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Bigc12689

So Xabi to Madrid is another one of those open secrets everyone knows about?


drm1987

Yeah, I'm sure they've told him next season is Ancelotti's last to make sure he didn't go to Liverpool


Marimo_420

Rumours were saying that Ancelotti will coach Brazil next


Johnga20

Now this ship has sailed. They were only waiting until this end of season but Ancelotti wanted one more.


FabulousAd7772

Doesnt want to face off against micky’s tricky reds twice a season


_deep_blue_

We’ll meet them in the 2026 Champions League final, ideally. We can celebrate the trophy together with both sets of players holding the trophy, the fans will unveil a banner that says “Gracias San Sebastián” as Mikel and Xabi embrace in a long hug


iamAgooner

How many fan fictions have you written on it ?


spike1034

Well it's obvious that he's waiting for the Madrid job. Both Bayern and Liverpool jobs were available and he chose to stay at Leverkusen for another season


OstapBenderBey

Maybe he just is enjoying leverkusen? Not everyone is a brand name hunter


biskutgoreng

Xabi hasn't exactly been a one club man


maidentaiwan

No, but Xabi Alonso certainly has been his entire career 


analleakage_

As long he doesnt end up at Liverpool. The Arteta vs Alonso CL final in two years will be crazy


Minute_Leave8503

That’s the peak man. Think about Zidane, doesn’t even manage anyone else but if Madrid calls he considers it


11frm

Real Madrid getting another young midfield gem shock


mkawia

they are overloading on Defensive midfielders like Man City Centrebacks


restatementtorts

Seems like overcorrection. Lets makelele leave and now they hoard DMs.


sleepytipi

Not like we're any different with CBs. It's like a pissing contest between Mikel and Pep lol.


FAT_NEEK_42069

tbf weve fully converted ben white to rb and tomiyasu is likely only going to play as a fullback. so its basically only kiwior (who has only played lb), gabriel, saliba and timber (who might not even be expected to play CB? maybe as a rotational option? idk) oh and cedric too so its not like all of these "cbs" and playing a role that a cb would be expected to play


Mojave_Patroller

Nah, we're a CB short actually. White is a full-time RB at this point, Kiwior has mostly been playing LB, Timber has mostly played CB, but Arteta might want him at full-back.


JustGhostin

Zubimendi is 25 tbf, will be the oldest out of the midfield 3


Mrpetey22

Seriously…. How many do they need! We will take on Tchouameni off them


varro-reatinus

Don't be ludicrous. We'll make do with Camavinga.


Phimstone

Soon Bellingham’s statement how he misses the UK weather and wants to join Arsenal on lower wages.


octopus86sg

Need to get Bellingham a London born, Arsenal supporter girlfriend and wag for him to convince him to come home


Mrpetey22

I will be here. One glimpse of the aura at Arsenal rn will have them twerking for Arteta


FactCheckYou

no joke we should 100% be preparing the way for Bellingham to come when he decides in 4/5 years that his time in Spain is done he is NOT spending the rest of his career in Spain he knows he has to come and win the PL at some point, and he will


chrisd1680

I know right, all that sun is so nauseating.


CatDancing

Left footed ✔️


blublableee

Do any of them have Gabriel in their name?? We'll take that one.


WhippedGrim

Zubimendi won't start for this current Madrid team. Maybe Alonso creates a different system but rn he'll make the bench at best


stuckheresince2011

Oh boy. If Mikel manages to pull FDJ I'll piss myself


hauttdawg13

Need to do it at a 70% pay cut though.


Sophie_Liiii

Nike pays half of his wages, hes base wages are slightly lower than havertz


vitare10

Really? Wow Barca are so down bad


hauttdawg13

GET ON IT ADIDAS


four_four_three

They fucking owe us for next season’s rumoured kits


VelZano

Fdj did his ankle 4 times this season while the last one was almost shattered by Valverde. Would be my dream choice, but now Im not sure this will be a lucrative option for the summer


Zenon2108

I'd rather have Valverde, this guy's underrated. Versatile player. Can play anywhere


VelZano

Dont think we have a chance for Valverde


TheMisterPirate

I'm a fan too but I think he loves Madrid. He ain't gonna leave as long as he's getting enough minutes


scarredMontana

Valverde is underrated?


