London Colney was a far cry from the majority of Premier League training grounds yesterday, as clubs up and down the country made last minute additions on a frenetic transfer deadline day.
Arsenal were one of the quieter sides in the market this year, but there was business going on up to yesterdays deadline, mostly with players going out. We detail the final days of the window from an Arsenal perspective.
The pursuit of Southampton winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain created most of the transfer related headlines over the month, but the deal, despite seeming very much on a week ago, never came to fruition. A number of English newspapers consistently jumped the gun on his protracted signing, but the League One club were never close to parting with their star man.
Arsenal moved in amid massive interest from Manchester United and Liverpool, but negotiating a deal proved a frustrating and ultimately unsuccessful task. The club were willing to match Southampton’s £10 million asking fee, but were miles apart in their payment ideas. The Gunners were only willing to pay around £5 million now, with £3 million in add ons in the future, and the rest in structured bonuses. That was swiftly turned down, and despite more talks, the interest in concluding a deal ended over the weekend.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has set his heart on a move to North London, but the Saints proved once more what a tricky club they are to do deals with. Liverpool also made an offer, but that was rejected as well. A future move for the 17-year-old could be on the cards, but its not clear at this stage.
There was also a selection of outs yesterday. Gavin Hoyte re-signed on loan with Lincoln City until the end of the season, Gilles Sunu got his wish of a short term move back to France with Lorient, Ryo Miyaichi’s loan move to Feyenoord was rubber stamped and Nacer Barazite sealed a permanent switch to Austria Vienna.
Barazite moves on a free transfer, but under FIFA rules, Vienna will be paying Arsenal a small training allowance of around £100,000. The move had been on the cards for a while, with Arsène Wenger telling the Dutchman he was free to leave in the summer.
Elsewhere, there was late drama involving Kyle Bartley. Wenger had spoken of the potential of recalling him from Sheffield United earlier in the day, but then a switch to Scottish Champions Rangers came about. The Blades confirmed that they had mutually agreed to cancel the loan deal earlier in the day, with the Gunners returning some of the loan fee paid.
Bartley’s switch to Rangers, until the end of the season, came without him even going to Glasgow. In fact he only arrived there this afternoon. The transfer baffled some Arsenal fans, but Europa League football, the prospect of playing Celtic three times and a Cup final to look forward to in the next few weeks, add up to a solid experience building move.
It’s a far cry from the nightmare unfolding at Sheffield United, who have had three managers this season. Kyle is expected to go straight into the squad for tomorrows game against Hearts.