Having spent last week dealing with Barcelona I would imagine this week will see more of the same for Arsene Wenger. Substitute the name Reyes for Henry, and another Spanish predator for Barca, and Le Boss has one more big money exit to transact before he knows exactly how much money he has to play with the put some meat on the bones of his squad for the coming season.
True, there is the matter of Flamini and Ljungberg to be resolved, but they will just have to wait their turn, neither being likely to set the cash tills ringing madly.
Depending on where you read it, Reyes will bring somewhere between £8m and £12m into the pot and that needs to be nailed down before the replacements start to arrive.
Looking at what remains the priority captures look likely to be at least one wide player (two if Arsene doesn’t think Walcott is quite ready) and a goalscorer.
Paper talk would have us believe Anelka is a likely target, and it has to be said he would not need to acclimatise to the Premiership. Time is something of a healer and I am not as opposed to this idea as once I was. I wondered if we would be prepared to pay a large sum for a 28 year old, and then the name Suker drifted into my mind from left field. Needs must, and all that.
Anyway, I am not anticipating any major arrivals until the Reyes situation is put to bed. Let’s hope, for a few more days only, we are a selling club.
One Response to “Next…”
I agree – I’ve been saying for a while that Wenger is sorting out his existing squad – extending contracts and selling – before looking to strengthen it. That way he knows what he has, what he’s missing, and what his budget is.
Of course, when Reyes does go people will continue to bemoan the lack of signings, but then the transfer window isn’t open until July 1 anyway so it’s a bit early to panic 🙂