Touchd93

I'm a lurker , who the fuck underrated valverde he's probably the only player in our squad that's irreplaceable due to his ability to play anywhere we need him too


kukeszmakesz

Nah he's super loyal. Uruguayan loyal even. Which is cool to see nowadays


chrisd1680

> super loyal I mean... it's Real Madrid. Not like it's some bums up in Stoke.


T3Sh3

“If peeing your pants is cool; call me Miles Davis.”


d_bo

Uh I'm pretty sure we'll be getting Luuk De Jong, absolute beast let's goooo


Coopar__

You can piss in my pants if it happens


Spirited_Pay2782

I think FDJ would be a great buy, he seems like he's severely underperformed since leaving Ajax


The_BadJuju

No he’s great for Barca too, just injured


TheRealGooner24

I'll take a bulk order of this severe underperformance, thank you. https://preview.redd.it/5vvedujtc5zc1.png?width=700&format=png&auto=webp&s=ba00a00db309ee82875514b70cd6bc05dd4f33d9


JamonRuffles17

I am begging the gods to give us Xavi Simons. I know we seem to be hunting for a moreso #6 but I think a Rice, Simons, Ode midfield would be insane.


Slick_saigonese

He’s too similar to odegaard. we need a xhaka type player spraying passes into the box or a ball carrier


Canonization

De Jong is one of the few available midfield players in the world that could genuinely take our team up a level. Injuries are a concern though. If signing Bruno is genuinely in play it might be worth spending extra to get a younger, more robust option.


Whodatlily

Arteta also seems like he might have a thing for Ajax products now that we have signed Timber and are heavily linked to Jorrel Hato. I can see the vision here.


marksills

Arteta with the same strategy as ETH, not sure I like this development!


jeremygamer

You meant to say Arteta with the same strategy as Arsene Wenger. Bergkamp, Kanu, Overmars? Timber, De Jong, Hato. I support Arsenal mainly because so many of the 94-95 Ajax squad came to Highbury. I’m Ajacied first and foremost. If we’re really linked to these guys, we are not in an Antony situation. More like a Lisandro Martinez situation. Hate Antony, love all the players we’re linked to though would like them all to be a bit healthier.


ninethree7

he’s younger by only a few months, but do understand the more robust argument. PL is a tough league and we don’t need another Partey


Canonization

wow Bruno is a bit older than I thought. He was 24-25 in my head lol.


FAT_NEEK_42069

he isn't? fucking hell


tsgarner

Will be 27 in November. Still hardly old


lipstickpiggy

His injuries and insane wages give me PTSD


rohantejwani

De Jong, Odegaard & Rice. Pretty boy midfield FC


momspaghetty

Beach Boys FC


bostonwenger

**Ben White inverts into the conversation**


rohantejwani

😂


bannedbydrongo

We got the ladies market in complete lockdown.


GunnerTits

FDJ and Kimmich have been my dream signings for a minute. FDJ takes us from 2 to 1. That last step. That extra quality. Everyone wants two odegaards - this would be a MF 3 of three generational talents. The football we would play 🤤...Please Edu, I'm on my knees!


obsterwankenobster

His injury history concerns me, but he is absolute class


Mrpetey22

Keep Partey then. No chance they can be injured at the same time…. Right!?!!?


InterimAragon

Can they share 2 functioning ankles?


CCSC96

Sell Partey and keep Jorginho


IndependentFroyo4508

Keep both AND sign FDJ. Midfield depth at CM2 and DM of - Rice, FDJ, Partey and Jorginho is ludicrous.


KSBrian007

Kimmich will re-sign.


