18 Jul 2026 21:53:36
Hi all,
Arsenal have re-entered negotiations for Barcola and the rumours of their enquiries about Diomande are correct. I predict this will force our hand. Big developments inevitably inbound in the next few days, I imagine Barcola’s future will be decided very shortly. We remain his first choice and considerably ahead of Arsenal in the race.
18 Jul 2026 22:34:25
We won't do a thing. We've effed around and will now find out. Just hope we don't sign dross like Neto in desperation, as that would be absolutely unforgivable.
18 Jul 2026 22:48:52
I think people can relax on the Neto speculation. Chelsea don't want to sell to us, we are not interested and Neto isn't either.
18 Jul 2026 22:59:56
Cheers, Victor. Need to move quick. Players being snapped up now and big money being thrown around again. Need to land our top targets fast.
18 Jul 2026 23:01:49
Why do we have to wait for clubs to force our hand, if you want him, just go and get him.
18 Jul 2026 23:03:06
Don't be disappointed when they bring out the old "no market opportunity" and "keeping our powder dry" excuses. The problem is, if we leave it and write another season off, that means Ali, VVD, Endo, Gomes will more than likely be gone. On top of those areas, we already have to strengthen now.
18 Jul 2026 23:08:36
Everyone knows we have a new manager, right? And there's a World Cup on that means he hasn't had the time to assess the whole squad?
18 Jul 2026 23:38:39
Iraola will want to assess the squad, Zed, but there are obvious positions we are short in regardless. It would be very concerning if the recruitment team don't know that.
18 Jul 2026 23:46:19
Being objective, Kopite, we've lost Salah and Konate and brought in Munoz and Jacquet.
I know there are positions we would want to strengthen based on last year, but how much was last year based on the coach, fitness and tactics?
Iraola is best placed to see/find that out.
18 Jul 2026 23:58:49
Exactly Zed, I'm not overly stressed. Didn't these players only struggle last year because of the management team? And they still got Champs League. I'm not expecting to be Champions this year no matter who we get in, but even if we bring no one else in I still expect top 5, so for me, if the club don't wanna pay silly money for players undeserving of it, I'm happy enough.
18 Jul 2026 23:59:21
I get what you're saying, Zed, but we were short on the right even with Salah still here. We ran Salah into the ground due to not having a decent backup. To think we can recruit one player in his place and expect the same super-human fitness from his replacement could prove to be very short sighted.
Still plenty of time in the window left though. Hopefully Iraola has time to assess, then recruit where we need it, with time still left in pre-season to bed the players in.
19 Jul 2026 00:04:12
Iraola said in his first press conference, we need players, Zedd.
19 Jul 2026 00:05:39
Panicking about Arsenal moving for our targets would suggest the legwork our so-called best football operators in the business have been doing was pretty useless.
Alternatively, we are sticking to whatever the plan is and are executing.
19 Jul 2026 00:20:38
Personally don't think there is a plan. Edwards had a hissy fit. Hughes is on his way out. It feels like a clown show.
19 Jul 2026 00:36:46
Why do you think that, Victor? Bearing in mind there's a WC going on and a new manager at the club.
19 Jul 2026 01:08:39
Zed,
Konate ➡️ Jacquet
VVD ➡️ Leoni
Matip ➡️ ???
Gomez ➡️ Ndwuke or Ndiaye?
19 Jul 2026 00:54:51
I'm not even sure where the Neto rumours came from, to be honest. Seems like a made up rumour that kind of snowballed.
19 Jul 2026 04:01:39
Isak, Wirtz, Kerkez, Leoni, Jacquet, Munoz.
Perhaps if the club sees a player they want, they just go and get them. Perhaps because us fans who read social media really don't have a clue who the club actually want, or are considering bringing in.
19 Jul 2026 06:09:30
Knowing this site, all the people saying don't touch Barcola will all of a sudden lose their minds about him going to Arsenal!
I'm a fan personally and hope we do get him.