They briefed that there was no money in the summer too and then we offered £100m for Lemar. Just ignore it - if they want to spend, they will.

Klaus wrote:

We effectively lost 60 million this season because we're not in Champions League. I don't think the importance of that tournament, as far as signings are concerned, can be overstated.

The attraction of the CL to potential players of course can not be overstated true. That was not my point though.

We may have lost possibly £60m to the CL due to non qualification. That said the PL TV money that started coming in last year more than dwarfs any potential CL money.

It's why some of the likes of Everton and Bournmouth are able to buy players for 45m and 25m respectively.

Captain wrote:

They briefed that there was no money in the summer too and then we offered £100m for Lemar. Just ignore it - if they want to spend, they will.

That's my thinking. It's clear we have money to spend. They're probably just tempering expectations and disappointment from fans who are looking forward to more signings.

Big Willie wrote:

Klaus wrote:

We effectively lost 60 million this season because we're not in Champions League. I don't think the importance of that tournament, as far as signings are concerned, can be overstated.

The attraction of the CL to potential players of course can not be overstated true. That was not my point though.

Neither was it the point I was making.

We had tv money last season too. It didn't count much in terms of signings, wage caps, etc. I think it's clear that we have a lot of cash reserves, but those aren't what set the budget.

Honestly I thought this rumor had nothing to it, just like Mbappe's in the summer. It could be because I'm not entirely sure where he's going to fit in our current team. It's not like we're going to drop laca, are we going 442? Auba won't play wing back and I'm guessing mkhi will play where sanchez was? Or is he dropped? Something doesn't add up and I hope it's not ozil leaving....

And I'm assuming we're not going to be dropping one of our defensemen or midfielders. As if we're not weak enough there....

We're not as bold as then, but Wiltord was also our club record signing for some time and was never fully first choice. I don't see why Lacazette shouldn't sit if other players are considered better options.

naz wrote:

It's not like we're going to drop laca

How so? Wenger barely started him until Giroud and Welbeck got injured, he gets subbed off all the time, and he just went through a long dry spell. What exactly about Lacazette screams undroppable aside from his transfer fee?

Klaus wrote:

Big Willie wrote:

The attraction of the CL to potential players of course can not be overstated true. That was not my point though.

Neither was it the point I was making.

We had tv money last season too. It didn't count much in terms of signings, wage caps, etc. I think it's clear that we have a lot of cash reserves, but those aren't what set the budget.

Exactly my point mate. The money is there yet they keep claiming we don't have any which leads to the question of what are they using or earmarking the funds for.

The PL TV money kicked in during last season and more than offset what we lost due to the CL. Yet we ended up making a profit with apparently no funds towards the end of the season and then ending up bidding 100m for Lemar despite only expecting to receive a fraction of that from Sanchez' proposed move to City.

So it is clear money is available if needed despite what the club would have us believe. If there really isn't then we need to start wondering what is happening with the money.

Big Willie wrote:

Klaus wrote:

Neither was it the point I was making.

We had tv money last season too. It didn't count much in terms of signings, wage caps, etc. I think it's clear that we have a lot of cash reserves, but those aren't what set the budget.

Exactly my point mate. The money is there yet they keep claiming we don't have any which leads to the question of what are they using or earmarking the funds for.

I didn't say we don't have money though (and neither did Ornstein's tweet; it just said no more funds were available). I said that Champions League is a massive factor when it comes to making new signings. We spend whatever the club is willing to spend, and without Champions League they budget for less transfer expenses. It's just how we operate. I think it's bullshit too, but if you want a bunch of new players you better hope we make it into Champions League next season. Otherwise this summer is going to be just as frustrating as the ones preceding it.

Klaus wrote:

naz wrote:

It's not like we're going to drop laca

How so? Wenger barely started him until Giroud and Welbeck got injured, he gets subbed off all the time, and he just went through a long dry spell. What exactly about Lacazette screams undroppable aside from his transfer fee?

That's just it. He's skilled enough (not super) and he has a massive transfer fee behind him. Like captain says, we're not bold enough to drop him. I could make a similar argument for why xhaka keeps playing even though he's plain average. You might be right, I just don't see it likely which leaves me concerned about losing ozil.

Klaus wrote:

Big Willie wrote:

Exactly my point mate. The money is there yet they keep claiming we don't have any which leads to the question of what are they using or earmarking the funds for.

I didn't say we don't have money though (and neither did Ornstein's tweet; it just said no more funds were available). I said that Champions League is a massive factor when it comes to making new signings. We spend whatever the club is willing to spend, and without Champions League they budget for less transfer expenses. It's just how we operate. I think it's bullshit too, but if you want a bunch of new players you better hope we make it into Champions League next season. Otherwise this summer is going to be just as frustrating as the ones preceding it.

