VillaJay

My main worry with him is that arsenal fans seem to rate this potential signing emotionally rather than objectively, they're more worried about the optics of losing a young player with potential and what that says about the boards ambition. When you read some views of their more rational fans, they've seen it all before with young players showing promise and would snap our hands off for 40m

Some views from their forums:

The irony of us turning down 30m for a non capped, couple of months of good form, 2 goals midfielder and saying with a straight face Maddison with goals, assists and caps is over priced at 70m

 "Esr has played just over 40 senior games, with nearly half of that at Huddersfield. There isn't exactly a track record there other than people hoping he will become something. Forgive me. I've seen this show before. Walcott, Ox, Wilshere, Gibbs, Bendtner all hyped up to be something and their careers amounted to nothing. 50m for a player with 6 months top level under their belt whilst being inconsistent is ridiculous money. Unfortunately emotion comes into it not rational logical thought.'

"I remember ox and he was far more than exciting and after him I said never again with Arsenal youngster until they do it for two seasons. Remember when coquelin had that patch of great promise. Over the years we had far more exciting talents than esr and they all failed"

14 minutes ago, YouUnastanFren said:

True but last summer we smashed our record goalkeeper transfer fee by miles for a 28 year old who'd been backup for a decade and played well for 20 games for arsenal the previous season.

If our recruitment team think it's good value then I'd be happy to give them the benefit of the doubt. They've earned it.

I agree, if we do buy him, and I hope we do as it would be a true statement of intent buying a top 6 player that they don't want to sell, I trust the recruitment team despite not being sure on the price.

And if we do sell Jack I'd hope we go out and buy a further 2x 50m players on top of the current outlay like a Bissouma and Raphina type that is good enough to improve our starting xi.

15 minutes ago, nick76 said:

I never understand peoples reasoning for player values.  There arent many equivalents for him at the age, some experience and potential especially with the money being spent and earned in the PL.  Even if we spent an extra 10m on ESR for his talent, and on a 5 year contract that would only be equivalent of an extra 2m per year for his services (yes i know we have to pay it upfront or close to upfront).  If you get chance to pay for a young talent you have to take it even if a big premium.  Yes he could fail but with prices these days it's not massive when you think of Sancho, Haaland and even Grealish prices.  If think if we get a chance to buy a talent, then we buy him.

but it would be our record ever transfer for a player who has played well for Arsenal, albeit inconsistently over 20 games or so last season. The money doesn't matter if he's an exceptional talent, I'm just not convinced he is and I'd guess neither are Arsenal if they're not offering him the contract he wants. 

Looks to have a lot of potential but I'd rather spend 50m on a more proven player with more than 20 games in the PL than 35m on potential.

I can't see us going past 35m for ESR he's had half a good season, Buendia is more proven and cost 35m. He looks to have great potential and I'd like him as part of our attacking options, but still a bit raw if he's part of the replacing Jack strategy. As long as Jack stays we'd have this as a 5 for the 3 places behind Ollie - Jack, Buendia, ESR, Traore, El Ghazi

That's a serious team to push top 8 even if we don't sign anyone else. All rests on Jack staying though, which I think he will give us one more season at least.

1 hour ago, Delphinho123 said:

I don’t like him no. I actually think a fit Trezeguet offers the team as much, if not more. 

Just my opinion though, I know a lot of people on here love his silky skills (even though he loses the ball loads and is weak as piss). 

SHOTS FIRED.

Ollie's been better for us in the premier than Tammy was for us in the champ, I think we'll buy a more versatile and cheaper forward to compete with Ollie and Wes.

It seems our priority positions are AM/WF and DMF, I'd guess another 50m on those 2 positions and a punt on young forward player similar to Alvarez

We're still a season or 2 away from spending 40m on a second forward when we only play with one

2 minutes ago, PieFacE said:

For me, he's nailed on to go to West Ham. Can't see us making a move, not sure we should either. Priorities are elsewhere imo.

