Why do Arsenal struggle so badly with transfers?
There are, of course the regular sound bites which emanate from the club about not paying over the odds in a market that continues to inflate almost month on month.
But there is a difference between paying over the odds and paying good money for a great investment.
And, in general, there seems to be feeling of indecision around the place every time the transfer market opens.
This summer Arsenal have been looking for a centre back – ostensibly at a snail’s pace.
And, after apparently making what seemed like an insulting bid last week for a fully fledged Germany international who hasn’t even reached his prime, it appears that the injury to Gabriel Paulista may have kicked Arsenal into action.
Because The Daily Mail reports:
Arsenal to make £30m bid for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi
The 24-year-old Germany international of 12 caps and one goal looks like a superb proposition. He’s three years away from his peak and if he continues to perform as he has been for Valencia, where he has scored 6 goals in 78 imperious games over two years, he will be worth more in a few years than he is now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZLnfHeHGUE
It’s a noble quest to refuse to pay silly money. But if Arsenal really want to stay with the pack, they will have to start making bigger investments. Investments which could actually make them money in the long-term but which may require the sort of outlays which clearly make Arsene Wenger weak at the knees.