10 Sep 2020 10:12:01
Reports today that Arsenal have rejected our second bid for Martinez (£15m+), and even seen an Arsenal ITK on twitter saying our third bid will be £17.5m + £4.5.

All signs suggest he is THE GK target. all other links have gone very dead and suggestions are we're going all out to get our man. I like the look of him, he had a really great end to last season. but is he really a £22m GK? Might there be more value to be found looking elsewhere?

Fulham have done well to get Areola in on loan with an option, I just think as the price has escalated, maybe there's more value in re-looking at Romero, if he'd take a pay cut for first team football. Or is there someone Lange knows of? Joronen or Olsen maybe?

1.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 14:48:49
A little surprised by the rumours about a keeper.
Heatons return date is after first 3/ 4 games, so why spend 15/ 20 million on a stop gap.
Surly we need another CM, with 2 wide men before we spend this much?

2.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 16:50:35
I think the worry DS must have is will Heaton be adversely affected by the injury he has had especially at his age.
If Heaton breaks down during the season I don’t think Steer will be good enough in the Premiership and I would much prefer an experienced gk like Martinez.

3.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 19:44:02
Your spot on aka I think smith knows more about heatons injury than we do, I think heatons no 1 days are coming to an end, can’t fault him he was great for us but no point spending more money on a mediocre GK when we have 3 of them already, last season hurt us to much when we lost heaton, as the saying go’s “hope for the best but plan for the worst” I think it’s the smart move, no point spending all that money on outfield players and ending up with nyland in goal till xmas then get our pants pulled down in January for a replacement.

4.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 19:48:16
I think Smith wants a keeper with PL experience to vie for the senior spot with Heaton. His faith in the other options already within the squad seems flimsy at best. I am sure Smith would consider Joronen or Olsen feel too much like gambles. I know he has improved since, but memories of Gollini from the Italian league still flicker!

I am sure the aim is to try and move Kalinic on now and Nyland either in January or upon expiry of his contact next June. Rightly or wrongly, Steer seems destined for the third keeper spot, but at least he has nearly three years to run on his deal.

5.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 19:52:51
Fully agree Aka. It’s a priority position for the first half-dozen games, but Heaton’s injury record isn’t good anyway, so there’s going to be doubts whether he can be relied on to complete the season even if he fully recovers.

I just think £22m is a bit much, if that’s what it works out at. when there are other options to explore. Romero on a three year deal if he’d take a pay cut could probably get for £8m. There’s been no further links to Olsen so I guess that’s not an option. Gazzaniga no better than Steer IMO and he’s been linked again.

6.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 20:33:42
From Bham Mail.

Arsenal have decided to sell Emi Martinez, according to reports in the national press.

Villa are said to be his preferred choice of next club, with personal terms already agreed with Dean Smith's side.