We can probably go through the squad and make decent list of players that meet your criteria and in isolation it would probably make sense. But, looking at the situation as a whole I’m not sure it helps us much this window unless we deliberately commit to shrinking our squad for the season.
For example, Endo wouldn’t fetch much of a fee or remove much from the wage bill while any incoming replacement would likely involve a not insignificant fee and/or wage. Same probably for Chiesa.
I think we will see Andoni get more from them than Arne did/ would have so the benefits from keeping them probably outweigh that of moving them on (if there is the interest available to do so).
Do you think Endo and Chiesa will add much though? Especially with us having 4 wingers if Barcola joins plus Nyoni and maybe Bajcetic?
I don´t know Endo´s wage so maybe I am way out here but let us say 100k. That´s 100k a week saved this year but also next year. And that 200k a week over 2 years could be a new very good player next summer no?
You might be right though. Great guys so would love them to be contributors.
Part of the calculus is also what the player wants to do. I think Endo for example, recently said that he intends to see out the last year of his contract here. My guess is all parties will honor that.
I think we would have more sway to move Ramsay on, as he needs to try and forge a career out for himself.
When it comes to Chiesa, we might need to take a financial hit to see him move, so the fee would be minimal. Arguably we would subsidize his wages, or if not, we might need to accept a free transfer depending on offers received and our need to free up a spot.
Yeah, their cost to the squad is relatively low so not much playing time is needed for them to provide value if we’re not seeing any further signings after Barcola (assuming it goes through).
Chiesa is a total wild card. He’s an obvious candidate to move on and make way for someone who can contribute, but a big part of me still feels his struggles have been more down to not vibing with Slot than of a true reflection of what he’s still capable of. Endo has never been at the level that Chiesa was at his best, but its not that dissimilar for him where you can very much see how Iraola would have more use for a healthy version of him than Slot did.
I still hope that we will buy Wharton and pair him with either Nyoni, Szobo and Grav. Macca leaves to get us money and Jones goes to the bench as usual.
Can’t help but feel like Lewis-Skelly would be a fantastic opportunistic signing if available.
Covers full back positions to a good level and has been shown to be a great player in midfield. Big reason Arsenal survived their end of season wobble in the league.
It seems that Arsenal does not intend to offer Lewis-Skelly to us.
OTOH, we can get Morton at a cheaper price than the likes of Wharton and Scott, plus we have a sell-on clause on him which is effectively a discount for us. He is doing very well at Lyon, but none of the Big 6 teams are following him.
Pfft, Tyler Morton, ripping it up in the French league which has a super high intensity and is a far far more competitive league, where any team can be champions!
The Morton ship has sailed and so I think the best thing to do is just enjoy from a far how well one of our grads is doing. He scored a lovely goal in the CL qualifiers this week https://x.com/BenBocsak/status/2087293137743954332?s=20
Really tough to know what our actual budget but based on us wanting Barcola you could say it´s 100mil at least. Doesn´t seem like many exits are on the cards to increase that budget.
Quite a few gaps to fill. If we don´t get Barcola, do we buy a considerably cheaper winger and a promising RB like Doue maybe?