Yeah, there is always opportunity cost. I was only referring to Arsenal in the market. More often than not we have lamented the club's refusal to go an extra mile and spend the few million more that could have added quality to the squad. I personally will not be dissatisfied if we overspend now. We lack creativity and solely a Xhaka replacement won't change that. If we are spending to add Maddison who I believe is a super talent, White and a midfielder then we are immensely changing the quality of the team throughout.

Maddison is a super talent? You guys have gone crazy.

The way we are bidding left right centre for players at decent prices, you have to imagine the spending won't just stop here after these 3 players.

To be fair if we really signed Lokonga, White and Maddison who are we left to spend? Just a starting RB and a CM? Backup LB won't cost much. That's 50% done. Keeper too if Leno leaves but probably fees offset each other.

Not too worried that Maddison will take up bulk of our war chest, but rather if at that price range are there better options around?

We need 2 central midfielders. Xhaka is going and we needed one before that.
But these are good noises.
We should also be comfortable with the idea that this team is too damaged to solve in one summer. If we sign 3 good players, it might be unfair to go crazy at Edu for not getting a new right back or goalie etc

Quincy Abeyie wrote:
Rohit wrote:

Maddison at present is also a much better passer than ESR, an aspect in my opinion ESR can greatly improve upon. I know the fee could be really high but if his signing doesn't restrict spending on other areas then he will be a fantastic signing. 

I get what you mean, but every signing restricts spending in other areas. Whatever amount we end up spending, the question will be, if we buy Maddison for 60-70m, whether there would've been other ways to spend 60-70m that would've improved the team more.

That's on Edu and Arteta to manage. I suspect what you'd find though is that even if you saved £20-30m by going for a cheaper No.10 and allocated that to the centre midfield fund, the talent pool you have to choose from is still largely the same. 

Klaus wrote:
Coombs wrote:

What's the point of good scouting and development if you can't use those players in the market? You don't just "develop" a first team. It's unsustainable and usually impossible. Taking players from other teams in the league is also important, it deprives them and other rivals of that player.

Okay but how does this relate to guys like White and Maddison? Neither even made it into the English Euro squad. That's not saying I don't rate them or don't think they would improve us, but what are they if not more potential? They're not exactly established top class, nor are they terribly young.

I'll give you White but Maddison is a big player already. Like I said before he's not my favorite, but this kind of signing is something I think Arsenal should be trying in every window. I'd much prefer Grealish overall, and Maddison has a Spursy quality about him, but he makes goals happen at the top end of the PL table. Besides my aesthetic issues with the kid, his injury record is the real risk here. Otherwise, I'd argue he is very much a top class player.

Ok in the surprising negativity about such a good player linked with us, injuries worry aside let me give you guys something to be excited about.

James Maddison has created 230 chances in the PL since making his debut in 2018-19, 148 more than any player for #Arsenal, while only KDB has created more in the division during this period (252). 11 goals from outside the box is the most & 5 direct free kick goals, only 2nd to JWP who has 8.

How much would Savic cost?

Ray wrote:

How much would Savic cost?

Probably not much. Going to turn 31 and although a mainstay in Atleti defence can't imagine they would demand a lot.

Why would we want him instead of White though?

jones wrote:

Probably means SMS

from what ive watched of him (very limited) i wonder how he'd cope with the pace of the premier league

Clrnc wrote:

Ok in the surprising negativity about such a good player linked with us, injuries worry aside let me give you guys something to be excited about.

James Maddison has created 230 chances in the PL since making his debut in 2018-19, 148 more than any player for #Arsenal, while only KDB has created more in the division during this period (252). 11 goals from outside the box is the most & 5 direct free kick goals, only 2nd to JWP who has 8.

Are people being negative or some folks just saying Grealish is better. One thing is for sure - we can never be satisfied. But this would be a superb addition. As much as I wanted Odegaard, I think this would be better buy. I’d also be excited to see an Arsenal team that can field Saka, Maddison, ESR. Suspect that would give us some more cred with referees to have an English national team core together.

My problem with this is the fee.

Maddison came off a so so season, where effectively Leicester can feel like he is not a nailed on starter.

Yet here we are with £60mil

For that money you get Aouar and Tchouaméni. Or Locatelli and one of them for around 10-15mil more.

That is real value and how we should be moving in the market.

mdgoonah41 wrote:
Coombs wrote:

Ox is a perfect example of a risk you'd want another club to make, and then poach him if he gets good. Selling a player for profit only counts for something if you buy someone better with the money.

i dont know, i think big clubs do both at the same time. a good transfer strategy involves looking for the bargains, the young english players who havent exploded yet, and making one or two big signings a window to find ready made solutions for gaps in the squad. this summer, we should be spending big money on a world class, established CM. we should be spending the rest of our funds looking at younger players in the less than £20m range who havent yet established their profile who we can develop alongside the saka, ESR, martinelli group

Totally agree with you when it comes to English players.

I like that in Maddison you have a reliable performer that goes into the 3 behind Aubameyang. He knows the league so hopefully should adapt quickly. ESR and Saka are young. Let’s give them the space and safety nets to develop comfortably.

ohboy!!! wrote:

My problem with this is the fee.

Maddison came off a so so season, where effectively Leicester can feel like he is not a nailed on starter.

Yet here we are with £60mil

For that money you get Aouar and Tchouaméni. Or Locatelli and one of them for around 10-15mil more.

That is real value and how we should be moving in the market.

Tchouaméni is a defensive player so not sure about that comparison. Aouar looks a talent but even he'd be like £35m+ and you're signing a player imo who is behind in his development and then there is the question of him adapting and settling into this league. As Pepe has shown that isn't always a given and can take longer than you'd like. Maddison you get someone who is proven in the league and counts as home grown, I don't agree with it but you pay a premium for that. A premium the likes of Alex Ferguson was always happy to pay, his core was built around homegrown or players he bought from this league.

Maddison's previous season down to injuries rather than quality, that would be my big concern with him.

Maddison is a decent player, but I would prefer we signed someone either with better acceleration or someone who releases the ball quicker.

Yeah someone more dynamic who draws opponents in and brings others in to play

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Yeah someone more dynamic who draws opponents  in and brings others in to play

You're describing Emile Smith Rowe.