Flamini too... but in both instances it's somewhat different. Nasri had been poor for us until his penultimate season and no doubt the cash signs began lighting up his eyes.

Sometimes I wonder just how genuine we are in contract negotiations and wonder if it's just a foil used to condone the sales of players. Given the frequency of it.

Either way, I won't be jumping through hoops when Eisfeld signs.

Makes me laugh - we sign a potentially talented youngster and people moan that he can't be that good if he didn't stay at his old club.

There could be many reasons he doesn't want to stay, perhaps he doesn't feel he'll get the opportunities at Dortmund, who knows?

It's not a moan as such, simply posing the question as to why Dortmund haven't tied him down sooner and why he's moving away if he's scared of competition there.

The other half of the point I was trying to make is that, are we now viewed as a club whose first team is easier to break into than Dortmunds from an attacking midfielders perspective? I'd certainly agree with him on that front, as I've stated for a while now our wide midfielders are simply not good enough.

When the team is crying out for quality, it's just frustrating beyond belief that once again this is what we have to settle for.

I took this stance when Suarez was linked earlier in the window, so I haven't got it in for him simply because he's a kid.

AND ... what's even more frustrating is we're signing him... and have Lansbury out on loan?!

Who has proven his ability in a league that's much better than Germany's Under 19's.

An inexperienced 19 year old with a dodgy ACL. Great just what we need FFS.

I do not want to do the lad a disservice but he is a utility type player, young and technically gifted. Translation, a good squad player with some potential. I am all for looking after and recruiting the younger talent but neglecting strengthening the 1st team squad has hurt us over the last few years and continues to do so. By all means invest in younger talent but counter that with some solid 1st team investment. The purchases this summer were made to strengthen a weakened, depleted and demoralised side. More of this type of transfer on the horizons, for a few years at least.

I doubt anyone has really seen this kid play minus a few youtube clips, can't really comment on what role he'll play but i imagine he'll be in the reserves and will use the next 6 months as an adaptation period. Some seem to believe we've signed the next Amury Bischoff due to the fact he's suffered a serious injury but to counter that claim it seems his form for the youth team has been impressive which is why BVB tried to extend his contract. Lets hope he comes back to bite them on their arses just like Marco Reus has who they've paid €17.5 million for despite having let him go at the age of 18 similar to Thomas Eisfeld.

I don't see the need for any ire; the only negative effect of this transfer is if it had an impact on bringing in better personnel in a timely fashion, but as we were never going to do any business this window it renders that line of thought irrelevant.

Low fee, just a 'Wenger punt' on a youngster who could make a name for himself in the game. If he doesn't, we haven't lost anything, and he will be shipped out easily.

The most 'beneficial' aspect of this transfer for myself is the perception that we are looking closely at the German market (closely enough to find a longterm injured youngster who seems to have little reputation). The Bundesliga is rich pickings for upwardly-mobile clubs right now, and given the volume of young talent on display, we should indeed be looking closely at a nation who I suspect will usurp Spain as the dominant International side in coming years.

Another "Aldi" purchase!
Kind of amazing that when you have only 1 striker and a handful of dross, and 1 decent full back, the only thing you do in the window is bring in someone who might, and that is the point, he might, turn into something decent in a few years. I would have thought the concentration would be better focussed on the immediate problems we face.

Aldi purchase

Anyone get a chance to watch him for the ressies? All the reports suggest he had an impressive game playing behind the striker, very tidy on the ball and linked up well with fellow German youngster Gnabry.