Not arguing with any of that. I agree. Think the confusion is based on my use of the word money. I used the word money interchangeably with funds or transfer budget. That said I did also used money in terms of club revenue. Reason for this is to compare the effects of a lack of CL money has on the club's revenue when compared with the new PL TV revenues that both became effective in 2017. I was originally using this difference to see whether this would really have an effect on the funds we could have towards transfer. I'm just questioning the club's claims that there are no funds available based on the following scenarios I could envisage:

1. Whether there really is money and the aim is to not show their hand to other clubs.

2. Whether there is money but they are putting self imposed restrictions on the budget meaning we have have less to spend than some bottom half of the table teams.

3. Whether there really isn't any money at all that can be diverted towards transfer funds due to it being needed elsewhere.

If it's question 1 then it's a bit counterproductive given that the way we behave has led opposition teams hating to negotiate a sale of a player to us.

If it's question 2 then like you said, it's all a bit bullshit and shows a complete lack of ambition.

If it's point 3 then you have to question the way the club is run financially and where the inefficiencies lie.

Whichever scenario is true, it is hard to accept the club's claims that there is no money left for transfers. Especially when they have seen how the transfer game is changing. They only need to look at what players end up costing each successive window. It's like we don't learn that hoarding money without reinvesting is a futile effort that results in a lower purchasing power in subsequent years.

Aguero, this weekend’s hat trick hero, usually rides the pine at City. Elsewhere, Martial, Who will eventually cost more than Lacazette has had to fight his way off the United bench as well. If Giroud goes; Lacazette will be perfectly fine in my books as a 2nd choice striker. Isn’t that the type of quality option we need?

They're just pleading poverty. Standard stuff. And means they're probably in discussions for players now or plan to be this month.

It was only two days ago, Ornstein was saying that we hope to get Sanchez/Mykhitarian sorted, Aubameyang in and then switch to getting in defensive reinforcements.

[Twitter]

Go on, Ivan. Get it done!

That's actually Huss Fahmy, the contract guy we took from Team Sky, not Sanllehi.

More pictures:

[Twitter]
I was right, it is Fahmy - things must really be progressing. Pictures were taken by Bild btw and so are legit

This is the best transfer thread we've had in years.

All we need now is a pic of Gazidis and Aubameyang in a rollercoaster...

What kind of name is that ? Huss Fahmy ?

Time to bring the youtube vids out yet?

Can you imagine if we tried to recover from Sanchez sale without Mislintat?

Claudius wrote:

Can you imagine if we tried to recover from Sanchez sale without Mislintat?

Sell Alexis and bring nobody in. Pretty much.

nice to see gazidis rolling with a deeper, younger squad

dick law, bless his heart, seemed a bit long in the tooth for the wiles of modern football

Didn't know Bellerin made music.

Kicker saying that Giroud will go the other way on a 6-month loan

That's not a good deal for us. We will need Giroud.

Don't allow Giroud to go. You need a target man.

I agree. Otherwise, Welbeck will move up the CF pecking order

Giroud barely got to play without Aubameyang. If we sign him, I don't think we need Giroud, though I like him a lot.

If we have Aubameyang and Lacazette then Giroud needs to leave. I'd be sad to see him go but I don't want to see him rot on the bench either.

Keeping Giroud as 3rd choice would be daft. Playing 20 mins each month is a role reserved for kids like Nketiah, not for an international looking to start for France at the world cup in the summer.

Besides, his level has dropped significantly since taking the bit part role. He'll be of no use to us.

Honestly, the only reason Giroud would need to go was to guarantee a spot on the French national team for this summer, which I actually don't think is something he really needs to worry about regardless what people say. He will be in the squad as long as he's fit. I would prefer it if he didn't leave, since he's still our plan B, even if Aub comes (IMO)

Don't get me started on the concept of a plan b! The idea that you need one is one of the biggest myths perpetuated in football imo.

If Giroud is going, then it surely means that we won't play two upfront? If so, Laca is going to be benched or played as winger which is... ahem... not ideal.

Who says we need to play the same way no matter who are available? We should be flexible.

Klaus wrote:

This is the best transfer thread we've had in years.

All we need now is a pic of Gazidis and Aubameyang in a rollercoaster...

Reminds me of the Arshavin deal.

Really would love getting him, been awhile since I got excited by who we signed.

Sorry boys I'm out of the photoshop business.

I've long thought Alexis' role should be more like a forward/striker anyway. So what would start out as a 4-2-3-1 should evolve into a 4-2-2-2 when we have the ball.

goon wrote:

Don't get me started on the concept of a plan b! The idea that you need one is one of the biggest myths perpetuated in football imo.

oh, i dont know about that.  considering the amount of goals Giroud has scored after coming on as a sub in the past season and a half, i would say its not exactly a myth..  maybe if you consider it a tactical switch for a large target man who can score goals in and around the box, that's reason enough IMO to keep him

Circumstantial evidence in my opinion, who's to say it's not just because we brought on a good striker? We and plenty of other teams have scored late goals without changing style.

I feel like if you think you need a plan b then what you really need is to improve plan a. Nobody ever says the very best teams need a plan b.

I like having a plan B. If you've played 70 minutes of ball on the floor and can't break through throwing on a big man and getting the ball into the box at head height is a great option.