Why do we think that we will spend to try and win the PL? I just don't see why we would change the ONE thing about us that has been constant for the last 10 ish years? 4th is Gold.

It costs a lot less that trying to win, and leaves a lot more profit, whilst still keeping the faithful dangling along with a carrot that nobody truly believes in. Once they have paid off the debts ... bit money for the board. Why spend any of it when they can just hold onto it instead?

4th is in our blood, it is i-n-s-t-i-n-c-t as the Pub Landlord would say.

Because even the most frugal millionaire still buys Rolex watches and nice cars.

I think we'll probably spend on at least one major signing.

I can't say who: I sincerely doubt the club knows who it would be either. They'll be sniffing around for a top-tier bargain just like last summer.

Top tier bargain? We didn't achieve that last summer

Nope but they sure tried ...

i really wish they'd closed the Higuain deal before the Suarez opportunity appeared. once Suarez came into play, there was no way a sane man would've wanted to close the Higuain deal

"Anybody who has played with Mesut will tell you how intelligent he is as a player," Lahm told Goal. "His vision is probably the best I have ever seen and that is why it is so important to have the right striker ahead of him.

"He is a dream for strikers and you saw that with [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Karim] Benzema when he was at Madrid. If Arsenal can find the right striker who is fast and makes intelligent runs - then Mesut will be devastating next season."

Mind your own business Lahm.

maybe we should take Lahm and make him a striker. seems to be able to play everything

who would you guys take from the current Madrid team from Benzema, Khedira, Di Maria?

Khedira. I think he would be beneficial for both Ramsey and Özil.

it's a really tough question this. they each give us something we lack sorely

• Benzema: a mobile forward who can get on end of Ozil's passes
• Di Maria: versatile left-sided midfielder who breaks down defenses with his direct runs (ask Bale about this)
• Khedira: great ball-playing 2-way CM who would just be an upgrade on Tet, and would also replace Tet as another 'captain' on the field.

I go with Khedira though. we need to solve the midfield base sharpish, and he might be had for less than 25m pounds

Khedira, though only if he's repaired enough to last the rigours of a full PL season.
If there's any chance he'd be in and out with injuries I'd take Di Maria ahead of him.
No matter how much I try to see it otherwise I'm not getting the Benzema vibe.

We could definitely use someone like Khedira. His recent injury is a concern though. My main objection to the other two is that Di Maria doesn't score much while Benzema is hiding behind other players. I think there are better forwards to be had this summer and I think we should go for them if we have that kind of money available.

Claudius wrote:

maybe we should take Lahm and make him a striker. seems to be able to play everything

who would you guys take from the current Madrid team from Benzema, Khedira, Di Maria?

Khedira I think, we need him the most. Di Maria is tempting though.

Benzema - we need goals, what Lahm says is obviously true.. Benzema movement is top class
We arguably have the best creator in the game, if we dont try and maximize that this summer, Wenger is an idiot

None of those three are ideal. Khedira would have to learn how to play the pivot and is coming off a serious injury, and Schneiderlin is a better option IMO who would be significantly cheaper. We won't sign a winger who didn't score 15 goals last year. We have enough playmakers even if Di Maria is an upgrade. Benzema isn't a killer but he'd be my choice of the three. Besides Cavani I can't think of anyone better than him who might be available (and Big Ed likely won't be available).

Super Mario is better than Benzema.

Khedira is good but he's a bit dated in style

Claudius wrote:

it's a really tough question this. they each give us something we lack sorely

• Benzema: a mobile forward who can get on end of Ozil's passes
• Di Maria: versatile left-sided midfielder who breaks down defenses with his direct runs (ask Bale about this)
• Khedira: great ball-playing 2-way CM who would just be an upgrade on Tet, and would also replace Tet as another 'captain' on the field.

I go with Khedira though. we need to solve the midfield base sharpish, and he might be had for less than 25m pounds

Aha, you've changed your tune about striker being the priority then?