Chinese club doubles Arsenal's offer to Socrates

By 1970's Gooner

Although the signing of Socrates Papastathopoulos from Dortmund is considered a done deal a new offer from a Chinese team is on the table.

It can be revealed that Arsenal's offer to Socrates is an annual salary of 5.5m pounds which equates to about 106,000 per week, for a three year contract. 

Greek site Sport24.gr is reporting that the offer from the unnamed Chinese club is 11m pounds p.a or 212,000 per week but for a two year contract.

Socrates, who will become the highest paid Greek footballer, has decided according to Sport 24.gr to stick with Arsenal wishing to continue his career at a high level.

Also Socrates father speaking to the Greek site has revealed that the Greek Arsenal Supporters Club helped persuade Socrates or rather kept 'pestering' him with phone calls urging him to choose Arsenal over Manchester United who wanted to sign him on the cheap later in July.

Stephan in Hector out?

By 1970's Gooner

The signing of the Swiss and Juventous right back is not of course a done deal as the player himself has indicated. The fact that Arsenal are pursuing this player is nevertheless  significant.

This player is very experienced, ouzes class and in my opinion can be a first team starter. His performance in the friendly against Spain and of course for Juventous in the past season certainly points in that direction.

Would a player of that stature and quality be prepared to play second fiddle to Bellerin and warm the bench at Arenal hoping that injury or suspensions may give him a game?

I doubt it.

In my opinion the fact  that he has accepted Arsenal's offer that could mean that Bellerin would be on his way. And probably Ainsley Maitland Niles could be the understudy of the new guy coming in at #2

Releasing or creating if you like another 50m from the sale of Bellerin to be added to Emery's transfer fund to strengthen the squad in the problem areas that Wenger refused to tackle.

A defensive midfielder and centre backs.

Lichsteiner signing could create more cash for Arsenal transfers

By 1970's Gooner

The signing of the Swiss and Juventous right back is not of course a done deal as the player himself has indicated. The fact that Arsenal are pursuing this player is nevertheless  significant.

This player is very experienced, ouzes class and in my opinion can be a first team starter. His performance in the friendly against Spain and of course for Juventous in the past season certainly points in that direction.

Would a player of that stature and quality be prepared to play second fiddle to Bellerin and warm the bench at Arenal hoping that injury or suspensions may give him a game?

I doubt it.

In my opinion if we hear that he has accepted Arsenal's offer that could mean that Bellerin would be on his way. And probably Ainsley Maitland Niles could be the understudy of the new guy coming in at #2

Releasing or creating if you like another 50m from the sale of Bellerin to be added to Emery's transfer fund to strengthen the squad in the problem areas that Wenger refused to tackle.

A defensive midfielder and centre backs.

Lichsteiner signing could create more cash for Arsenal transfers

By 1970's Gooner

The signing of the Swiss and Juventous right back is not of course a done deal as the player himself has indicated. The fact that Arsenal are pursuing this player is nevertheless  significant.

This player is very experienced, ouzes class and in my opinion can be a first team starter. His performance in the friendly against Spain and of course for Juventous in the past season certainly points in that direction.

Would a player of that stature and quality be prepared to play second fiddle to Bellerin and warm the bench at Arenal hoping that injury or suspensions may give him a game?

I doubt it.

In my opinion if we hear that he has accepted Arsenal's offer that could mean that Bellerin would be on his way. And probably Ainsley Maitland Niles could be the understudy of the new guy coming in at #2

Releasing or creating if you like another 50m from the sale of Bellerin to be added to Emery's transfer fund to strengthen the squad in the problem areas that Wenger refused to tackle.

A defensive midfielder and centre backs.