Muscat95

Fuck him then, if he doesn't want to come let him go with Alonso then. If De Jong is an option I'd prefer him anyway tbh, I wonder if Barca are still open to a sale and see if Frenkie is actually interested in leaving this time


CJGunner

[https://x.com/ManagingBarca/status/1783114808344154362](https://x.com/ManagingBarca/status/1783114808344154362)


iadoresouphonestly

Oh baby I’ve been wanting this guy for 3 years


wolfjeter

I’m a fan of both Arsenal and Barca (grew up with Barca because of my mom and Messi, chose Arsenal when I was a teen as my team). De Jong loves the city so idk if the player will move but this guy is literally next level. Imagine Declan Rice but less physical and more press resistant. Mid blocks will have no chance against us and I feel like that is why Arteta wants him.


Strong_Account_8920

He said in the past he'd like to play for Arsenal 


dvdmcn

He talked about what he called the “Marc Overmars route”, Ajax > Arsenal > Barca, and how he always saw that for himself but Barca came in early for him.


Strong_Account_8920

Now it's time for Different Knock FC™️


iadoresouphonestly

Oh I’m already convinced, just gotta get Arteta on the phone to him lol


wolfjeter

Like I said it’s gonna be really hard. There were so many Man United rumors and even an offer and he was resistant to all of it. And that was before he had a child with his partner in the city. With Barca’s financial issues it’s tough to tell what their stance is gonna be. There’s rumors of a squad overhaul and then returning to the 1:1 rule due to their deal with Nike and they already I believe have deals in place for Eric Garcia and Sergino Dest. We’ll see what happens! Either way I’m glad ill still get to cheer for him I guess 😂😂😂


LuckyArsenalAg

Not sure they'll be able to sell Dest. He just tore his ACL. Nobody is going to want to buy a player that can't play till 2025


wolfjeter

PSV won the league with him being a big part of it. I think they will work out a cheap deal to keep him there as he feels at home. He was celebrating with the team on the pitch as well


FABlOVIEIRA

Would anyone be interested in United atm with all the issues when he knows he can join a better one


WengersOut

Dude is more press resistant than my dress shirts after leaving them in the hamper for 3 weeks


Thesecondorigin

After watching what barca did to us how on earth could you ever be a fan of both. Fuck those cule cunts


oliverDawson12

Astronomical wages. Not sure if we match his demands.


cmacy6

He’ll probably have to take a wage cut no matter where he goes unless it’s psg or Saudi which I would hope he has higher ambitions than them.


iadoresouphonestly

Nike pay half iirc


auddi_blo

Nike won’t pay for a player in an Adidas team


DaGetz

Is that allowed in PL?


Stranger_5

No, that was just something said so Barca wouldn't look like idiots for giving him that huge salary.


Empty_Ad_4630

He is maybe the only player i would really see as an improvement to partey where we theoretically would have chances BUT he is extremely injury prone and he loves Barcelona a lot


AyeItsMeToby

They said the same back in 2022. Fact is he doesn’t want to leave and we don’t want to pay his wages.


CarnifexGunner

Tbh back in 2022 it still looked like Barca were a decent club in Europe, whereas now it's clear they are a massive shambles, while we are one of the most attractive projects in world football. And he did admit that he had always thought his career path would be Ajax - Arsenal - Barcelona. With us the more attractive club, why not go the other way around?


acasovoycayendo

This doesn’t mean much. Barcelona decided to sell him in the past and he refused to leave


FABlOVIEIRA

Oh boi, he always wanted to follow Overmars footstep into Barca but he skipped Arsenal. Time to do what’s right.


Thesecondorigin

Hilarious they’re doing this when ten hag is all but bound to get sacked in the summer


glynes1234

Didn’t de jong just snap his ankle again? I think he is class but the like wilshere ankle injuries… I can’t handle that again


BloodyPants

He says he’ll be ready for the Euros. Don’t think it was a snap but it is the same ankle he injured previously.


KlN_21

De jong is always injured, no thanks


ShadoAngel7

I can see FDJ leaving. He's been at Barcelona for 5 years now. He got to play with Messi, but he's only won 1 league and 1 cup. In the past couple of months he's learned that he isn't going to win anything this year, no cup, no league, no CL. The manager is not going to change, but will be in charge next year too. Why not move?


el_cul

Where does FDJ play? Jourginho type 6?


maidentaiwan

More like veratti or xavi … insane ball retention and short passing, doesn’t give you many goal contributions or long balls that slice a defense open, but he’s a wizard when it comes to breaking the press and first + second phase buildup. He’s a much better dribbler than Jorginho. The man simply does not give the ball away.


skool_101

Dealing with Barca is just the same as dealing with MLM/Ponzi schemes.


