After Giroud, now what?

The confirmation of Olivier Giroud's transfer to Arsenal was as expected as spring in April. This is what the ever accelerating news media of the 21st century means. All the details are out there, all the stories are leaked. The standard statements of "long-term contract" and "undisclosed fee" look increasingly like anachronisms.

Arsenal have now signed two forwards for a - reported - combined fee of close to £24m. This is a significant investment for the club. It seems very likely that fringe players will need to be sold before any others are signed. This is also the general tone in most reports about the Giroud deal, like in the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror. Carlos Vela, Denílson and Nicklas Bendtner are most often mentioned.

The other incoming target most mentioned in the media is Yann M'Vila, the Rennes and France midfielder. While some interest on Arsenal's part is likely, signing a central midfielder at this stage would be very unlike manager Arsène Wenger. There are easily eight central midfielders already competing for three places, most of them internationals!

Anyway, the on-and-off nature of the last weeks and months' reports suggest that the deal is talked about a lot more by M'Vila's representatives and not by Arsenal sources. The name of the club is used to trigger interest from other clubs, and vice versa.

To stick out my neck properly: any completed deal for M'Vila to Arsenal would surprise me!

Meanwhile, Arsenal's attempts to sell misfit forwards are overshadowed by this summer's great will-he-won't-he spectacle. Robin van Persie carries the Vieira/Fàbregas mantle, knowing full well that this is the summer he can command the most in fees and salary.

The Dutchman's negotitation position isn't as good as Fàbregas' and Nasri's last summer, though. The lost boys of 2011 were both in their early twenties. Van Persie is about to turn 30. Staying with Arsenal another season (as his contract will bind him to do if necessary) will seriously dent his market value whatever his performances on the pitch.

Steve Stammers of the Daily Mirror discusses it here, and concludes that van Persie has the most to lose in "the gamble" of the new contract talks with Wenger. This report from the Independent suggest that interest from Juventus and Chelsea has waned already.