Transfer Thread 2.0! New and improved

[5DOM]

I went back and watched a lot of Torres with Gerrard and I think that if Chelsea are able to bring in Modric and Mata I think it's really going to help Torres get going. For as much quality as he possesses one-on-one he's still more of a finisher that needs a little room and some creativity from others to better operate. Modric and Mata would certainly help that.

Torres needs someone that's willing to play the through ball and split defenses for him to run onto. A guy like Rooney/Gerrard/Sneijder would be someone he will thrive alongside, which makes me wonder why United are chasing Sneijder and Chelsea are looking for Modric when it should be the other way around.

I agree. Another question I asked is why Chelsea went for Lukaku and Arsenal went for AOC when it should probably be the other way around lol. But then I like Lukaku and of course we just got ourselves a new winger

[Double Helix]

Here's a solid blog piece on Modric as a potential fit from early June. It's a few months old now but he specifically addresses Sneijder in the final paragraph and seems to chalk up the interest in Modric as Luka being the more acquirable target (Modric seemingly interested in Chelsea earlier on) and with some EPL years under his belt. Earlier in the article he talks a bit more about where Modric likes to operate from and I think he was absolutely spot on about the right side of the field back then because at the moment it has become a bit of a dead zone. I noticed this last week and again on Saturday. In both matches, whenever the defense has been set it's been painfully obvious that Chelsea have lacked the quality to create anything from the middle or right side on all but an absolute breakdown. Torres had a couple nice moments where he created spacing but they didn't result in quality shots on goal. Modric, if nothing else, will open things up and keep defences more honest, allowing all of the Blues talents to find more openings and goal opportunities.

You could sense that they were a piece or two away from maximizing the talent they currently have so I'm really excited about the idea of securing both players. If Modric joins Mata it'll be interesting to see how many games it takes for everybody to gel and how much more creative and effective the offense is going to become for everybody. I also think Ashley Cole's going to benefit from these moves a lot too. He'll be able to capitalize, rather than press and gamble like he has been lately.

[5DOM]

IF he moves, Modric will probably play on the left side, because unfortunately, it's Lamps who should be replaced, not Ramires. Now, like Slava said, Modric is not the kind of creative force who can directly help Torres, but he' eventually gonna be the one making the hockey-assist. So I'm quite excited about the prospect of him playing behind three huge goal threats in Mata, Torres and Sturridge.

[BC_]

The People claiming Kaka is available on loan. I know he's not the player he once was, but it's exactly the PR move Arsenal need.

[jerrod]

i don't think that's a horrible idea. he impressed me when i watched them play the galaxy. (i know, i know)

[Ill]

Very excited about potentially getting Mata and Modric.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8714646/Luka-Modric-close-to-Tottenham-Hotspur-exit-after-Chelsea-raise-offer-to-30m.html

[Slava]

No reason to believe Wenger will pay Kaka's wages. He's the exact opposite of Wenger's philosophy.

[Slava]

Carlos Bocanegra joins Rangers. Random move.

[Double Helix]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpres ... 029394053A

Redknapp is playing the media beautifully here. He's threatening to make Modric ineligible by playing him. He's claiming that "the boy's just confused" in case he's not able to get what he wants. He keeps stating in the press he wants money AND players and that he wants this transfer window closed soon.

He's a smart man. He saw what happened with Torres. He saw what Roman just gave up for Mata. He thinks he has Roman on tilt and is playing a masterful bluff here to try and maximize the return on Modric. If they end up getting players AND more than 30 million then Spurs fans should give him a standing ovation the next time they see him because he's playing just about every card a man in his position could play.

[Slava]

Redknapp doesn't need to do anything, Levy is already a master at getting to price for his players and I wonder what Modric will be ineligible for if he plays a game. He's not going to get cup tied for Chelsea or anything even if he plays a Europa league game.

[5DOM]

Heard he could actually be cup-tied for the group stage games. But that shouldn't be a problem anyway as long as he's eligible for the knockout stages.

edit:

Article 18.07 of Uefa Champions League regulations says “as a rule, a player may not play in a Uefa club competition for more than one club in the course of the same season” although Article 18.18 allows “for all matches from the round of 16, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition” by the February 1 deadline.

[Slava]

Makes sense since the 3rd team from every group gets dumped into Europe league, I had Torres' situation in mind from last season.

[treiz]

Really excited about the prospect of Mata, we finally have a winger who can be both an out-and-out (although not as effective) as well as an inside forward. The major upside is that this hopefully means the end of Kalou.

[BC_]

Terms agreed with Manchester City for Nasri

Arsenal can confirm that they have agreed terms for Samir Nasri to move to Manchester City.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who has spent three years with the Gunners, has been omitted from Arsenal's squad which flies to Udinese this afternoon and instead will travel north for a medical.

The move will be subject to Nasri passing a medical and formal registration processes.

[Massimo]

Wenger you are just so dumb!!

[BC_]

Wenger you are just so dumb!!

Rumoured $25m for a guy who's played 5 months of good football in his life?

We got ~$60m for Cesc and Nasri, and that's about enough.

[5DOM]

Ramon Cugat, Barça's doctor, said yesterday that Cesc's had no serious injuries but Arsenal didn't help him. He just needs more control.
web • 8/23/11 8:55 AM

Shots fired. So arrogant

[Foye]

Wenger you are just so dumb!!

Rumoured $25m for a guy who's played 5 months of good football in his life?

We got ~$60m for Cesc and Nasri, and that's about enough.

Yeah, after losing Cesc there is no way Arsenal is going to compete for titles anyway. Might as well take the money for Nasri and start building a new team.

[5DOM]

20M+ for Nasri is a good deal for Arsenal not because he's only played 5 months of good football, but because he would have definitely left for free next summer.

[5DOM]

SSN reports Chelsea have made a bid for Alvaro Pereira. Hope this isn't true unless we can convert him to a RB which is probably a nonsense.