04 Jan 2024 08:53:51
Hello Ed002, A happy new year to you mate. I wanted to ask you about our potential targets for January in the attacking positions. Wide players (Neto, Nico Williams) or Strikers (Toney, Vlahovic) - Which position and players are we prioritizing?

Also, How much of this is dependent on the sales of Eddie, Smith Rowe, and Ramsdale as you mentioned?

Thanks as always for your insights.
Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I would not expect anything significant in the winter. Neto may be possible, you can forget Williams.

Dusan Vlahovic (S) Only joined in January 2022 but financial issues that Juventus now have and goalscoring problems will determine that he is sold in the summer – but they will hold out for €70M. Regardless of his loss of form, there will be a lot of interest if he is and his agent has approached Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG. Real Madrid are also keen but, like Chelsea, have preferred targets. Chelsea were open to an exchange of players last summer but right now there is no push as his wage demands are seen as excessive and they will look to other targets first. PSG have him as a possible Mbappe replacement - but not first choice - but don't lose sight of them. As a wildcard, Atletico Madrid or Arsenal may rekindle interest but would likely want to include players in any deal. Juventus have already drawn up a list of potential replacements and are working on those even though he has signed a new contract. A move seems unlikely in January.
Ivan Toney (S) Brentford do not want to sell but are aware Toney may look to move up a step and will reluctantly look to perhaps £70M as a sale price in the summer but will price him far higher to try to avoid a January sale. Newcastle - if they can sell their project to him given - offer the chance of a return to the club who previously could find no use for him in the three years he was there. Arsenal, Leeds, Manchester United, Spurs, Chelsea and West Ham have all sent scouts on more than one occasion to watch him prior to his ban. Arsenal and Chelsea may well start talks ahead of January, but Chelsea have preferred options meaning Arsenal are likely best placed to complete a transfer but Brentford will want to wait until the summer. A wildcard might be Spurs.

Arsenal may look to a DM and a CB in January - possibly a S.}

1.) 04 Jan 2024
04 Jan 2024 10:17:44
Thanks for your reply Ed002. Great insight. Interesting that Neto is possible. Would it mean one (or more) of Smith-Rowe, Eddie and Nelson moving on? Who are showing interest in these players?

{Ed002's Note - Books need to be balanced and players will be leaving. Neto would need to prove his fitness so the summer is a more likely time for a move.}

2.) 07 Jan 2024
07 Jan 2024 01:16:25
Ed, who would you rather Arsenal push for out of Toney or Vlahovic seeing as they could each cost a similar fee or do you have another forward in mind you’d like arsenal to go for?

{Ed002's Note - I doubt either are available this month, in part because their preferred replacements will not be available this month so there would need to be a huge financial premium to pay.}