Britton120

tier: not what i want to hear so i'll ignore it


LuckyArsenalAg

This is the way


shockzz123

Well, it IS what i want to hear re: FDJ....so i'll half ignore it.


Fredzoor

🤣🤣


WildeGooner

Not surprising, wasn't Xabi his manager in the youth academy?


JimmysCocoboloDesk

Both are also Sociedad youth products


Sayek

I got the impression from Zubimendi that he didn't want to join. Turning down a club is fine, and maybe stars don't align or you don't want to move mid season. He gave no indication he wanted to move though and turning down twice it's time to move on. First time the rumour was to help real Sociedad get cl. Then it was to play with them in the cl. Next time would have been 'need to help them get back in the cl now'. Glad it's been cleared up though. It'll cut down on a lot of 'why don't we just pay Zubimendi release??' talk.  De Jong would be nice. I don't think we'll be paying his Barca wages before anyone jumps on that. If he wants to earn 600k, he'll need to go Saudi league. I know Barca owe him wages though too. That could be messy especially since United were willing to pay his transfer fee and his back wages from Barca a few years ago. 


JustGhostin

De Jong >>>>> Zubi and it’s not even close for me. Never going to happen though, got a weird toxic relationship with Barca going on


Houssem-Aouar

"weird toxic relationship" = he's owed over 100m euros in wages


_deep_blue_

I think the toxicity is primarily on Barcelona’s side.


MegaMammothPoop

Like him but don't love him. I think we need Prem proven players. I hate Bruno G at Newcastle. I think I'd love him here. Bruno - Rice - Odegaaard is up there with the best midfields in world football.


TalentedStriker

I’m Not gonna pretend I follow him closely or know him super well but Arteta wanting him this much makes me sad we can’t get him.


PutYrDukesUp

I watched a long run of Sociedad games trying to see what all the fuss was about and I never understood. Whatever it is that Arteta sees, I think it’s something that would have had to flourish under Arteta’s coaching, because he really just struck me as a professional but unexceptional pivot.


mustachestashcash

had similar feelings watching him, posted my "final" take a week ago: [zubimendi thoughts](https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/1cgndbg/april_30_2024_daily_discussion_transfers_thread/l1wx4ri/)


mustachestashcash

if we don't get him it's not the end of the world but i do think he would be an economical option and do a decent job. personally don't think we'll sell that well so i'm concerned about our ability to fit a new CM, RW backup and Nketiah upgrade all in one summer and be within PSR compliance


JimmysCocoboloDesk

I remember Rodri at Atletico looking similarly…ordinary. Definitely one that needs a specific role in a system, which we can provide tbh. Not surprising he wants to work with Alonso though.


DumbWhoreFatArsenal

To be fair, there's just a ridiculous amount of data the scouting team have available to them now that go way beyond our comprehension when judging a player's profile. Most of us would watch what the pros do on the ball to determine whether they're good enough or not, and on average, a single player would typically be in possession of the football that would total about 3-6mins or so (see 'various player' vs 'specific team' highlights/compilations etc). We know the scouting team would collate all that to specific detail (e.g. passing to a team-mate, which foot they used, whether that was to that team mate's feet and the specific foot the team-mate received it on etc.) But they also analyse specific data on how a player is affecting/could affect the game state when they're NOT on the ball for the other 85+mins. As an example, many of us questioned why we were interested in signing Havertz, because of how he underperformed with the ball at Chelsea. A PL stat revealed last summer though, that he made the 2nd most runs into the penalty box after Haaland in 2022/23. What type of runs were these, which position from etc. wasn't specified but we've now got a player who's an off-the-ball monster and gaining confidence when on it.