Moyes quoted as saying they don't have the money to spend 40m on Tammy and most likely that could be their whole summer budget.

I can only see us going for him if Jack goes

If city come in with a bid that is acceptable to Villa, he will of course go. I think there's a couple of hurdles before that though. 

1. Villa offer him a bumper contract.

2. If he doesn't accept, we'll want 120m+ or no deal

3. City have to agree to pay it.

If none of those happen I think Jack will stay and get his head down.

Once in a generation player and the best player in the league for me, but if it does come to it and we begrudgingly accept a monster fee, I'm still confident of being a better team than next season either way.

Just now, Lerner's Driver said:

I have merely reported what Gabby said. I have no opinion either way as to whether it will happen or not, but it's definitely possible. People who think otherwise are wrong.

That quote from Gabby seems a little out of context,

It’s no surprise that clubs like City are after him but Agbonlahor believes Villa hold the aces in this situation and should not let him go cheaply.

“I think he’s worth more. I’d say £120m,” Agbonlahor told The Sports Bar.

Villa are a club on the up but losing Grealish would be a big step back, unless they invested very well afterwards

“From a Villa point of view, he signed a five-year deal last summer. Villa’s owners don’t need the £100m – they’re loaded, they don’t need the money.

“They want to improve the squad. What losing him would mean for Aston Villa, they would want to be compensated for at least £120m.

“I’m looking at Harry Kane, he’s been at Spurs for so long. £120m is probably the right price for him as well.

“How many chances did Jack Grealish create last season? He was up there with top three, top four assists and he missed half the season.

City are also thought to be interested in signing Grealish’s England teammate Kane.

“He’s 25, how much did Kai Havertz join Chelsea for? How much did Philippe Coutinho leave Liverpool for?

“Man City have got the money, of course they have. Aston Villa will probably say ‘if you’re going to have him, it’s going to cost you, it’s going to cost you big time.’

“He deserves to play at that level but I’ve got my Villa head on and I don’t want him to go. You think Daniel Levy is going to make it easy for Harry Kane to leave? He’s going to want his full dough before he goes anywhere.

“If the money’s right the deal will happen. I think Jack will want to go, he’ll want to play under Pep but the money’s got to be what Aston Villa want.”

I think villa will hold firm, and Jack would be interested in going but won't force the issue.

12 minutes ago, PieFacE said:

I wouldn't read too much into these types of interviews. 

yeah, of course his dream is to win the top club trophy around, Jack is a football fanatic. He's not going to say I dream of playing in the euro conference league with spurs, he'll want to win the best trophies available that always has to be the aim, hopefully that's with Villa, but serious continued progress needed next season to convince him.

Would seem a strange signing on the surface, but a good pro who knows the club and league and can come in and cover the full back positions and wide positions on a free transfer. Could see him playing 10/15 games and would be a great option from the bench at full back when chasing a game.

9 minutes ago, Awol said:

Fabrizio pouring cold water on this one

 

Arsenal journos claim a deal still not anywhere near, Romano is the biggest spoofer of them all.

Saying that I'd expect ESR will sign a new deal at arsenal, but a bid must have been encouraged whether as leverage or genuine interest.

Reminds me a bit of De Bruyne in his forward play, would arguably be the best signing we can make in this area of the pitch and will significantly strengthen the first xi.

A clever signing, and a good price for a player who's relatively proven already in the PL and English football.

One more signing like this for the starting xi and 2 players with potential and I'd expect us to seriously challenge for europe.

53 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

 

Reading the article, Purslow never mentions finances, he does say there will be less ins, as the last 2 seasons were team building windows. 

Id expect 2 big signings 30m+ first team players and a young squad player to develop.

Id guess 70-80m summer spend.

He also mentioned this seasons finish was disappointing, and they're ambitious and expect a European push next season. Couples with dean's comments a few weeks back I'd expect 2 statement signings to improve the first 11.

4 minutes ago, useless said:

I'm not sure why people are having a meltdown over that Romano tweet... It says...

