progression throughout their demanding group phase campaign.
Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus Trains Separately From Arsenal Squad as Napoli Pursue Serie A Striker Target Ahead of Transfer Window Closure
Gabriel Jesus has been training away from Arsenal’s established squad structures as negotiations continue regarding his potential Napoli departure, establishing genuine transfer uncertainty transcending purely speculative transfer gossip.
Massimiliano Allegri’s explicit preference for the Brazilian striker combined with Napoli’s continued pursuit suggests substantive engagement rather than peripheral interest, validating Jesus’ separated training status reflecting genuine transfer progression likelihood.
Jesus’ contract expiration approaching next summer establishes genuine Arsenal leverage motivating their attempted final-window cash generation, suggesting institutional recognition that current transfer opportunity represents their last meaningful financial recovery prospect. That urgency combined with his training separation indicates deliberate negotiating position rather than purely disciplinary measure, validating Mikel Arteta’s transparent communication regarding individual player management during transfer uncertainty periods.
Napoli Pursue Strategic Striker Solution Following Lukaku Departure
Romelu Lukaku’s Fenerbahçe agreement established necessary financial foundation enabling Napoli’s Jesus pursuit, suggesting systematic striker replacement philosophy supporting Allegri’s tactical requirements. That structured approach indicating Napoli’s deliberate attacking reinforcement strategy rather than reactive desperation suggests genuine championship-level investment supporting their Serie A competitive objectives.
Jesus’ reported hesitance regarding Napoli relocation combined with Napoli’s measured pursuit suggests potentially contentious negotiation requiring sustained diplomatic engagement transcending purely financial arrangement.
Arteta Maintains Transparent Player Communication Throughout Transition
Arteta’s explicit recognition of individual player circumstances combined with his emphasis upon meaningful conversation quality establishes mature management philosophy prioritising honest engagement during transfer uncertainty. His characterisation of difficult conversations as “inevitable” combined with his satisfaction regarding their substance suggests appropriate institutional handling of complex personnel situations requiring simultaneous competitive focus and individual player accommodation.
This transfer situation feels strategically important for Arsenal’s financial planning and squad management. Rather than pursuing indefinite Jesus retention despite his evident transfer interest, they facilitate realistic transfer negotiations whilst maintaining squad professionalism.
That balanced approach combined with their recognition of his contract timeline suggests pragmatic institutional decision-making supporting long-term squad sustainability throughout their upcoming competitive campaign.
- Liverpool14 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal14 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines14 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal14 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”
- Arsenal14 years ago
Nike Are In A Three Way Battle For Shirt Sponsorship With Arsenal, Man United And Man City