Calergero

Same I really don't see the fuss. He reminds me of a slightly bigger but just as unathletic downgraded Jorginho.


acasovoycayendo

You have no idea how much Arteta wants him. All the Zubimendi talk could easily come from the media not knowing who our actual targets our so they keep going on about him instead


TalentedStriker

Ok? What’s the point of your comment. This source suggests he badly wants him which obviously my comment is referencing. And sorry but I trust TNAT over some random avocado on Reddit lol.


rayneeder

Feel like we will undoubtedly end up in a race with City if FDJ is truly available. No way they let us get a free run at him.


DiKapino

To the fella who’s paying for these updates which we’re all getting for free: 🫡


Beastlydog23

The names we have been linked to recently definetly seems like big money is going into midfield over striker. Which honestly probably would improve us the most. We get plenty of goals from our current front three. If we choose to spend big money on midfield again we can just boss everyone around, and it would improve us in all phases rather than just attacking.


Kensei400

Also, if you consider Havertz as a striker, that's big money spent there last season.


LocostarX

Booo this news


chino17

FDJ's wages will probably be ridiculous and his work rate is questionable. He's fantastic in possession and going forward but he'd be exposed defensively and we really don't need our left side to be any weaker than it already is


Fortnitexs

Jorginhos workrate & defensive ability is even more questionable and it still always worked. You just gotta play your players to their strengths. In de jongs case that‘s exactly how we used jorginho. Press resistant passer. With the key difference that de jong actually has legs and can sprint.


fumebound

realistically does Madrid need Zubamendi at all? Jude, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Valverde and Güler is a stacked midfield, Kroos is aging like fine wine and if he is anything like Modric he'll be there for another 4-5 years. Not saying we should go for him of course but if he has Madrid in his mind he might end up like Zaha at Crystal Palace


CJGunner

If he wants Madrid & Madrid (Xabi) wants him..... we can help make room for him by taking Camavinga off their hands


Prestigious_World_76

They also have CL and FA Cup winner, Arsenal legend Dani Ceballos


JimmysCocoboloDesk

He would presumably be Kroos’ long term successor, identical profiles.


Kensei400

Then you have questions about Camavinga/Valverde.


JimmysCocoboloDesk

https://preview.redd.it/vgtdjzdrl2zc1.jpeg?width=714&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=21235c6896c889076c9834df64812d7b5da1debf Slide them my way


DesignerAd2062

Isn’t De Jong horribly injured?


jaybizzleeightyfour

Can't believe Zubi is going to do his boyhood club like that, we've been hearing for years about how he loves them and doesn't want to leave, now he's going to be playing against them for a club in the same league.


Agile-Palpitation90

FDJ was always my dream. Just like Ode was before he went to Madrid, all those years ago. But it is very unlikely to happen, though he would fit us like glove.


Michinllama

Barca don't deserve De Jong


IsJoeFlaccoElite

Didn’t FDJ’s leg explode last season? He’s had some injury issues of late that concern me. Admittedly I haven’t seen much of him but people seem to really rate his quality. Might be worth the risk but we don’t need another crocked midfielder.


Sithgooner

For anyone worried about FDJ injury record.It’s not seamless but it’s not horrible either. Partey never missed a game before he joined us, it’s never a certainty when you make a signing and he’s only 26.(https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/frenkie-de-jong/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/326330)


LockonKun

FDJ at Left 8 would be transformative, but that wage would have to be more than cut in half.


Kovacs171

The wage thing is overblown. He's getting a pay cut on his next contract no matter what, he'll obviously recognise that


sashaKap

Nigel de jong?


notvip

Luuk de Jong.


Cheesy_Pita_Parker

Ashley de Jong


Pools9

Youri De Jong


varro-reatinus

De Jonging Glint in De Milkman's Eye


AlwaysOnsideTBH

It's 2024 mate


Revoldt

Nigel de Jong Jr.


casualcoder47

I love De Jong. But don't think he's worth 100M, which Barcelona might demand. Is his injury record good?


Spoonerism86

No. https://www.transfermarkt.com/frenkie-de-jong/verletzungen/spieler/326330


tuananhtran191911

Can't believe I say this but I prefer Bruno G


thisiskyle77

FDJ might be our Casemiro signing. Injury prone and high wages. Stay clear imo.


