Declan Rice

[TonyM]

Imminent

Imminent in a preparing to make a bid type of imminence? Or a Mangala lookalike medical type of way? Or a Mido way? Or a falling asleep at the airport way? Or a stopping for a burger way? Or a he's just signed for Arsenal by the time I finish typing this post with me thumb while sitting on the jacks and me legs are numb type of way?

 

[waspish]

I heard yesterday there could be deal involving some cash + Philips for Rice.

I'd be okay with that.

Those deals rarely if ever happen now! It be our club buys there player then that club buys our player not we pay 70m + Phillips

 

[HumbledGooner]

It comes down to two things:

1) Do we want him at the price he'd be available at? No one here knows the definitive answer to that.
2) Does he want to come to us and fill his trophy room with medals or stay in London and probably finish his career with the one trophy he's already won, as your lot had your chance last season and proved you've got the same balls for it as Spurs. Next season, you'll be below Chelsea, Liverpool and the rags as well i.e. back outside the top 4.

Think I'll go and join an Arsenal forum and post something. Oh wait, that would make me look like a right nonce who shouldn't be allowed within 100 yards of a school.

Why, because I call out the BS about Kalvin Phillips being used as a 40-50m makeweight?

Also, there is a market for Arsenal not making the top 4. You can 'lay' Arsenal on betfair, and for every pound you put on, based on current odds you can make 144%.The bookies have priced Arsenal shorter odds than Man United and Liverpool to make top 4, let alone Chelsea. Will he bet big ? I dont think you will.

 

[mosssideblue]

Not sure about this lad would surprise me if we signed him, but what do I know.

Well, it is a Barm

 

[cordonbleu]

Plus with Stones’ role now, it would be a silly signing this one. Stones is now ready to play in Rodri’s position on his own when we need to give Rodri a rest and they can play together in the big games. We also have Phillips who will undoubtedly be better next season if he stays with us.

We need a creative, tempo setting, attacking midfielder who plays between the lines and is hard to get the ball off and a right winger, or someone who can play in attacking mid and right wing; we do not need a third Rodri/Stones type player.

We need to move Foden into attacking midfield for this, not sign someone like Rice. Foden is Gündoğan’s replacement. Foden is going to take a step up as a player over the next few years and is going to be immense by the time he gets to his prime (26-29). Also because he didn’t play a great deal from his appendix op onwards this season, he’s going to be like a new signing next season.

Look at Foden’s assist for Álvarez for the fourth goal against Madrid… Or the turn and burst of pace into the box like Phil’s chance in the CL final (he should have scored, mind)… that’s the sort of player we need to be starting in our team, threading passes like that through to the forwards and creating havoc with skill.

Then we need to look at de Bruyne’s replacement next Summer.

Kovacic can take Foden’s squad player role from the second half of this season and can be in rotation for Rodri/Stones/Phillips n’all.

Why do we need a right winger? Bernardo may no be for sale. Mahrez would probably stay, Foden can still play for right wing. We also have Alvarez who could play wide right. If we are after a winger, it might very well be a wide left player or wide left playmaker.

 

[mosssideblue]

I heard yesterday there could be deal involving some cash + Philips for Rice.

I'd be okay with that.

Heard from where?

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Heard from where?

They were saying on the City Report podcasts. Not sure what their sources were.

Might make sense though.

 

[mosssideblue]

They were saying on the City Report podcasts. Not sure what their sources were.

Might make sense though.

Not if Phillips wants to stay

 

[Keeper!]

Heard from where?

LOL say no more, the way the big fellas head is starting to wobble is genuinely scary, early sign of dementia sadly.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

West Ham apparently about to bid for Palhinha at Fulham. Doesn't look like Kalvin can be used as a makeweight. All the rumours are Kalvin doesnt want to leave. I was always sceptical about that happening. Players swaps deals are complex as it adds another dimension and variable to what is already a complicated saga.

Ive always said whoever wants Rice will need to do an all cash deal. West Ham will take the money and pick their own targets.

If we offer 101m, that will be the benchmark any other suitor will need to match.

If I miraculously woke up in Scatlett Johansson's bed one morning I wouldn't want to leave either, but I probably wouldn't have a choice.