I don´t believe for a second that Podolski is on anywhere near 100k at Köln. Also, if we in the end were willing to pay Nasri 115k per week then I don´t see why we shouldn´t be able to pay a player like Podolski in the vicinity of 100k per week.

In our wage structure Podolski isn't worth 100k a week. There are prob as many as 5-6 players who would deserve to be on more than him, which would open a big fat can of worms.

We pay our top players too little. If we can´t pay a German international entering his prime in that ballpark - then our wage structure needs to change. IMO it does need to change. There are no two ways about it. If we want players like Podolski we need to pay similar wages to what they could get elsewhere. Same with RVP. And Theo.

Cannon wrote:

If not them, we are gonna punt on some obscure/relatively cheap talent from abroad.

Like say Xherdan S and mohammed abdellaoue?

David Villa broke his leg this morning so Barcelona will probably be in the hunt for a striker. I wonder if it will affect their plans to sign Neymar.

fractured shin bone apparently. Isn't that what Sagna did? So out for about 2-3 months or so. You never know with Barcelona, but I reckon they'll keep their powder dry until the summer.

I thought the plan was to sell Villa to fund the purchase of Neymar but that was probably bollocks.

Dunno, not sure Neymar will even be on the move any time soon. I do think Barcelona will spend big on an attacking player in the summer, though.

linked with matias suarez today -yeeeeeeeeeeeees purleeeeeeease

Neymar probably already makes more salarynnow than any Arsenal player. He will probably only move for big bucks (both transfer and salary) to one of the bastard La Liga clubs.

Is he that good? Eight goals last season in the Belgian league doesn't strike me as particularly prolific.

4 days later

Wenger says he might have to look at getting a fullback in on loan in January.

"It depends now on Gibbs," Wenger told Arsenal Player. "He sees a specialist again today [Tuesday] and if something happens there that he has had a real setback then possibly, yes.

"It is not a shop, you just take a good opportunity that is on the market when you can. Overall that's what we are doing at the moment. We are starting to look at players if Gibbs is not back.

"On the other hand we have good news on Bacary Sagna because he has started to run again yesterday and today.”

Buy or loan - I'm not bothered, just bring in some decent cover

"it depends now on Gibbs"

Hmmm, bet the shitty lil runt patches himself up for a week then breaks down

Feel it's going to be Wayne Bridge.

Speaking of fullbacks, Real Madrid are said to have agreed a deal for Mario Fernandes who's supposed to be the best defensive talent to come out of Brazil in years.

:hmm: Did you have to mention that right after you've linked us with Wayne Bridge Captain?
He seems hopelessly and maybe permanently out of form to me.
I have a feeling that's he's the kind of signing we're going to get for the LB position though.
If indeed we get any.
😐

I thought we would sign him last week or whenever City had their xmas party and it just seems that we will. He's unregistered at City so a short term loan with us responsible for 40-50% of his salary would probably suit all parties.

He was unadulterated rubbish at West Ham.