Stan Collymore slams Arsenal’s ’embarrassing’ transfer business

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Former Premier League striker Stan Collymore has branded Arsenal’s transfer activity so far ’embarrassing.

The Gunners have only made one signing so far this summer in the form of Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli for around £6 million (Telegraph).

But there have been plenty of reports about the north Londoners bidding for players.

Two that appear to be big priorities for Arsenal at the moment are Kieran Tierney and Wilfried Zaha.

£15 million and £40 million bids have reportedly been launched for the pair, but in the eyes of ex-Liverpool and Nottingham Forest hitman Collymore, those offers aren’t good enough.

He wrote for The Sunday People (quoted by The Express): “I’m not sure what Arsenal are playing at, offering £40m for Wilfried Zaha. Not when they know he’s valued at double that by Crystal Palace.

“It smacks of Arsene Wenger’s days at the club, when he was on a crusade for financial prudence in football and didn’t want to fuel a transfer market fire already burning out of control.

“Unai Emery obviously likes Zaha, and that’s easy to understand because he’s fast, strong and aggressive and only 26.

“As that’s the case, pay the going rate and stop embarrassing yourselves with bids that won’t succeed and just make you look foolish.”

TBR’s view

Arsenal fans might not like to hear it, but Collymore is right.

The opening £40 million bid for Zaha was derisory and simply a waste of time, especially with Wan-Bissaka having gone for £50 million.

There is only one month to go until the summer transfer window closes and the club have to be shrewd and decisive.

It’s tough because of the lack of finances available to the club this summer, but low-balling is not the answer – it wastes time and irritates selling clubs.