Seems like the Sesko noise is really picking up and I can't complain. Love his ball striking ability on both feet - it's something we are sorely missing outside of Trossard. Altering my list from the other day to include him:

  • Sesko (65m RC?)
  • Nico Williams (45m RC?)
  • Gibbs-White (50m max)
  • Doue (40m max - Saliba style investment)
  • Hato (30-35m max)

Ideally I'd also like to see us go for Gibbs-White AND Fofana but if we bring in Sesko, we likely will have to just bring in one midfielder and I'd prefer MGW but not sure if we are that interested.

—————————————————Raya
White (Tomi/Timber)—-Saliba (White/Tomi)——Gabriel (Kiwior/Hato)—-Timber (Tomi/Hato)
—————————Rice (Jorginho)
——————Odegaard (Vieira/Doue) —— Gibbs-White (ESR/Nwaneri)
Saka (Williams/Jesus/Doue)———-Havertz (Sesko/Jesus)——— Williams (Martinelli/Trossard/Doue)

Not saying that Williams would walk into the starting lineup - I think it would be a great competition for time between him, Martinelli, Jesus and Trossard, which is what we want. My only concern would be with midfield depth as it relies on ESR and Vieira kicking on this year. Alternatively we could shift them and bring in another midfielder like Fofana. If somehow we could get enough funding to bring in Bruno instead of Gibbs-White, that would be even more ideal. Zinchenko, Partey, Nketiah, Nelson are all moved on this summer in this scenario.

I think Wharton is great too. Would love us to pick him up as a Jorginho replacement next season if he continues to progress at Palace.

lorddulaarsenal

    If we really pass up on this guy in order to get some center forward who is just going to sit on the bench, then I'm going to become The Joker. I really don't think conventional wisdom has fully caught up to just how good Michael Olise is.

      Simons is a similar case.

      Infact sod it. Go and get Simons and Osimhen.

      Those two and we’d win the league

      Are you lot all forgetting we need at least one goalkeeper as well this summer? Rambo will be off. I guess we can use his fee to buy a replacement. Or maybe two keepers if Hein is a heinie and doesn't signie.

      DiabyKungFu We were strongly linked to him before he joined Palace. Sounds like Chelsea all over that one, haven't seen us linked at all.

        DiabyKungFu He's exceptional, but I get a strong vibe we're not that into him because of some detail of "specificity", such as him being left-footed

            Guess I am in the minority wanting Osimhen over Sesko. Osi is exciting and hits the ground running IMO. Sesko is one for the future and hence a bit of a gamble.

            I have big concerns over Osimhen's ability on the ball, availability and his inconsistent finishing compared with his price. If he was available at around the same fee as Sesko, it would be a much different proposition to me but paying over 100m release clause on top of rumored high agent fees and salary demands would take up a large percentage of our transfer budget this summer. I have no doubts he would be effective in our team and score goals but he's almost 5 years older than Sesko, who is already putting up comparable numbers in a top league and doesn't have the availability concerns that Osimhen has. Sesko would also give us the flexibility to introduce him more slowly as a backup to Havertz until he's ready and then we can explore setups that incorporate both. Mostly it gives us the freedom to spend money elsewhere and raise the floor of the overall squad, which is what I think our number 1 priority should be. If we are going to spend big on any one player, I'd rather it be Joao Neves.

            We are talking about Sesko like he's a sure thing already...

            There are no sure things when switching leagues IMO but it's tough to ignore the production of Sesko over the second half of the season when he really started to hit his stride. His production in the league this year as a 20 year old was pretty on par with 24 year old Osimhen (14g/2a vs 15g/3a) while playing 400 less minutes in the league. I think Osimhen is a lot rawer of a player than he gets credit for due to his incredible season last year. I'm sold personally.

            i've moved on from osimhen. good footballing ability, bad availability.

            i say we cut out the middle man and sign a player like Brajan Gruda directly from Mainz instead of waiting for a mid to top German club to buy him and then try to sell him for 80m in a year or two (unless it's Bayern who will just keep him forever).

              Clrnc would take in a heartbeat, even if it means we dont get a CF, much better than most we have been linked to.. versatility is a big bonus as well... Needs to be permeant or strong buy option though.

                  Coombs It could well be. He and Eze are mad chess players apparently—we should definitely sign go nerds instead where possible.

                      Seems like Olise knows chess but Eze doesn't, really.

                      I have developed an irrational liking for Eberechi Eze. I am not sure why but i'd love to see him at The Arsenal.

                      P.S. - I think its the attitude with which he plays.

                        Cannon It's not irrational at all, he's a lovely footballer to watch. Great guy too, by all accounts.

                        Plus, for us to sign him would be a hell of a story given we released him as a kid. I'd be super happy to see him in our colours.

                            RocktheCasbah Yeah, Its just I am not sure how he would fit in tactically hence i said 'irrational'. Agree on everything else you said. Would be a great story and very special if we end up winning the PL with him in the team.

                              Nico Williams
                              Xavi Simons
                              Youssouf Fofana
                              Desire Doue

                              FDJ or Guimaraes
                              Back-up goalie if Rambo leaves
                              That's it.

                              5 days later

                              Segway Just throw everything we got at Joao Neves? Looking forward to watching more of him tonight.

                              €120m is what they're asking for, that is a hell of a lot even if he is a great talent.

                                I would be very intrigued if we could somehow end up the summer with:
                                Joao Neves
                                Amadou Onana
                                Nico Williams

                                Neves to be the technical complement to Rice and develop into a world class partnership. Onana to provide duel winning in tough away games as a partner for Rice and deputize for him when he needs rest. Nico to provide much needed transition threat in behind and competition for Martinelli/rotation for Saka. It certainly wouldn't be cheap but probably could get all three in for 210m (120m RC Neves, 50m Onana, 40m RC Nico).