I thinking we definitely paid "shitsters" more than other clubs did. I seem to remember our wage bill equaling the other top clubs' despite our top earners getting less than theirs.

It was something like 65m less than United and City a couple of years ago (for context, that’s an average of an extra 50k a week per player in a 25 man squad), 20m less than Chelsea who’s top earners are comparable to ours and less than Liverpool’s too.

JazzG wrote:

Meatwad wrote:

it's not about being average in the sales dept, it's about being irresponsible in the wages dept. a transfer is a 3 party agreement. when a walcott transfer is on the table the buying club isn't going to pay big money to arsenal and match his arsenal wages.

Yup, it was this stupid wage structure which has made it hard to offload certain players. Players like Carl Jenkinson on something like £50k a week, why would he leave for a paycut and no club will pay that. So you either are stuck with the player or you offload them cheap.

Wenger and the board thought it was a good idea to have a socialist wage structure (where difference between top and bottom earners wasn't as big as some clubs) to promote harmony within the squad. Only thing it achieved was to disgruntle our players who should have been on top wages and lump us with bang average players who were earning too much other clubs wouldn't touch them.

This post could not be more true.

It will take a couple of years to sort out. Poor players on very comfortable wages, making it really difficult to shift them. The only upside is, the market is so crazy, that we might be able to get movement on players who are priced low

Robin Olsen, who guarded the Swedish goal in the World Cup this summer, is due a medical tomorrow with Roma according to Italian and Swedish press. Alisson's replacement, presumably. Roma and FC Copenhagen have agreed on a fee around £12 million.

I think it's a good deal for both parties. He's a very good keeper who might go up a level with a new challenge.

Yeah I very much liked the look of him during the WC, relatively young too. Bit of a gamble but so was Alisson and that one turned out decent for them.

He's not that highly thought of in Copenhagen actually. Certainly no one here would have expected him to move to Roma pre-WC. That shows you what a good WC can do for your career.

Moutinho to Wolves widely touted for 5m. Him and Neves should make for a decent partnership. Wonder if they'll stick to 352 with those two guys in the middle with 3 cb's behind them and two wb's or change up to a 433 with those two partnered with a destroyer. Either way, am interested to see how they do.

It's done already, Moutinho to Wolves. 5m is a good bargain.

Mendes is worth his weight in gold if you can get him actively working for your club.

United and City have been a little quiet this summer so far given that we've got just over two weeks to go. Will be interesting to see if they keep their powder dry or if they do some late deals.

Yet they’ve both spent more than us!

Good point, at least United have, City haven't though it's close enough. Still it makes a change from the £150m+ summers they've been having. Of course it just take 1 big signing for each of them to make all right with the world again.

United is rumored to be trying to bring in Vidal. I’m sure he’ll cost them a pretty penny

Roma have confirmed the signing of Malcom. Cue a move to Liverpool next year for 100M.

Last minute uturn with malcom now talking to barca

BWoolley wrote:

Roma have confirmed the signing of Malcom. Cue a move to Liverpool next year for 100M.

and then a 150M move to barca a year or 2 later. barca said F it let's save 120M and 3 years and get him now.

Malcom has moved from Fulham through Everton, Roma to Barcelona in the matter of 2 weeks. That's one gifted youngster!

Edging out Dembele for us

Apparently Fulham now chasing Schurrle. Clearly Shahid Khan investing heavily - God knows to what end.

to stay in the league.