Claudius wrote:

We were talking about Thuram last week. He was excellent in the u21 cup. I would’ve gone for him, but he wouldn’t be a Zaha alternative. Zaha is much more developed and central to offense than the superficial numbers suggest. I mentioned his dribbles though - he is very confident taking on opponents. He will only explode in value.

Agreed that he's more developed & important to Palace's play.  I think the article was more about similar styled options available for much less.

Two things I think of as potential influences on this saga being that we may not want to look at younger alternatives who may block the progression for the likes of Nelson & C0.  Secondly I wonder if Addidas are playing a part re their sponsorship deal, either in terms of regaining top4 or in regards to having a marquee type singing.  Both issues have been raised by MU supporters at work as Addidas is also their kit sponsor.

Just throw all our budget at Zaha - gamble that we’ll have a frightening attack

I could certainly see a noticeably improved bid coming forth if we miss Saliba. Club would have to show intent and get the fans back on board.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Just throw all our budget at Zaha - gamble that we’ll have a frightening attack

I agree. We are better off blowing our whole load on a single top player and leave gaping holes in the squad, than stretch our budget over several potentially sub-par players.

He's turning 27 this year. Dunno why the club is bothering with this when he's not that great, and has no commercial upside, which unfortunately a factor that has taken on more significance than ever

His age is a big concern to me too, especially given how ripped he is and how much it seems to mean to his game. I really think he could explode here, but for how long would he keep it up before physical decline sets in? Alexis fell off a cliff a month or two before his 28th birthday.

Looks like he has natural athletic prowess. He won’t lose it like Alexis. He’s more cut from the same cloth as Ronaldo physically

Elneny + Chambers + Jenkinson being valued at 40m is no less crazy than them valuing this rich man's gervinho at 100m.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Looks like he has natural athletic prowess. He won’t lose it like Alexis. He’s more cut from the same cloth as Ronaldo physically

He's had more injury issues than both of them though.

Injury record is a concern but he won't fall off the cliff because he don't play full season often. Abit like Rosicky who is as athletic as ever at 34.

deardevil wrote:

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Just throw all our budget at Zaha - gamble that we’ll have a frightening attack

I agree. We are better off blowing our whole load on a single top player and leave gaping holes in the squad, than stretch our budget over several potentially sub-par players.

We should not throw all our budget at a signing that even those who are advocating for admit is probably going to be a gamble.

Do we not fully comprehend the financial restrictions the club is operating under right now? Or are we willfully ignoring them?

I think everyone is aware of our financial plight and are depressed by it

First summer under Kroenke ownership.

This is really the summer for where we see the kind of club kronke is going to have and to be honest it's looking like everything I feared. I've already renewed my season ticket for the season but am massively disillusioned by the leadership at the club and it doesn't look like it will be getting better.

We are easily the poorest run team in the league in terms of the bigger clubs and we made out for ages how clever we were.

Ray wrote:

First summer under Kroenke ownership.

Hopefully some sheikh makes it our last.

Really don't get the hysteria. We weren't far off top four last season and the transfer window still has a couple weeks to go. Yeah, Kos is on strike but we're not gonna let him go unless we have a suitable replacement; even with his recent tantrum, if he were to stay, I'm fairly certain he'd get his shit together for us and play. Outside of that, I'm not sure I see any real drama. People are getting hyped up on minutiae as far as I can see and the window isn't even closed.

awooga83 wrote:

This is really the summer for where we see the kind of club kronke is going to have and to be honest it's looking like everything I feared. I've already renewed my season ticket for the season but am massively disillusioned by the leadership at the club and it doesn't look like it will be getting better.

We are easily the poorest run team in the league in terms of the bigger clubs and we made out for ages how clever we were.

United, easily.

Don Pacifico wrote:

Really don't get the hysteria. We weren't far off top four last season and the transfer window still has a couple weeks to go. Yeah, Kos is on strike but we're not gonna let him go unless we have a suitable replacement; even with his recent tantrum, if he were to stay, I'm fairly certain he'd get his shit together for us and play. Outside of that, I'm not sure I see any real drama. People are getting hyped up on minutiae as far as I can see and the window isn't even closed.

