Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Not really. Players are always going to command a higher premium moving to clubs in the same league, don't ya think? Watching Sky Sports News this morning, it seems Arsene has hit "panic buy" - I don't think I have ever seen Arsenal do this.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

There would be a premium but not that high. Bolton value Cahill at £17 million whereas this deal looks to be around £10 million. :erm: Nice bit of business there. I think Bolton overestimated the strength of their hand, as I mentioned previously there are many players of the Cahill class - Mertesacker being one - and he has one year left on his contract while Bolton are mired in debt. They better hope the deal fall through or Spurs/Liverpool match their valuation by the close of play tomorrow.

I don't think 'panic buy' is apt. The Korean striker has been in the workings since last week and we've been chasing a CB for a while now, if anything the insistence not to overpay for Cahill is an example of the club continuing to operate calmly and in character. Whereas the deal for the left-back Santos has also been on the cards as Traoré has just signed for QPR.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Concrete moves faster than Mertesacker does.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Which in my view is the only drawback. He is commanding, tall, excellent reading of the game and the direction of the ball and as a consequence of all that he is excellent at set-pieces. Not only that but is a pretty good and clean tackler.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

John Terry isn't the fastest defender around ?

M'Vila deals dead. Samba deal is now supposedly back on. Elias in Turin via private jet.

Owen Hargreaves having medical at Man City.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

I would love to gloat at Arsenals thrashing by MU, but being a Spurs fan I'm keeping my head down.

What a weekend its been, Manchester 13 - North London 3. :(

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Hope not. Don't see it happening if we get 'the Mert' either.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Two CBs apparently incoming. I can see Wenger going over the quotes amount he stated in the press conference the only thing is Cahill should be having a medical!! Bolton will play hard ball but until when, the last minute or will they risk letting him leave for practicably nothing in January or as a free agent come end of the season.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Ok, maybe not quite panic buy, but it does seem Arsenal are being linked with everybody in a desperate attempt that something comes to fruition. Linked with Benayoun, but if I were an Arsenal fan, I'd be thinking "if he ain't good enough for Chelsea.."
As for Mertesacker's lack of pace, well they will pair him with probably the finest defender in the league in Vermaelen so shouldn't be a problem.
That Santos could be a good signing, experienced (well, compared to Jenkinson :LOL:) and apparently able to cope with the physical demands of Prem.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Probably smoke screens.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Yes I don't like Benayoun. However I think it's best to ignore rumours of signings until they seem more realistic.

I agree. He is big, strong and a quality defender. Great signing (if it happens). Also means we have Koscienly has pretty decent back up!

Haven't seen him. Hope he is good and first choice as I don't rate Gibbs that much.

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Anyway, of far more importance, it appears "Mad" Max Gradel is in "advanced talks" with Sochaux :(:Yikes:

http://www1.skysports.com/football/teams/leedsunited

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Joe Cole in talks with Lille :shocked:

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Can someone explain why City are signing Hargreaves, apart from winding up United fans?

Re: Football Season 2011/12
 

Mancini loves defensive players, he was annoyed after the Tottenham game because they conceded a goal. He's going all out this season. To be honest I'm not surprised he's signed him just for the sake of an extra body.

Another bid for Cahill from Arsenal has been rejected.