Silly season is truly here.
With the transfer window a few days old, Daily Star have taken it upon themselves to claim one of the more unbelievable, random and unlikely ‘exclusive’ stories that we’re likely to see over the next few weeks: Troy Deeney to Arsenal.
Tuesday’s Daily Star back page: Troy the boy for Wenger #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/EJwF1bhgSS
— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) January 4, 2016
Deeney has scored six goals and assisted five in 20 appearances in his debut Premier League season. Of his strikes to find the back of the net, three have come from the penalty spot. He’s 27, Watford’s captain, and signed a five-year contract back in the summer. According to the Daily Star report he would probably cost Arsenal around £20m.
It all adds up to one of the most bizarre rumours you’re ever likely to see.
Deeney is a handful, no doubt. An intelligent and unselfish player, his strength allows him to hold the ball up and battle with defenders while his willingness makes him a handful for anyone. He isn’t, however, worth £20m of anybody’s money and he won’t be signing for Arsenal, where he would be third choice at best.
Frenchman Olivier Giroud has been excellent so far this season, scoring 15 goals, while Theo Walcott impressed everyone with a stint up front before an injury in November. With Alexis Sánchez due to return soon, Walcott will be a viable option to lead the line once again. The Gunners are waiting on the fitness of Danny Welbeck, who has been out for nine months, but if he returns this season he would also be ahead of Deeney in the pecking order.
The Watford skipper has proven himself to be a decent Premier League striker so far this season, combining extremely well with Odion Ighalo, but he isn’t Arsenal level and he certainly isn’t worth £20m. There’s no chance Arsène Wenger would even contemplate spending that amount of money on him.