Unfortunately I think that's the direction in which Wenger's heading this summer.
I don't see him adding "big name" or coveted players who are starting XI quality unless he needs to replace players such as Nasri, Cesc possibly Arshavin and Clichy.

The idea that he'll hang onto Cesc and Nasri and pull off a major name signing seems less and less plausible to me.

The names that we're being linked with suggest to me that he's more interested in improving the quality of our most used substitutes.

Nela wrote:

See this is the type of signing we should be making to compliment the squad we already have. A compliment to players like Nasri and Theo who are finally becoming productive players.

Instead, it feels like we're looking at Hazard as a replacement for someone given the uncertainty surrounding Cesc and Nasri.

That's the feeling I get too. It's insane so expect Hazard to replace Nasri without a year or two of development in-between. That's a year or two that we don't have. Paying Nasri whatever it is he wants and bringing in Hazard after that would give us the kind of depth we need to compete next season. Replacing Nasri with an expensive talent will just make us weaker.

I'm not liking the part about him replacing Nasri. Would just set us back a year or so in that position. I think he can be better than Nasri, but we should keep Nasri for now at least.

think this is the guy that would give me the biggest buzz were he to sign

Same.

His feet and posture remind me so much of Ronaldo.

If Wenger just signed this guy and Cahill, and didn't shed Nasri or Fabregas, I'd be able to enjoy the rest of my summer

Caligula wrote:

If Wenger just signed this guy and Cahill, and didn't shed Nasri or Fabregas, I'd be able to enjoy the rest of my summer

Agreed. I'd be hopeful we could do something next season if we did that, although ideally I'd like to see a couple more coming in too.

Caligula wrote:

If Wenger just signed this guy and Cahill, and didn't shed Nasri or Fabregas, I'd be able to enjoy the rest of my summer

yep it would crush all the uncertainty and wash away the glumness around the club, and it should be within our means

swapping denilson for willian and getting guys like alvarez would just be icing on a nice cake

Tim, we would still be thin at the top, but we would have signed men who could quickly go on to be our best attacking midfielder and defender respectively. These are the types of signings we need to execute.

What about the left back situation? Clichy needs to sign or we need someone there too.

Caligula wrote:

If Wenger just signed this guy and Cahill, and didn't shed Nasri or Fabregas, I'd be able to enjoy the rest of my summer

Rather a really good forward than Cahill if we are restricted to two signings.

left back's a major problem but no left back is gonna lift this gloom

if we sort out central defence and attack we can carry that left back position a wee longer and address it next time round - lets be realistic, there wont be sweeping changes

1. Tell Cesc in no uncertain terms that he aint leaving.
2. Give Nasri the contract he wants.
3. Put in a bid for the best available centre back you can find (Cahill, Sakho etc). Even if you have to pay a bit over the odds, we need to make a big signing to get some positivity back about the place.
4. Start negotiating for Hazard, while actively looking to sell off the dead weight.

Wenger should be the one setting the tone for the market, not leaving pricing to be set by the likes of City and Barca. Just go in, pop out some cash-money and sign some players quickly. If Chelsea, for example, feel like the Neymar situation is too complicated, they might just turn around and offer 30m to Lille and take Hazard as a replacement for Neymar. Same thing with United regarding their Nasri/Young pursuit. We need to act fast while other teams are seemingly distracted by their top choices

It doesn't work like that mate.

The players more or less know at all times who is in for them and their agent will tout them around to all of the big clubs at the mere sniff of a possible transfer.

If Chelsea look like they're 80% likely to get Neymar then, you, as an attacking midfielder, need to think hard about what other teams are saying. The minute Neymar deal fails, you become that much mroe attractive to Chelsea, and Arsenal goes down your list. The players are weighing these things all the time. Ashley Young might be a hard one to get right now if United are all over him, but if United got, eg, Bale, then he might have to consdier Arsenal or other options more seriously. It's not simple, but I do think this type of dynamic is at play

I honestly think Young would choose us over Man U if only we agreed a fee with Villa.

Young isn't made for the North. Only muggy northern monkeys are really.