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[Dirk Diggler UK]

Why would Mata want to go to Sp*rs???

[TRAV1$]

Arsenal are all over the shop, going in for Mata after his buyout clause expired

[Dynamite Kid]

Arsenal and Spurs battling it out for Mata and Barton apparently. Don't think either of them need Barton he wouldn't get in their starting 11's. Mata would be a decent signing for either side.

I just cant see us getting him.

I fear either Milan, if Sneijder leaves, will be in for him, or that City, if they dont get Nasri, might turn their attentions to Mata, and that's without talking about the various other big clubs around Europe.

I just cant see a situation where by Mata goes to Arsenal and atleast not one of the big clubs tries to scupper the deal.

[Dynamite Kid]

In the depths of the transfer window, with scoops and exclusives being hurled at you from every possible angle, sometimes it’s hard to know who to believe. So let’s start by telling you who not to believe.

First up, Guillem Balague. I’ve got nothing against Balague the man. Despite his eerily accurately trimmed beard, he seems like a decent enough sort. I also understand the pressures of his job: as a freelance journalist, he has to generate his own work. The consequence of that, however, is that having “a story?becomes more important than it being a “true story?

This is all well and good until such a story begins to toy with the emotions of that most vulnerable of creatures, the Arsenal fan. Having already written in AS that a €23m deal for Juan Mata was done, he then spent yesterday telling anyone who’d listen that the buyout clause in Mata’s contract had now expired, and Arsenal could be forced to pay anything up to €60m ?the deal, in essence, was off. This, of course, sent morale among Arsenal fans spiraling, as the twits on Twitter tried to decide who to blame: had Arsene forgotten about the expiration of this clause, or was it the fault of Ivan Gazidis, who had crucially forgotten his pin number just as the deal was about to go through?

It is all, of course, nonsense. If such a clause existed ?which it may have done ?and Arsenal felt that this deadline was essential to us agreeing a deal, then it would have been done. As it is, with Valencia having already signed a potential replacement for Mata in Sergio Canales, we probably remain confident of agreeing a fee regardless. Furthermore, signing a replacement for Cesc before striking a deal with Barca would only weaken our hand.

Fortunately for all of our sanity, the player’s father has cleared up the situation somewhat:

“Valencia simply rejected their offer. After some hesitation they answered ‘no?to the Gunners?offer.

“So my son remains a Valencia player, for now. But I don’t think it’s their last offer.

“There are several offers for Mata and I think that Arsenal will come forward again. The situation is still evolving.?br />
So it’s exactly the same as where we stand with Jagielka: one bid rejected. Now whether or not we return with improved offers will tell us just how badly we want these players.

Much, of course, depends on what happens with Cesc and Nasri. Neither situation has progressed since the weekend, but The Sun claim City will return with a ?2m offer for the Frenchman this week. Whether Arsenal will be in any position to accept or refuse that, without knowing Fabregas?fate, remains to be seen.

Chairman Peter Hill-Wood has spoken out about transfers once more, saying:

“As Arsene said, we are looking to buy some players but we are not going to do our business in public. They are going to have to be bloody patient ?as we are.

It is frustrating for both the fans and Arsene and the board.?br />
Some would say we already have been quite patient. The season is right around the corner now and so it’s understandable if that patience is beginning to wear a little thing. Nevertheless, I maintain my belief that it will only take a few dominos to fall for this to be a successful summer for Arsenal. Cross all available digits and pray.

Finally, my opinion on a few rumours floating around that I don’t wish to dignify with links: Arsene has neither the money nor the desire to sign both Gary Cahill AND Phil Jagielka; if Stoke couldn’t afford Cameron Jerome then they can’t afford Nicklas Bendtner; and Arsenal signing Joey Barton is about as likely as Arsene bringing Neil Ruddock out of retirement to play as a creative midfielder.

[TRAV1$]

So as long as you don't end up paying more than 22 million for him, nobody's going to look ******.

[D-MiZe]

England out of the u20 world cup already.

[El Fenomeno]

Balague just makes stuff up haha, never trust a word that man says. This is the guy that once claimed that Beckham would never sign for Real Madrid.

[SLIMY RAT]

How is Ancelotti getting on at Chelsea?

You need to understand that a squad can't gel instantly, it's not footy manager. Patience is the key. If you think 6 or 7 players can walk into a new country at the same time and piss the league then as I've said, you're clueless.

Mourhino gelled the Chelsea side very quickly it certainly wasn't the finished article when he turned up

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Mourhino gelled the Chelsea side very quickly it certainly wasn't the finished article when he turned up

They had just finished 2nd - their highest ever position. And got the the CL Semis - their best ever result.

Mourinho always comes into teams that are already successful or on the cusp of success and then takes full credit for their successes.

[SLIMY RAT]

Yep because Porto had always been knocking on the door of winning the CL

When your one of the best managers in the world you have your pick of top clubs hence he has money to spend.. The point was just like Mancini he had a lot of bodies to blend and he did it quickly and won the league/got robbed by scouse scum

Mourhino is god.. Mancini is not fit to lick his boots