Wenger - “I see Sahin as not a deep, deep midfielder, but a little bit higher. We have Wilshere coming back quicker and he is a similar type of player.
“If we wanted to sign Sahin, we would have done it."
Interesting. I wonder if we did actually pull out of the race to sign him. Interesting if we did, because he's an exceptional talent, although one can never take Arséne's word as gospel when he's talking transfers.
The fact remains I expect he’d have been our highest paid player had we signed him – I think Liverpool are paying around £100,000p/w of his wages. Considering a certain Dutch forward was our previous highest earner on a reported £80,000p/w, I would imagine Sahin would be our top earner.
Considering it’s only a temporary deal, that’s ridiculous. Add into it that he was only expected to be signing to alleviate the pressure on Jack this season, not even as a guaranteed starter, and he only played 11 games last season, and the cost of this loan deal becomes pretty hefty.
Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved for us to sign him, but there are plenty of other factors to consider, and if the £5m wages and £4m loan fee Liverpool are paying are utilised effectively in other areas of the squad where we don’t have Arteta, Diaby, Coquelin, Ramsey as well as Jack and Frimpong when they’re fit who are all pretty similar players to Sahin, then I’ll be happy.
As for Liverpool, it gives them a genuinely creative midfielder instead of Allen (tidy and efficient - I like him as a player but he's not someone who will make things happen) or the ageing Gerrard who I would describe as a box-to-box midfielder.
I'll be interested to see where he fits in at Liverpool, whether Rodgers decides Gerrard's time's up or if he just wants him to compete with Allen.
Sahin
posted on 25/8/12
I gather we are paying £3m for the loan and £85k per week. Not cheap. He'd have improved either team, but I understand the Gooners trying to put a positive spin on it - did we not do exactly the same when Siggurdson went to Spurs? I'm looking forward to seeing him play for us!!
posted on 25/8/12
He was always going to be a luxury signing. But it was a luxury we needed IMO. I'd rather have him starting games for us than Diaby or Ramsey. The thing that annoys me most is the by taking the option not to sign him, we have allowed Liverpool to strengthen significantly. If he finds the form he showed at Dortmund he will be their best player.
posted on 25/8/12
Deleting my comment. Does the truth hurt?
posted on 25/8/12
Wenger - “I see Sahin as not a deep, deep midfielder, but a little bit higher. We have Wilshere coming back quicker and he is a similar type of player.
I said that so many times here. No one believe me
posted on 25/8/12
I have to laugh at people coming out with figures for loan fee and wages, based on press speculation, when it was the same press that were going.
Sahin to Liverpool done deal. No wait to Arsenal tomorrow. No wait, neither. No wait, he is definitely signing for Liverpool. Hang on, it's Arsenal this time etc etc.
The press know diddly squat.
posted on 25/8/12
I met Diddly Squat once, excellent guitarist - never got the exposure he deserved. It was a shame about his dog.
posted on 25/8/12
Anyone else really bored??
posted on 25/8/12
I think in regards to the buyout fee, Arsenal can afford not to take him on a year loan as they're in the Champions League and can attract Champions League standard players. Liverpool are not in the Champions League and the chance to get a Champions League standard player for a season was too good to miss out on.
This could enable Liverpool to get a Champions League place and thus be able to attract Champion League standard players next season.
His worth to Liverpool was more than his worth to Arsenal.
posted on 25/8/12
"His worth to Liverpool was more than his worth to Arsenal."
Exactly! This is why I really wanted us to sign him because by allowing him to join you we now have another genuine contender for a CL finish.
posted on 25/8/12
Loan fee is exactly the same as what arsenal offered , 2m.
The difference is in the % of wages , arsenal only wanted to pay 60% whereas Liverpool are paying 70% as well as relocation costs for Sahin.
All in all, should be about 1m more than what arsenal offered...
@ Arsenal!
Wenger thinks Wilshere > Sahin!