Manchester City are getting greedy. They already have, it’s fair to say, quite a few good players. But they want more. Boy do they want more. City lashed some £175m on new players in the summer, but word on the street is they are keen to spend another £150m next year. On whom? Well, we’re glad you asked. Apparently they’re going to party like it’s 2009 and go shopping at Arsenal again, specifically for jet-heeled, immaculately-coiffured right-back Héctor Bellerín. Pep Guardiola is another among a significant number of managers with a serious Jones for Leonardo Bonucci (although Juventus are apparently looking to head that one off at the pass with a new contract), while they’re also keen on Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Crikey.
While City shop for more talent, their rivals are concentrating on keeping what they have. In the last 12 months Arsenal have achieved possibly the most meaningless second-place finish in the history of football, were knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford, the League Cup by Sheffield Wednesday and the Champions League in the first knockout round. Admittedly that was by Barcelona, but they might not have been forced to face Messi and pals had they not made such a frightful guff of their first few group games.
Therefore, with that blinding history of achievement in their back pocket as negotiating leverage, it’s no wonder that a year after Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez’s contract negotiations started, their demands have supposedly gone up by nearly 40%. Apparently last October, in discussions over new deals for the pair of them, figures in the region of £180,000-a-week were mentioned, but now they’re after £250,000. Assuming they both sign five-year extensions to their current deal, the Gooners are looking at a sit-in-the-corner-and-cry-for-mummy extra cost of around £36m. Sweet mercy. Still, if Arsenal keep turning in performances and results like they have been in the last year, it’ll be worth every penny.
Speaking of contracts at Arsenal, Per Mertesacker’s is up at the end of the season, and should he decide not to stick around/Arsenal not want to keep him, Hannover 96 are apparently keen to take him back. “I am a person who likes to create options for himself,” said Mertesacker. “Of course, I ask myself what would make sense if things were to end at Arsenal. Where can I be of any help? What do I want? Could I maybe return to Germany?” The possibilities are endless, Per. Meanwhile Arsenal are sniffing around Benfica winger Gonçalo Guedes, although Manchester United are keen too.
And tying together those clubs already mentioned, Arsenal and City are training their beady eyes on the Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney, who has looked mighty impressive when turning out for Brendan’s bhoys, keeping in mind all the obvious caveats with which a statement like that comes.
In more Manchester full-back news, let blubbing commence on the red side of town, for the age of Matteo Darmian could be over. Having been usurped by Antonio Valencia on the right side of United’s defence, the Italian might be hopping aboard the Do One Express. “He’s playing little or nothing and it’s a shame because he’s an Italy international,” noted his Mr 15%, Fausto Pari. “If the situation doesn’t change by January, we’ll have to think of something. He risks also losing his place in the national team.”
What else have we got? Well, Chelsea are supposedly keen on the Athletic Bilbao midfielder Óscar de Marcos, keen to the tune of a possible £30m bid come January. MLS would welcome Bastian Schweinsteiger with the most open of arms, according to Commissioner Gordo … sorry, Commissioner Don Garber. And, err, that’s about it really. Now go off and have a smashing day.
