Mine too Soc. Like you, I’ve been watching him for a couple of seasons now, and wrote to Mikel a few times to urge him to get the boy signed.

Great minds……..

So if the club do sign vieira, Jesus and tielemans the prices being quoted would total 102 million.

You’d have to assume that’s pretty much your over summer right ? Maybe the further arrival of a player to cover left back at best.

Not sure how much more funds could be generated by sales. Let’s say conservatively Leno 8, torreira 8, Mari 5, ainsley 8, Nelson 5. Around 34 out if you assume Pépé can’t be moved which I think might be tough because of his wages and fee.

I’m not sure you could expect much more. It’s interesting because this could be artetas last season as it’s certainly his team now and unless he receives some success he could be gone.

It’s also funny because even with all those incomings I’m still not sure that sorts out the midfield even still.

Hi TG,

There's talk of a £86m bid for Osimhen. Can't see that, though, not with the wages on top as well, and that's even if we could persuade him to join which would be a toughie. Hot air me thinks.

Vieira, Jesus and Tielemans (if the latter two happen) are obviously hugely gifted technical footballers but don't add much physicality to the team.

I would like to see us add another striker with a slightly different profile to Jesus and Nketiah (height, strength, hold-up play) just to give us options. Plus another more physical presence in the centre of the park because we all know Partey will get injured again at various points in the season.

You are right, though, having spent £100m on Vieira, Jesus and Tielemans you would think that would be the bulk of our spending done, bar us selling Saka for stupid money or something and reinvesting that.

I guess much depends on who we can sell and how much we can recoup. If history is anything to go by that will be about £3.50.

Philadelphia the city I’ve called home for the last 32 years has been awarded some 2026 World Cup games
Not sure I’ll be here to see them … my plan is to live my final few years in the best country in the world
God willing I’ll be living somewhere in Brighton / Hove … always loved it here .. my sister lives in Brighton , my ex (still my best friend) lives in Hove and my eldest boy lives up the coast in Rustington with the three most fabulous grandkids a man could wish for

I guess much depends on who we can sell and how much we can recoup. If history is anything to go by that will be about £3.50.

I suppose you could say 25 m for xhaka, 25 for Pépé and 30 teardrop for Smithers and then you have your big money for a midfield player. It’s poo or bust for Arteta this year, potless and no champions league would have people wanting change.

You’d have to assume signings like Rapinha and osimhen are paper talk as it would involve us spending best part of 200 million and I can’t see that

No chance of getting £25m for Xhaka. Maybe £15m.

We wont sell Emile Smith Rowe but didn't Villa offer £30m+ for him last summer?

Yes, it wouldn’t be a popular move but I could see a side like villa or Newcastle wanting him. Honestly I think he may not being as indispensable as many think but at 21 still has time to grow.

If selling Emile Smith Rowe meant we could sign Reuben Neves would you do it ?

I loved Arshavin. "I heal like a dog".

Great shame he never really kicked on. He was 5' 8" by the way.

The interesting thing about Fabio Vieira is that I haven't seen too many people saying he's overrated or not worth the money, even among fans of opposition teams who are usually first to belittle signings.

The concensus seems to be that he's a very gifted footballer and potentially a great signing.

...All I’ve read is that he’s supremely gifted but has zero physical presence. Apparently he goes down appealing for free kicks if somebody breathes near him, let alone tackle him...

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but it's being reported by Fabrizio Romano and others that Nketiah is about to sign a new long-term deal with Arsenal. Fair play to the kid for stepping up last season, he earned this contract.

Apparently he goes down appealing for free kicks if somebody breathes near him, let alone tackle him.

Bernard, I know you're a big fan of not believing click-bait, so I'd be interested to know your source for this info.

Philadelphia the city I’ve called home for the last 32 years has been awarded some 2026 World Cup games
Not sure I’ll be here to see them … my plan is to live my final few years in the best country in the world
God willing I’ll be living somewhere in Brighton / Hove … always loved it here .. my sister lives in Brighton , my ex (still my best friend) lives in Hove and my eldest boy lives up the coast in Rustington with the three most fabulous grandkids a man could wish for

Bernard, I know you're a big fan of not believing click-bait, so I'd be interested to know your source for this info.

Please delete this. It’s going to trigger him into an episode

It was one of the social media sites by someone claiming to have seen him. No idea if it’s true, but is it so unbelievable?

Exactly john1

It’s a great area to live. We’ve been here as long as you’ve been in Philadelphia.

No, it isn't particularly unbelievable. I was surprised, though, to see you quoting something that's obviously just part of the endless internet nonsense that accompanies the possible signing of an Arsenal player.

Didn't Exiled end up in Brighton ?

Didn't Exiled end up in Brighton ?

I suspect that you are thinking of Pete on the Beach.

Don't have the energy to keep up with football like I used to, so Martinez is another player I'm not very familiar with. Seems to have played primarily as a centre back for Ajax, 24 years old and an Argentinian international. Perhaps rotterdamnation can shed some light about what kind of defender he is. Looks like we're splashing some serious cash this summer in any case.

Edit: Apparently he was voted player of the season at Ajax.

Looks to be a ball playing CB with a tremendous left foot and the ability to play long raking diagonals and crossfield passes.

He's 5'9" though, not exactly a towering CB. He'd need to be Cannavaro-esque.

Hi Haz,

Looks to be a ball playing CB with a tremendous left foot and the ability to play long raking diagonals and crossfield passes.

He's 5'9" though, not exactly a towering CB. He'd need to be Cannavaro-esque.

So according to the latest article in The Athletic, signing Vieira doesn't mean we won't continue to go after our other targets - the clubs ambition is to sign all of Vieira, Martinez, Jesus and Raphinha. Only player the article casts some doubt over is Tielemans. Also mentions Vieira is primarily seen as an option for the no 10 and no 8 positions, and that we want our signings done early so the squad is ready for the new season and we avoid another start like the one we had last year.

Will be interesting to see how it all turns out, but we can't say the club isn't going for it.

Btw. my brother in law just moved to Sverige to work for Volvo - look after him please. Cheers