Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Dante Lavelli]

Haven't Spurs spent most of the Bale money already... they have had a bit of a shopping spree so far this summer.

Agreed.  I think they've been pretty clever this summer (in this instance).  They've bought a 20m-ish midfielder, a 7m winger and a 26m striker.  They couldn't normally afford such spending but they know they'll get it back from the Bale sale at some point.

If bale stays they might sneak 4th in which case they might convince bale to stay (and get the chumps league bounty).  Fail to get 4th and they sell him for 80m and the new young players are more established.

[Matt Collins]

Spurs are really gonna threaten arsenal this year for fourth. I'd make them favourites with the current squad.

[Monty]

Spurs are really gonna threaten arsenal this year for fourth. I'd make them favourites with the current squad.

They haven't yet lost Bale and have gained Paulinho and Soldado. If the transfer window were over now they'd be looking very good.

[Ian.]

I still think Arsenal will be contenders for the top. I would not underestimate them. I'm quite surprised so many are.

[ozzjim]

They need 4 big players to be anywhere. Winger has been disastrous in this windows.

[cheltenhamlion]

Spurs have been spending the money and trying to replace Bale all summer. All we need now is for him to leave.

[Concrete John]

I still think Arsenal will be contenders for the top. I would not underestimate them. I'm quite surprised so many are.

If you mean contenders for the top 4 then I don't think anyone is writing them off in that regard.  If you mean fir the very top, as in the title, then only if they spend about £100m. In the next couple of weeks.

[eamonn]

Someone mentioned it on the thread about it being the best time to play Arsenal as they will be likely at their weakest squad-wise and have no form to build on (unless you count pre-season and...well, who does?) and suddenly I feel a lot more confident about the game.

[Dante Lavelli]

They need 4 big players to be anywhere. Winger has been disastrous in this windows.

Someone in the Sun (spit) suggested that Lewandowski would be available to Arsenal (so Dortmund get some cash - 20m - and he doesn't strength Bayern).  To me that sounds a much better deal than 40m for Suarez.  With the left over cash they could get Fellani.

Those pair would strengthen that squad no end, for relatively little money considering what they make each season.

[Keeno]

@Dante - Yeah you're right - and as a 'pure no. 9' Lewandowski is far superior to Suarez IMO... he likes to play off a main striker a bit and the Arse already have enough of those types of players as it is. Probably would be cheaper than what Liverpool want for Suarez too.

Also - is anyone watching the U21s right now? Can Lambert please fork out 10m for Will Hughes, tomorrow? cheers

[LeeB]

@Dante - Yeah you're right - and as a 'pure no. 9' Lewandowski is far superior to Suarez IMO... he likes to play off a main striker a bit and the Arse already have enough of those types of players as it is. Probably would be cheaper than what Liverpool want for Suarez too.

Also - is anyone watching the U21s right now? Can Lambert please fork out 10m for Will Hughes, tomorrow? cheers

Neither are in Bentekes' class for me.

I genuinely believe that.

[Keeno]

@Dante - Yeah you're right - and as a 'pure no. 9' Lewandowski is far superior to Suarez IMO... he likes to play off a main striker a bit and the Arse already have enough of those types of players as it is. Probably would be cheaper than what Liverpool want for Suarez too.

Also - is anyone watching the U21s right now? Can Lambert please fork out 10m for Will Hughes, tomorrow? cheers

Neither are in Bentekes' class for me.

I genuinely believe that.

Oh I agree for the most part! (I think RL is a little more lethal in front of goal, and is proven against some of the best CBs in the world) If he has a good WC next year and they come sniffing around, no less than 35m.

[ozzjim]

Arsenal should have got Caulker, Lewendowski, probably Benteke even, and a top centre mid like Fellani. They would have walked top 3 even 2. Instead they have dicked about with a racist biting ball off trouble. Just poor management.

[Monty]

Lewandowski's better than Benteke I think, but not by a huge amount (and he's a couple of years older), and Suarez is a very different player. £35m sounds about right.

[LeeB]

Lewandowski's better than Benteke I think, but not by a huge amount (and he's a couple of years older), and Suarez is a very different player. £35m sounds about right.

I don't think Lewandowski's anything like the power, pace or range of goals in him.

Suarez can play, but he's a wasteful little shitbag who's no good to a team with a strong work ethic. Not that he's lazy, just only interested in himself.