Slam Dunk

Just had a quick catchup with this thread and am shocked at how many people actually believe we will pay £38M for Hulk.

How exactly?

No, it has been very well documented that Chelsea officials were negotiating with Porto. The situation, as far as i'm aware, is that Porto know what Chelsea are willing to pay but it doesn't match their valuation of Hulk. Whether or not this has changed over the past few days, I don't know. I think it's safe to say at this point that Hulk is definitely the club's first choice for the RW position, whether or the media know the back up option, I'm not sure. Remember, there is a difference between an official offer and an unofficial enquiry. Hulk wouldn't be able to officially join us until July 1st anyway, so i'd expect some movement in negotiations over the coming week or so.

The renders are amazing. The single tier stand looks like it would be incredible as well. Fingers crossed for positive news.

Technically speaking, it hasn't sailed just yet. The preferred bidders (Malaysian property investors) had a period of around 4 weeks to finalise their plans/submit them from the date they were announced as winners of the site. There is a chance that even though they are the preferred investors for the site, their plans may not actually be financially viable. This is unlikely, as they have been investigating the site for a substantial period of time as far as I know, but not impossible. There was also talk of Chelsea and the Malaysians entering a partnership for the site a week or so ago.

Randomly guessing dates. Why is everyone so impatient? Hulk cannot join us until after July 1st anyway. I'm sure it'll be done in time.

Exactly. No need to read into it too much. Everyone wanted to be at the front. Bosingwa was first as usual - first up to collect his medal, then stood directly in front of the trophy and didn't leave that spot.

I've seen him linked with both Barca and Inter within the last two days. Are Chelsea matches not shown much outside of England?...

Pastore? I may be wrong, cant quite remember. Another deal (along with Robinho) that we were lucky to avoid.

Incredible to think that at the age of 24 he could potentially have been a member of World Cup/European Championship/Champions league/FA Cup winning squads.

Allegedly involved in yet another bust-up with the French team? Seriously, the further away from this club Ben Arfa is, the better.

Liking Lyon's new kit.

It's simple, Hulk doesn't want to go to PSG. I see it as very unlikely that PSG actually want Hulk anyway.

The Hulk deal is still ongoing, Moses isn't an alternative for our first choice right-winger. He's a young, homegrown, squad player, nothing more.

Although I do like Moses, I wonder how this affects Kakuta, considering he has said he'll either be at Chelsea this season, or he will be leaving. I know Moses is proven in the PL to a degree, but has Kakuta really ever had a chance to be?

That's like saying we shouldn't sign him because we have Cech. Totally different players.

What I was thinking as well. Sky saying the bid was £4m by the way.

Moses is a joy to watch (at times). One of the most direct players in the league.

£4m? Nice try Newcastle.

Juve haven't made an offer and I'm confident he won't be leaving.

Are you that ignorant to think that the owner of one of Europe's biggest clubs is unaware of UEFA club rulings? Thanks for the advice, but I think i'll stick to supporting my boyhood club, even if it does mean being grouped in with the likes of you.

Of course, they're not at a level suitable for a club like ours. But they are good signings for a club like Arsenal, and as such, they've done well to sign them for the prices quoted/the timing of the deals, which I consider good business. Of course I care about finances, as should you, as should any fan. We all love Roman spending big and attracting a calibre of player that Arsenal can only dream of, but football is a business these days, and in order to be a successful business, your books have to be in order. We're able to sign players of Hazard's calibre because of the huge cash injection that comes with CL football, compare that to the players we were linked with when we looked like only having Europa League football this coming season (Willian etc). Oh and by the way, if you truly do want Van der Wiel at Chelsea, I suggest you be careful what you wish for...

I didn't say they were in Hazard's league. Then again, Arsenal aren't in the same league as Chelsea (any more), financially, and their purchases in the transfer windows reflect that. Fact is, Podolski is an established, experienced international with over 100 appearances for Germany. Giroud was top scorer in Ligue 1, the same league as Hazard btw, and is ambitious to prove himself at a bigger club. Who cares what wages he is on? Why should that dictate your opinion of the quality of the player? They've completed the deals before either had played at the Euros which could potentially up their prices/demands. Even if you hate Arsenal, you cant deny that's good business, you also cant deny that Arsenal's finances are very much in order.

Sky now reporting Spurs in discussions with Laurent Blanc, makes more sense than AVB on their part.

I won't lie, Podolski & Giroud for £20m is very good business on Arsenal's part. But if this is them preparing for Van Persie's exit, they'll be a (significantly) weakened team next term.