summer '22 transfer craziness and stupidity

[IBK]

Those expecting us to be like a fantasy football team in cheat mode will be underwhelmed by keeping Elneny and Eddie (if the latter is true ). Those of us who recognise that we need to be smart going into a season with Europa rather than CL football should be pleased. For me keeping Elneny - a solid back up/reserve player who has shown that he has the right temperament to do a job when called on - is a no brainer.

As for Eddie - a player who is still (just) 22, with a proven track record of being a prolific (record breaking) goal scorer for England at under 21 level, and who scored 5 goals in 8 starts for us at the end of this season (showing a great attitude when he could have sulked about the manager's previos lack of faith in him). I'm struggling to think of a better striker for his age in the country, and even more importantly he is one of our own and has shown that he is developing - I think he has incredible potential to be something special. Let's also remember that he scored his goals when we were playing with a patched up midfield and an unbalanced team due to defensive injuries.

Now the 'soft' factors. We have committed to a base of talented young players bought into Arteta's project as the way to compete with the massive spending power of the teams above us. Eddie fits this bill.

If Eddie was being re-signed as our main striker I could see the issue, but we will certainly be in for a senior striker, and probably another 'top' player who can play wide or centrally. For me giving him a new contract is smart business, and I'm pleased that it seems as though he is bought into what we are trying to do.

[Gooner23]

Sounds like we are going all in on Gabriel Jesus as our main striker signing. And if Nketiah is signing a new deal that will be probably be it in the striker department. I can't see us signing another no. 9, this summer at least.

Do those two players get us enough goals through the course of a season? I have my reservations but hope to be wrong.

[Chippy]

Sounds like we are going all in on Gabriel Jesus as our main striker signing. And if Nketiah is signing a new deal that will be probably be it in the striker department. I can't see us signing another no. 9, this summer at least.

Do those two players get us enough goals through the course of a season? I have my reservations but hope to be wrong.

Oh yes, we have been here before.

One main Summer target, all our eggs in one basket, and guess what..........Gabriel Jesus stays at City or goes somewhere else.

[IBK]

Oh yes, we have been here before.

One main Summer target, all our eggs in one basket, and guess what..........Gabriel Jesus stays at City or goes somewhere else.

I think you are wrong.

[GP]

With Laca going, I think we'll be in for two forwards. Jesus plus another expensive one.

[Gooner23]

With Laca going, I think we'll be in for two forwards. Jesus plus another expensive one.

I just can't see it happening now.

I don't think we're signing up Nketiah on 100k a week to be 3rd choice. And Jesus isn't coming to be back up to Saka.

I'd imagine both have been given assurances about playing time as the central striker.

I think its more likely we see another wide player if Pepe leaves.

[Chippy]

I just can't see it happening now.

I don't think we're signing up Nketiah on 100k a week to be 3rd choice. And Jesus isn't coming to be back up to Saka.

I'd imagine both have been given assurances about playing time as the central striker.

I think its more likely we see another wide player if Pepe leaves.

This.

[IBK]

I just can't see it happening now.

I don't think we're signing up Nketiah on 100k a week to be 3rd choice. And Jesus isn't coming to be back up to Saka.

I'd imagine both have been given assurances about playing time as the central striker.

I think its more likely we see another wide player if Pepe leaves.

Well, Jesus plays across all 3 forward positions, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a target/hold up man if he is signed. I think Elneny's new contract will mean that we are in for a MF and that we are more likely than not to keep Xhaka for another year to end up with 4 central MF's. If Saliba comes in then we don't need another central defender. That means that we are in for a MF; a striker and a withdrawn striker; a RB and possibly a LB - doable with our budget methinks.

[IBK]

Sounds like we are going all in on Gabriel Jesus as our main striker signing. And if Nketiah is signing a new deal that will be probably be it in the striker department. I can't see us signing another no. 9, this summer at least.

Do those two players get us enough goals through the course of a season? I have my reservations but hope to be wrong.

I reckon of we can land Jesus for say £30/£35M we would be looking also for a player who is a traditional 'target man'...if we are so sweet on Jesus, that's an obvious hole that our pursuit of Vlahovic showed the manager recognises. Won't be a marquee signing, though. This may be part of the reason for offering Nketiah a new deal, and if so it gets my vote...