Theo Walcott

[MrMichael]

Walcott won't cost £10m anyway imo, what him being available on a Bosman 6 months later.

Edit - Darkon, link to his stats - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/...alcott?cc=5739 (career tab).

10m..?

Will that even cover a tea lady?

Yeah. Assaidi was £3m. Plenty of other good players can be picked up for less than £10m. Its not going to buy us a current world superstar, but none of them are going to come to us anyway right now without us at least giving them ridiculous wages, which we don't want to do. Plus the market is weird in Jan.

We need talented, up and coming players who are available for the right price. Other clubs can do it, why can't we? £10m + anything made in sales is fine for Jan imo. Then in the summer we hopefully get on the right side of £20m, plus sales (Carroll hopefully will be in that at least). Spent wisely we can do a lot with that level of budget.

[dww]

I think we will have to pay goof money for Walcott, near Bosman or not. Wenger has the money and backing to let him go if the deal is not to his liking and/or he can't get the right replacement in January.

[MrMichael]

His goals and assists tally suggests that his end product is very good.

Just in the league for Arsenal (remembering this is since he was like 17)

96 starts, 60 sub apps

28 goals, 25 assists

That's not bad really is it. Is it very good? For someone played on the wing, and from such an early age... but in a good team... yeah, it probably is really.

Not sure its £100k/week good though.

[Darkon]

His stats are decent I admit, not great but decent. But for us allegedly having to pay ~100k a week for him, I just think we could do a lot better. For example Assaidi is on around half that, perhaps a bit less, so if we are able to find cheaper targets then we could perhaps have two decent players for our relatively thin squad instead of one.

And I agree with DWW that we would have to pay close to silly money for him no matter if he has a bosman in the summer or not. It's worth more to Arsenal keeping him 6 months than strengthening our options for a few million.

[dww]

His stats are decent I admit, not great but decent. But for us allegedly having to pay ~100k a week for him, I just think we could do a lot better. For example Assaidi is on around half that, perhaps a bit less, so if we are able to find cheaper targets then we could perhaps have two decent players for our relatively thin squad instead of one.

And I agree with DWW that we would have to pay close to silly money for him no matter if he has a bosman in the summer or not. It's worth more to Arsenal keeping him 6 months than strengthening our options for a few million.

I think if Walcott worked out he would be well worth it. Creates and scores and has pace - all of which would be very useful on their own to us. He's the right age to. I agree though that the money asked makes it far from a no brainer.

[Tee]

As promising as Assaidi has been, I am sorry but you just cannot compare having 2 players like Assaidi rather than one player like Walcott IMO.

Walcott is proven in this league and we have seen the impact he can have coming off from the bench as well. He would be a very welcome addition and if it means it pushes back the likes of Assaidi, then tough. We need to get the strongest players and cover we can if we are to salvage this season.

[-V-]

He's under 24 isn't he? So if he left on a bosman, Arsenal would still be entitled so decent compensation

[MrMichael]

For example Assaidi is on around half that, perhaps a bit less.

According to the papers when we bought him, he's on £20k.

So 5 Assaidis, not 2 Tee

[yamiedo]

I hope all Rodgers is given is 10m. That way he won't be tempted into spending massive amounts on a marquee signing. I'd prefer our scouts were sensible and found 3m bargains who will at the same time improve our squad. Its a rebuilding process which takes time not one for quick fixes.

[Tee]

I hope all Rodgers is given is 10m. That way he won't be tempted into spending massive amounts on a marquee signing. I'd prefer our scouts were sensible and found 3m bargains who will at the same time improve our squad. Its a rebuilding process which takes time not one for quick fixes.

Just cannot understand that logic at all mate. You are honestly saying rather than signing a Lewandowski or Llorente you would rather we got an unknown.

Maybe that player would be great, who knows, but we have to bring in proven quality now IMO, we cannot take any more chances this season.

I think we have more than enough youngsters and inexperienced players in the squad. What we need now is the mental strength and experience that only these established players can bring.

[kingfunk]

Doesn't matter, we will just get out bid anyway.

[yamiedo]

Just cannot understand that logic at all mate. You are honestly saying rather than signing a Lewandowski or Llorente you would rather we got an unknown.

Maybe that player would be great, who knows, but we have to bring in proven quality now IMO, we cannot take any more chances this season.

I think we have more than enough youngsters and inexperienced players in the squad. What we need now is the mental strength and experience that only these established players can bring.

Just think the possiblity of signing a huge name player and then him being a flop is too high. It seems to happen to us all too often and it puts unneccessary pressure on us. Too long we've looked like idiots in the transfer market. If we signed a big marquee name it would have to be someone we can guarantee will hit the ground running. I'd probably make an exception for Llorente because I know he probably would. I still think there is considerable risk in signing a huge player though. As its been said there is however, a risk in any signing but 3m odd represents a gamble worth taking. 25m after all our troubles in the market isn't imo.

[Tee]

Any signing is a risk, even free transfers ().

We need a top quality striker, as best as we can get and afford. I would much prefer we spent all our budget this window on that position rather than trying to be too clever and sign 3 or 4 cheaper players who are on the same level as say Assaidi. We need better than that right now.

[Vermilion]

Any signing is a risk, even free transfers ().

We need a top quality striker, as best as we can get and afford. I would much prefer we spent all our budget this window on that position rather than trying to be too clever and sign 3 or 4 cheaper players who are on the same level as say Assaidi. We need better than that right now.

[Norbs]

Not a cat in hell's chance of signing Walcott, burn the thread. He'll have an offer from City and he'll go there or Arsenal will come to a compromise and he'll stay there