Winter Transfer Speculation and Shit.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Martinez seems a bit too eager to sign for us, which for some reason seems quite concerning to me. Plus Porto won't let him go unless it's silly money and for his age and experience that doesn't seem worthwhile.

I dunno, I actually think getting someone talented like Morata on loan for the season to supplement Giroud, Bendtner and Podolski is probably the best option until we aim for a more long term target this summer. Someone like Kevin Volland or whoever Arsene has been secretly scouting.

Either way we need to do it now instead of waiting till the last minute as usual. Force the issue and be proactive.

Isn't Martinez exactly the sort of long term target we would ideally be going for if it was the summer now. How can a player be too eager to join us. How can that work against him?

He's at a good age, scores lots of goals, obviously got a bit of guile about him and he has a clause that we are capable of meeting.

I don't know much about Morata but he is the sort of signing that could have no effect whatsoever if he fails to settle quickly. Emphasis should go towards getting a player who is really going to have an influence rather than concentrating on getting a cheap option.

[Özim]

Got to agree, Morata is a bit of a pet project, he's barely scoring for Real and they have a really potent attack and when I have seen him he's missed his chances to score, he's not what we need at the moment, we need someone ready to come in and score goals.

[I am invisible]

Wenger's first choice is obviously Costa, who I think he's been convinced is worth his price tag - but as we all know the problem is that he isn't available now, and may or may not even want to sign for us when he is? Martinez, on the other hand, is available now, for a similar fee, and is willing, but I'm guessing the fact that we haven't made an offer yet must mean that we're not 100% convinced by him? I guess the dilemma is whether we should go for a guaranteed signing now, who we're not 100% convinced by, or a signing who we are 100% convinced by, but who we'll have to wait for and are not guaranteed to get? Not sure where I sit on that one, to be honest?

[Grebbo]

January's just a case of take what you can get. We're not going to get a top striker in Jan, especially not with clubs like Chelsea also desperate for a striker.

I'd be happy with Berbatov and some young unknown tbh.

Look at Man U - absolute shit this season and face missing out on top 4. They're desperate for players and have bags of cash but they're going to have trouble signing top players in Jan.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think that if he continues as he started then Costa is effectively now or never. At his scoring rate he is going to cause a bidding war in the summer which we will almost certainly get priced out of.

Fortunately for us Ozil was a player Wenger fantasised about for years on end and actually tried to sign a couple times.

Sections of the media are predicting some mass exodus from France because of the new 75% tax on the well off, but the best players over there are at clubs that don't need to let them go easily.

I know we don't think our scope of top quality options is enormous now, but I don't actually think it will be much bigger in the summer either and complicated by the proximity in time to the world cup.

[Dr Singh]

Not sure why people doubt Martinez? His record speaks for itself, and Porto have had some insane strikers over the years. I think both him and Costa would be sure things in the EPL. Both are 6'1-6'2 and look very strong. Martinez seems quicker with guile whereas Costa seems more aggressive and ruthless.

If Martinez wants to come and is available for 30m, we should be biting their hands off. If Costa doesn't want to leave then fair play to him. We have options and it would be pretty unforgivable if we don't take one of them.

[Syn]

Will bet anyone we won't make a £25m+ signing in the next two transfer windows. Forget your Martinez and Costas. Doubt we'll get anyone in January, and in the summer we'll look for a Giroud-profile signing; decent pedigree for around £15-20m who's a bit quicker. #ITK

[JonasTC]

I'll take you up on that bet, im quite sure we will make a 25m+ signing in the summer

[Marc Overmars]

Don't expect to see anything done this month but I do fancy us to go big again in the summer.

[Syn]

The stakes are e-respect. May the best man win.