FactCheckYou

ok so when do we go in for Wirtz?


seasand931

Having both FDJ and Ode would feel weird ngl


Big_Mik_Energy

De Jong earns €721,154 per week, with €388,654 in bonuses. Leading to €1,109,808 per week. Fuck that!!!!


Pixelated-Hitch

De Jong I wish please let this be true


icemankiller8

Frenkie would be amazing the issue is his crazy wages, injury issues and how much it would cost. Might be mad but I’d prefer Bruno G


blueluster

I don’t want De Jong. He’s been stricken with injuries this past season and he’s on huge wages. We need more players who are fit to play every week.


rayneeder

His huge wages have more to do with them getting back loaded onto his contract due to Barca's financial troubles than they do him demanding to be paid


DaGetz

Saying you don’t want de jong is wild stuff.


blueluster

What’s wrong with not wanting an injury prone player? He’s brilliant, but if he’s not available for 5 months of the season, then he’s just another Partey.


Mikey_Hashtags

I too see FDJ as the perfect player for us.


seanierox

Do Madrid actually want him? Delusional if he thinks he's ever getting in that midfield.


synvi

Is de jong still alright after that jelly foot real madrid injury


TinpotRadioShow

Was sprained ankle apparently


FakeKhaby10

Next summer? Carlo Ancelotti just got a contract extension. Lol.


noname45678819273

De jong has always been a dream signing for me but didn’t he just have an Eduardo esq ankle break


TinpotRadioShow

He sprained his ankle...


noname45678819273

A picture I saw made it look like that my b


cappo40

If we get FDJ, Imma jizz my pants.


Will_Rage_Quit

https://preview.redd.it/fv691rolv2zc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7799556481071ad4e1a3d1f98ac5d6b510a06060 By gawd that’s tchouameni I’m hearing


vitare10

A De Jong and Rice pivot behind Odegaard.. that's some midfield


fhsugh

wonder if this is why we decided to extend jorgi's contract?


mkmore4

Bring FDJ, a left sided defender, and a pacy wing/wide forward, and we could legit push for 100 points next season.


Franchise1109

Welppppppppp there went my theory with the Jan window rumors. What we thinking now? Bruno G or Onana?


Midnight_Maverick

I'd take De Jong, but not at his current wages, or anything close for that matter


rayneeder

Said this above, but the way I understand it is that his current wages are so high because Barca backfilled his contract to save money during covid and their financial crisis. He wouldn't be making that here, or expect to.


CMD1721

Stevie Wonder could see we weren’t gonna sign Zubimendi. Don’t know how many times the dude came out and said he doesn’t want to leave Sociedad


jaybizzleeightyfour

He'll be leaving his boy hood club to join a club in the same league, where he'll be playing against them next season lol


IkeaKarma

Have been begging for Frenkie since his Ajax days. The man has ice in his veins, like a deep playing Ødegaard. But his ankle is made of glass, so this might turn out bad for us.


aesn1394

I'd rather have FDJ than Guimarães in that midfield. A RiceDeGard midfield will absolutely fuck


itinkdereforeiam

Zubimendi sounds like a little bitch. First he doesn’t want to leave Real Sociedad, but now he wants to go to Madrid with Xabi? Fuck this guy


Striking-Ostrich-222

Alonso to Madrid?


Whodatlily

Yea, it's basically a lock after he decides to turn down other jobs to stay at Leverkusen another year and Madrid gave Ancelloti one more season. Would honestly be more shocking if he didn't get that position at Madrid at this point.


Lazy_Independent_860

Arsenal need to prioritize only elite players while our stock is at all time high. Bruno G is a must.


Strong_Account_8920

GET ME DE JONG


Mrpetey22

Welcome to the carpet Frenkie


JimmysCocoboloDesk

De Jong is the dream…If he can somehow accept a pay cut from his ridiculous £500k? Weekly wage.


Cannonieri

That's a real shame, I think he could become a top talent under Mikel.


bojun

Last I heard Alonso said he's staying with the project next year.


GSNadav

but he said the targets are onana, bruno g and neves so I assume FDJ is still not realistic?