Ben Jacobs REVEALS Arsenal want TWO MORE ATTACKERS & gives LATEST on Cristian Romero to the Gunners!

There's always politics in football, is there not?Particularly when it comes to transfers.We're going to get the very latest from our senior transfer correspondent, Ben Jacobs.We're going to bring him in now.Good...Well, it's not good in the afternoon.

Good morning, Ben.How are you doing, mate?Good morning.Look, one of the things we've been talking about are the reports regarding Cristian Romero.I mean, Darren and I both agree that in terms of you know, the culture that he represented at Spurs, and we saw that manifest itself in the way that Argentina behaved in the World Cup.Every single Spurs fan I speak to wants him gone out of the football club.

He's been linked to Atletico for a long time.I know that you've been reporting that, Ben, but there have been recent links to Arsenal.We think that that's absolute pie in the sky.What's the latest when it comes to Cristian Romero?

Yeah, it is pie in the sky in the sense that Spurs don't want to sell to Arsenal, even if they get crazy money.And remember, Arsenal first wanted Ezri Consa still a target, and Aston Villa's valuation was in excess of £60m, and Arsenal were only prepared to pay half that.So if they're to proceed with Ezri Consa, they've got to up their bid.And then coming back to Romero, Tottenham, who signed Jan -Paul van Gecke one year left on his contract for £52m, are obviously going to be using that kind of valuation as a starting point if they possibly can maybe the number drops to sell him outside of the Premier League.But if Arsenal come calling for Romero, the price would be astronomical.And even though Sol Campbell did it, there's absolutely no intent to sell to a rival.

So that's going nowhere, even though Romero was discussed internally.Inter have tried, but the overall cost of the deal is also problematic.So Atleti, even though they haven't bid yet, are probably the favourites now.And the reason why I say that is because 12 months ago, they were there as well.And Romero did an interview and he said he wants to play La Liga so the players leaning towards that move and now the Spanish side are expected to bid Ben serious question for you You know, I'm Arsenal.

They've got some terrific center backs there.Yes, they've got injuries.Are they really looking at Romero?Is that where they are knowing the controversy?that would create, knowing how difficult that would be, or is this just more nonsense from agents and media and stuff to drag it in?

I think agents can't really put that link out there because we put scrutiny on it and say, wait a minute.My information is Arsenal have discussed the player, but it's not gone any further.They basically want a centre -back.They looked at John Stones.He went to Inter.They're still trying for Ezri Consa, who would be the ideal choice.

But Arsenal basically bid half what Aston Villa are looking for.And Romero, to some extent, just a market opportunity.At least clubs want to try their luck because maybe Tottenham are looking for an exit now.Micky van der Veen is going to extend.They've strengthened in defence already.And as you said in your original question, the challenge with Romero is that at times for Tottenham, he didn't act like a leader.

One of these strange players, like Marmite, I suppose, that can divide a fan base, because if he's on your team, you get behind him, as, of course, they do internationally for Argentina.But so many games, we saw a loss of head.And that's the big challenge, I think, that Tottenham are happy to sell him, and maybe for a premium, because they realize they're building a new culture here.They've revamped their defense.and to a large extent he's surplus to requirements and that's maybe why Arsenal were wondering could we get a deal here but the cold hard reality is if Arsenal knock on Tottenham's door it's either going to be we're not even answering the door or you want this player give us 100 million pounds.

Ben, yesterday morning, yourself and our Chief Football Correspondent were both reporting that Barcelona are now leading the race to sign Rodri from Manchester City, notwithstanding the loss that that would be to City in a new era under Enzo Maresca.What's the latest on that?And is it the case that Real Madrid have dropped the ball here?Because it seemed to be reading reports that Real Madrid were in the driving seat with this one.

Yeah, Rodri wanted Real Madrid earlier in the window and Florentino Perez hadn't decided what kind of midfielder he was going for, which is why several names were linked, including Enzo Fernandez.want to it's for in excess of £50 million and I come back again to that Van Hecker deal.I seem to have said it so many times during this window because as great as Van Hecker is with his contractual situation and with other defenders available, the fact that Spurs paid £52 million any other position, any other team, especially when you've got Ballon d 'Or winner, best player at the World Cup, they're going to be looking at that as a yardstick.So my expectation is that Barcelona are going to have to pay over 50 million quid if they want to get to the World Cup.over the line.

