Today, we ran the latest edition of our subscriber-exclusive Ask Ornstein Q&A.
Once a week for an hour, The Athletic’s subscribers can ask me for my views on anything from the football world. I have pulled together some of my favourite questions and my answers are below.
Want to ask me a question? Join us again on Thursday.
Ivan S. asked: “Are the reports true about Andrea Berta wanting Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi? Also, is it true that Arsenal are going to have a £300million budget this summer?”
David Ornstein: Let’s get going. Now, this is a personal opinion rather than sourced information but I don’t see Arsenal signing Zubimendi and Guimaraes.
We know about the historical Guimaraes links but that ship seemed to have sailed. I’m not sure I can envisage Arsenal paying the kind of money Newcastle would ask for him (who, like Alexander Isak, they probably want to keep), especially given that he turns 28 this year.
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Zubimendi is at a very advanced stage and the anticipation inside Arsenal is that he’s coming in. That deal would be a significant financial outlay, as would any move for a striker. There’s also other work to do — possible wide attacker, awaiting the decision of Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan, perhaps something in defence, one or two goalkeepers — and although there will be exits, I’m not sure recruiting Zubimendi and Guimaraes would be feasible even if Berta did want that (which I don’t know he does).
In terms of the £300million ($388m) reports, I’m not aware of a specific number but Arsenal recently posted healthy financial results, they’re expected to qualify for the Champions League again and they didn’t spend in the winter window, so there will definitely be room to manoeuvre. I’d expect it to be a pretty busy summer at the Emirates.
Adam A. asked: “Are there any left-backs Liverpool are looking at? Milos Kerkez, for example?”
Ornstein: They will have a shortlist of potential targets. Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain) and Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) were highly thought of at Anfield but both have signed new contracts. Kerkez remains a strong option and Bournemouth will be open to doing business if their financial expectations are met.
This one definitely has a chance, but the price is likely to be above what Liverpool would normally pay for a full-back — plus they will have other options and Kerkez will have multiple suitors.
They already have two top-level left-backs in Andy Robinson and Kostas Tsimikas, so you imagine one of them will need to go if another senior player is to arrive in that position.
Fazeel N. asked: “With Geovany Quenda joining Chelsea after previously being linked with Manchester United, is that right wing-back position a priority for United in the summer? Do they have any targets or are they looking to move forward with Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad?”
Ornstein: Despite where he played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP, 17-year-old Quenda has mainly been used as a winger since the head coach joined United and that is where Chelsea intend to deploy him — on either side. So I’m not sure United would have been signing him as a right wing-back… but that’s all hypothetical now.
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United’s interest suggests they will be looking at other/similar opportunities on the market but that doesn’t guarantee they will do something. Mazraoui seems to be flourishing in that right-sided role, so it won’t be panic stations. I expect United to make a handful of signings this summer and none of them are likely to stay with/be loaned back to their existing club in the way Quenda is going to be following this Chelsea deal.
So although they were strongly in for him, it perhaps wasn’t feasible for United in the end anyway. As you say, Dalot and Amad are also options… perhaps this position isn’t at the very top of their agenda.
Harry J. asked: “Is Luis Diaz looking to leave in the summer and are Liverpool targeting any left-wingers to replace him — and if yes, who?”
Ornstein: There is still no sign of a new contract, which is unusual for such a prominent player who has been at Anfield for as long as Diaz has. Barcelona have long been linked with him; their admiration is genuine. There was definitely something in the Manchester City reports last summer, too. If he is available, there will be many suitors!
Amid all the focus on Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold coming closer and closer to the ends of their contracts, this is one of the lesser-mentioned unknowns at Anfield but still hugely important. As we know, Liverpool looked at Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon before last year’s June 30 PSR (profit and sustainability rules) deadline, but I don’t know if that will be revisited.
They will naturally have several other options, too, if something needs to be activated.
Kristian M. asked: “Will we see some ‘unpopular’ sales from Arsenal this summer?”
