With the clock ticking down on the start of the season, it appears the club are trying to sort out those deals to finalise the team for 2024/25 and yesterday we got one or two titbits from some of the respected journo’s about where we are at with some of the outgoings, specifically.

On Eddie Nketiah

Feels like this one has been going on forever, right? I mean, I feel like I’ve talked about him about 25 times this summer and I’m not even that invested in what happens either way. Just when it appears there isn’t any other ‘angles’ to explore, old Fabrizio drops a ‘Marseille pull out’ comment on the socials which, to all intents and purposes, sounds like the French club have walked away. That’s fine by me, by the way, because the last thing any of us wants is for a club like Marseille to come in and plead poverty, then get a cheap deal for a striker who would probably bang in France next season. I’ve seen some argue that our valuation of €30million compared to what they offered at I believe €27million is a little too ‘steep, like we’re haggling over a few million, but I think Arsenal are right in what they are doing. This is a proven goal scorer who has done it in one of the hardest leagues in the world and will score even more in leagues like France. Surely the ‘haggling’ angle should be flipped 180 here; surely Marseille shouldn’t be quibbling over a few million?

What this does do – even if it feels like a risky strategy – is to show to the world that we aren’t in the mood for lowballing any more. Arsenal can’t be pushovers. We see Liverpool and City get big money for players who have barely played for their first team (Carvalho to Brentford for £27million, anyone?), so why should we be forced in to a position where we have to sell Eddie? Arteta has already shown he will use him so I think from that perspective Arsenal can stand firm, because if he doesn’t go elsewhere Arteta will use him I think. So I applaud the club on standing firm.

Also, having seen Julian Alvarez head to Atletico Madrid for £82million, I am wondering to myself what happened to be repeatedly told that clubs in mainland Europe had no cash, eh? Seems to me that this rule only seems to apply when clubs want our players…

On Aaron Ramsdale

Apparently Ajax want him and I have to say, if there can be a deal done there, I’d love that. It would keep him away from us in terms of playing against us in the Premier League, it’d mean we could love him from afar and although the talk is of an initial loan, you’d hope he’d absolutely smash it in the Netherlands and we’d get a fee next summer. I think we all know he needs to play, as much as it will pain us all when it happens, so letting him go on loan with an option based on triggering performance metrics, would be perfectly palatable for this here Arsenal fan, I can tell you. Apparently the first offer of a loan was rejected; I imagine Ajax want us to pay some of his wages, which of course makes no sense for Arsenal to accept. Pay his wages, give us a million or two for a loan fee, then have him for £20 – £25million next summer if he does well. That’s probably unlikely as their current record transfer is €30.5million and they’re not going to match that for a ‘keeper, but on this one if it meant we get £5million now and £15million next summer €18million I’d probably take that just to see him not play in England. Then, in an ideal world, you whack up a big sell on clause if he comes back to England in a couple of years time.

This transfer malarkey is easy, eh? 😉

There’s not really a lot else going on as we prep for the new season now, to be honest, other than the new Arsenal third kit dropping through a lovely video that I enjoyed watching yesterday. Have already bought me the new shirt and hopefully it’s arriving this week, which would be nice. Be good to rock those new threads in the ground on Saturday, even if it’s a kit that will barely be worn all season. I might also be tempted in to the ‘keeper jersey too, which is quite a lovely little black number that can easily pass off for a non-keeper jersey if you buy it in short sleeves. Look at me, I haven’t bought a ‘keeper jersey since I was 16, plus I’m dedicating a whole paragraph to Arsenal apparel as I wrap up today’s ramblings – what has happened to me?

Adidas has happened to me, that’s what.

Catch you all tomorrow. Be good and be nice.