True but still bit concerning we haven’t signed anyone 6 weeks in and the clock is ticking.....

If Mislintat was still around, he would probably kill this transfer target and ask us to look at Zaha’s Cote d’Ivoire teammate Pepe. He offers similar explosive qualities, is a better creator and is about 5 years younger so will retain / grow his value.

If Mislintat was still around, we would have already signed Kuba.

€80 fucking million!
We hired Sven to get players like him for a fraction of that price.

Muswell Hill Gooner wrote:

€80 fucking million!
We hired Sven to get players like him for a fraction of that price.

and if we signed a raw 22 year old from angers for 10m people would be talking about our small time business while our rivals are buying ready made players.

Sven's tactic wasn't about offering peanuts and arguing over final details for weeks.
It was identifying the target and closing the deal quickly before the big boys got involved.
See Guendouzi.

a guendouzi type deal is the equivalent of pepe at angers.

A no Sven club is our current transfer window.
Hopefully Edu plugs that gap.

Meatwad wrote:

a guendouzi type deal is the equivalent of pepe at angers.

Are you saying people in general complained about the Guendouzi transfer? 

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

Meatwad wrote:

a guendouzi type deal is the equivalent of pepe at angers.

Are you saying people in general complained about the Guendouzi transfer? 

no they had the appropriate expectations (none) and were surprised by the contribution. this summer arsenal don't need to be surprised by any contribution from players they sign, they should be expecting it based on where we are as a club. so no i don't think arsenal supporters will be satisfied with the club taking a bunch of 10m flyers in the hopes of them turning out to be great in 2 years.

Ricky1985 wrote:

Claudius wrote:

If Mislintat was still around, he would probably kill this transfer target and ask us to look at Zaha’s Cote d’Ivoire teammate Pepe. He offers similar explosive qualities, is a better creator and is about 5 years younger so will retain / grow his value.

Who needs Sven?

[Twitter]

We don’t have this kind of money, but 80m€ is much better employed in this fashion. Tonight I will sleep with a goofy smile

Sicario wrote:

Don Pacifico wrote:

Really don't get the hysteria. We weren't far off top four last season and the transfer window still has a couple weeks to go. Yeah, Kos is on strike but we're not gonna let him go unless we have a suitable replacement; even with his recent tantrum, if he were to stay, I'm fairly certain he'd get his shit together for us and play. Outside of that, I'm not sure I see any real drama. People are getting hyped up on minutiae as far as I can see and the window isn't even closed.

True but still bit concerning we haven’t signed anyone 6 weeks in and the clock is ticking.....

Don't get me wrong, I get why it might be concerning. But I'm going to wait to see whether the club deliver - there's been so much upheaval behind the scenes the last twelve months, I think they deserve some time to prove themselves.

Sky reporting Wilf has handed in a transfer request. Are we still on the case ?

Yes. He’ll join us.

Palace will take our PAYG structure and like it

Loan for 10m fee with compulsory buy for 60m next season.

I think he offers us the best chance of top 4 but i think it will remain a long shot so i'm not too fussed if we don't get him as he has no resale value and also because i hate the idea of paying manu.

Palace sources were telling Dharmesh Sheth last week that Arsenal could still make a deal happen for Zaha if they "get creative" with their bid. Instalments, bonuses, possibly players. They were opening the door.

I'll try to find the tweet, but methinks Palace know Zaha wants to go and will not change his mind and they think getting a decent bit of money so they can get in some quality is the wise thing to do.

Throw Palace Chambers, Jenkinson, maybe Nketiah on loan.

Ray wrote:

Throw Palace Chambers, Jenkinson, maybe Nketiah on loan.

lets keep chambers, maybe he can help us.

id offer them xhaka, ozil, mustafi, mkh, and jenkinson in a swap for zaha. no cash involved

Yeah if they are interested in any of those guys, we should be giving them away.

We should keep Eddie , loan them Nelson.