Ornstein: If Arsenal are going to commit a lot of money on a striker, and the Zubimendi deal mentioned above gets done, resources will need to be raised. It wouldn’t shock me to see a notable player depart this summer but I don’t know who that might be.
Anonymous U. asked: “Do you think (England manager) Thomas Tuchel believes Jarell Quansah is better than Jarrad Branthwaite? Were there no other centre-back options?”
Ornstein: Quansah is perhaps more versatile, given he can play at centre-back and may well start the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at right-back. I’m a massive fan of Branthwaite and believe his time will come. Maybe where there were close calls for his first England squad, Tuchel ultimately favoured players who have been competing towards the top of the Premier League.
Jim C. asked: “How likely are West Ham to sign anyone in the summer? Is it true they need to sell players to buy anybody?”
Ornstein: West Ham are always active in the market, especially in summer windows, and I expect them to be again this year. The striker position is probably still high in their thinking, given Evan Ferguson’s loan from Brighton will end in May and we don’t know what will happen with Michail Antonio (who turns 35 this month).
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I’ve not heard they’re in a ‘Sell to buy’ position, especially given their financial health (heavily aided by the stadium, of course). It will be the first off-season for head coach Graham Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay. Let’s also see if the club add to their sporting/recruitment setup. It should be a fascinating window at the London Stadium.
Dylan B. asked: “Do you expect Jorginho and Thomas Partey to leave Arsenal in the summer?”
Ornstein: Not settled yet but there’s a very good chance. It may be influenced by the status of potential arrivals in midfield.
Jerome S. asked: “There were reports this week regarding Jadon Sancho and the loan and buy option details. Is there any truth that he might end up back at Manchester United? Does he figure to be a part of Chelsea’s planning, or has that changed?”
Ornstein: It was a loan with a conditional obligation to buy, Jerome. Those conditions must be met, and then — as has been reported elsewhere — Chelsea can decide against going through with the obligation by paying a fee. So, technically, Sancho could return to United in the summer but that was not the aim of any party when they embarked upon this deal. Let’s see if that remains the case or changes, which would obviously be a big story.
Sean M. asked: “What is Chelsea’s thinking in regards to splashing out €50million on a player (Quenda) for two seasons’ time? Will there be significant funds still available for Enzo Maresca in this summer’s window? And how strong is Chelsea’s interest in Viktor Gyokeres?”
Ornstein: Gyokeres, of Sporting CP, will deservedly be among the striker options Chelsea, and all top clubs, are assessing. I’m not aware of them prioritising him or vice versa — but I do expect them to bring in a No 9.
There’s been no suggestion of funds not being available and that will only be helped by some inevitable exits — Chelsea have done a lot of trading under their owners and I’d anticipate that continuing, even if not at the same rate as previously.
Centre-back Mamadou Sarr is coming in from Strasbourg and Chelsea are very busy signing some of the best young players around. We’ll continue to update you on The Athletic in the weeks ahead.
Tom A. asked: “Any information on the motivations to select a 34-year-old Jordan Henderson for this England squad over Adam Wharton or Morgan Gibbs-White?”
Ornstein: I suspect leadership and experience, perhaps in the dressing room and around the camp as much as on the pitch. Wharton’s time is coming and, I’d like to think, Gibbs-White’s as well. They’ve both had a taste already and their trajectory could not be more clear. Top talents!
Wilfred B. asked: “Hugo Larsson, the midfielder from Eintracht Frankfurt, looks likely to be a hot commodity this summer from all reports, with many Premier League clubs seemingly interested. What are you hearing and who can we expect to be aggressive in pursuit of his signature?”
Ornstein: I can’t guarantee you Larsson will move, or where that destination might be if he does, but the 20-year-old Swede is an elite talent who most of the leading clubs in England and abroad will be monitoring (at the very least). He really is one to watch, Wilfred.
(Top photo: Getty Images)