Ben, we've been talking about the Vinicius Jr deal, obviously discussing whether or not Arsenal have been used as leverage or the power that agents have.Obviously, he's at Madrid now.He's at the Bernabeu until 2032.I think that Arsenal are still missing that statement signing in terms of the forward line.What can you tell us about where Arsenal might go next now Vinny's off the cards?

Yeah, Vini's extended 2032.I suppose Arsenal fans who got excited will now be feeling like they were a stalking horse in this deal.But Arsenal did make a strong pitch and had a genuine desire to sign Vini Jr.Hindsight, wonderful thing.And it looks like Real Madrid upped their offer and Vini Jr. had leverage.And now Arsenal looking to sign a left -sided attacker.

Really, they want to, according to my information.So Gabriel Jesus could go, and there's interest from both Brazil and Italy.And Arsenal, between now and the end of the window, will look for that kind of starting left winger was originally Morgan Rodgers and then in addition to that a more central attacker and that's where the links with Julian Alvarez come in and the beauty of Alvarez is that he can play in both positions.Now with Alvarez Atleti don't want to sell and yet maybe if the player really agitates they would prefer to sell outside of La Liga than within it to Barcelona and in that respect it could mirror the Harry Kane deal where Daniel Levy had no intent to sell Kane to Man United but it was a better deal and an easier negotiation for Bayern to get over the line.as of now though no movement but andrea bertha knows the player and atletico madrid really well they've discussed illeman and jai that was long before morgan rogers or the failed pursuit of vinnie jr they also at that point liked anthony gordon but of course he went off to barcelona and junior croupier another player on the radar but neither bournemouth selling appetite is there and add to the fact that the player is now injured for three four months as well so that doesn't appear to be moving either so it feels like back to the drawing board now, but I agree with you that.will be looking to make another statement signing after Bruno Guimaraes and it wouldn't at all surprise me if two more attack -minded players come through the door between now and the end of the window.

Wow.Talk Liverpool.Give me some good news.What have we got coming down the pike?We got any signings due?

is that you've got Magnus Ackley who's joining PSG, that's one of two attackers that could unlock the Bradley Barker situation, Ibrahim Mbaye as well also at PSG, Baye Leverkusen are in quite advanced talks there but the player would be open to Liverpool.So one if not two attackers are still expected to join Liverpool between now and the end of the window and people say why haven't Liverpool bid for Barker, why is there no progress?The reality is you've got to read the market and timing is everything and Liverpool quite smartly are waiting on Barcelona, and they're saying to PSG, you've got to drop that price of €170 million.And once PSG also settle upon their recruitment in wide areas, with Aklyuch the first one through the door, suddenly Barcelona might become a cheaper or an easier deal to negotiate.So Liverpool, I think, are being patient there as a tactic rather than just doing nothing.And then they're still going to be looking at whether they can strengthen in midfield.

And they'll still give due diligence and assessment to whether another the defender is needed, whether a centre -back after Ibrahima Kanate, or whether a right -back, despite the fact that Frimpong and Bradley are still there, but because they were in and out of the side and had injuries, is there room to maybe add a versatile full -back that could also potentially play centre -back as well?So Liverpool are going to be busy between now and the end of the window.

Ben Jacobs, brilliant stuff as ever.Thanks for joining us.That is talkSPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs.Up next, we're going to be asking Darragh, how do you run a football club?Owners like Darragh, like Simon Jordan, they don't like it when there's all this criticism.So we want to get into the nitty -gritty.

How do you get it done and how do you do it successfully as well?Keep getting your calls.your WhatsApp voice notes, and your texting 03717223344.If you've got a question for the man to my left, get in touch.We'll finish the show with AskDarren.You're listening to Max Scott and Darren McAntony.

In for Jim White and Simon Jordan on TalkSport.