If Vermaelen is allowed to leave we need a back up goalkeeper, a right back, 2 CBs, a central mid, a winger and a striker. There is just no way it will get done.

Claudius wrote:

anyway, back to Vermie. who would genuinely miss him if we got someone of, say, Smalling's quality?

never rated him so i definitely wouldn't miss him. i hated when one of kos or merte were out, he unnerved me.

Rex wrote:

If Vermaelen is allowed to leave we need a back up goalkeeper, a right back, 2 CBs, a central mid, a winger and a striker. There is just no way it will get done.

easy and i'll throw in a left back while we're at it:

ruddy - 6m
aurier - 8m
ricardo rodriguez -10m
ogbonna - 6m
schneiderlin - 15m
alexis sanchez - 30m
swagotelli - 25m

100m

use ignasi miquel as 4th choice - free

incoming: cesc, vela and verm money (20m?)

will we spend 80m net? probably not, but it's not like this is some impossible task. i think we should do what needs to be done.

What you have above is an impossible task. simples. when have we ever brought in 4 top tier starters?

that's a lack of ambition (or financial muscle), not an impossibility. not like i'm asking for javier martinez, alexis sanchez, cavani and others. all those listed are very gettable and would make our team formidable.

I'm going to close this thread unless it reverts back to be a discussion on the future of TV.
We already have multiple threads discussing the detail of the what ifs, buts and musts of this transfer summer.

😆 That's actually the best post of the thread so far.
Might leave it open a while longer now.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Curved screens are the future of TV

😆

Rex wrote:

The only reason I am not too keen on him leaving is that there would be so many signings to make. Have zero confidence our lot will get the job done.

If he goes it's one added signing. Hardly a big deal.

qs! wrote:
El Genio de Oviedo wrote:

Right but he could move somewhere on the continent and get guaranteed games for most clubs. Maybe not at CL level but still

I don't think there are too many places he can move, be at a massive club, realistically hope for CL next season and get a big pay rise.

We're in agreement on that. I guess I just wonder if it's that important that he plays, whether he would take a step down to the Spurs, Wolfsburg, Lyon level teams where he could paid equivalently and be an undisputed starter.

If he's looking to join another big club, then this would be as good of an opportunity that he would receive

Don't mind him leaving but not to a rival for fucks sake. And I doubt Wenger would replace him properly.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Curved screens are the future of TV

😆

Jed wrote:

Don't mind him leaving but not to a rival for fucks sake. And I doubt Wenger would replace him properly.

Going off his performances the last two seasons i'd prefer selling him to a rival.

Whenever I think of Vermaelen all i can remember is his fuck up at Old Trafford to gift Van Persie a goal.

We won't buy more than 3 players this summer.

No way we are sorting out a spare CB on top of all the other work.

#PrayForDickLaw

qs! wrote:
Rex wrote:

The only reason I am not too keen on him leaving is that there would be so many signings to make. Have zero confidence our lot will get the job done.

If he goes it's one added signing. Hardly a big deal.

When you already need 5 players (6 if you include a winger), then it is a big deal. Bear in mind, took us most of the summer to add just a couple last season, one of which was a free transfer who was already training with us. Fact is, we'll struggle to add the players we already need, no point adding another to the list.

Thats the thing isn't it. Wenger would probably just call it quits after a striker and the 3 replacements have been bought. He doesn't like signing 5+ players.

I'd be fine with Vermaelen leaving otherwise. Wouldn't even be bothered that its to United. Its only a problem when you sell your best players, not guys who can't even make your best side.

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen dismisses talk of a move to Manchester United

He told Sky Sports News: "I know there has been a lot of talk and a lot of rumours but the only thing I can say is that it's not true.

"Everybody understands my situation at Arsenal and that I have one year left.

"I understand that people are going to talk but I am here in Brazil and I am enjoying my time and I'm focused on what I am doing."

Vermaelen refused to be drawn on whether he has held talks with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger about his future at the club.

He added: "We talk a lot when I am at Arsenal but it's not what I am going to discuss here, it is something you are going to have to ask him."

Still hoping for us to give him a proper contract extension. There won't be a better 3rd CB around.