'Emiliano Buendia is one of the options that Arsenal are seriously considering as potential new signing. He’s appreciated and #AFC board have re-started contacts with his agents after opening talks in December. '

First of all

'one of the options'

implies just like the telegraph and athletic articles that he's not even first choice,

and then 'AFC board have started contacts with his agents',

just because they're in contact with his agent that doesn't mean to say that they're going to sign him, every club in the league will have a list of targets that they're interested in for any one position they won't just be in talks with the first choice's agent, but also the second and third choices as well...  So basically it doesn't tell us anything that we didn't already know from the Athletic and Telegraph stories.

The art or regurgitating news that's already in the public domain and adding a bit of vague nonsense at the end. Another Twitter spoofer can't believe millions follow his nonsense. He's no villareport

9 minutes ago, supermon said:

 

 

Is it just me that thinks Romano is just another Twitter spoofer? Despite the millions of followers he just tweets stuff that is in the public domain or speculative nonsense that doesn't really say anything.

The stand out for me last night, looks closer to be ready for first team football than Barry. Great movement and a good touch and as mentioned looks to have that bite in him.

That neck tattoo though..

8 minutes ago, PaulC said:

Brad Young seems to have a bit of the Olie Watkins about him 

The stand out for me last night, tenacious with good feet, looks physically to be ahead of Barry for me. But some talent in that team 5/6 look like they'll have good careers.

Id expect Chuk to play at PL level, could do with a gym routine over the summer like Jack a few seasons ago. Kesler needs to bulk up too but looks a real talent and Barry will play at the top, I'm sure.

1 hour ago, the_sun_never_sets said:

Here's something i've been mulling over.

I don't think we'll be bringing in a huge number of players this summer given the performance of our youngesters this season some of them can pad the squad out. I'd target maybe 3 quality signings (c£40m each). Inside Forward, AM, DM. all first 11 Ready. 

Given this if you were to pick one player who you think is a) obtainable and b) would instantly take us to the next level...who would it be?

I'd say Pedro Neto for what its worth. 

Ideally 4 new starters and start trying to introduce some youth to the bench as a pathway.

The starters though need to be clear upgrades on what we have to push Traore and El Ghazi or good enough to move Jack wide.

(New dm) Nakamba

Sanson, Mcginn, Doug, Ramsay

Jack (New AM), Chuk

(New Wide Fw) (New Wide Fw) Traore, El Ghazi

No idea who, but I trust the recruitment and Sanson/McGinn/Doug would be good enough for next season to play in 1/2 of the middle 3 with a new DM. Liverpool's middle 3 is very workmanlike and relies on their exceptional wide forwards and full backs to provide the attacking impetus.

Wide forwards have to be our priority this summer.

17 minutes ago, Demitri_C said:

Is buendia any bettee than lookman? Im not so sure.

And half the price i would imagine

I'm not buying into the buendia hype but he's a good player and would be a good signing. I don't think lookman would improve us, for all the hate Traore gets for his inconsistency he's still a better player than lookman.

The movement for the goal from traore was brilliant.

22 minutes ago, avfc1982am said:

What's this thread about? Is there any need to have bitch threads about other clubs insecure, deluded fans?? 

I'd rather see a player of the season poll thread, when's the last time we had 5/6 players that could win it!

Brilliant season, along with the rest of our defense. A classy player who reminds me a little of Gareth Barry in his build and technique. 

I think the MF/Wide forward areas are key to us retaining the ball better next season and will see our defence under less pressure and concede less again next season.

34 minutes ago, Rich192 said:

Brooks is average, like Cantwell. We really need to think higher than that. Buendia is different class. Not seen enough of Olive, but would be happy with him. Not sure if anyone else will tackle our fancy from the Championship. 

It's interesting seeing Bournemouth fans views on Brooks, they'd drive him anywhere at the moment, seems he's been very poor this season and they'd snap your hands off for 15m, same with the VT fave Billing who again has been very poor for them and they simply don't rate him in the champ.

Im confident our recruitment will be a step up from last season again.