Transfer Roundup: June 10th

Stevan Jovetic

One of Arsenal’s main transfer targets Stevan Jovetic has expressed his desire to join Italian champions Juventus, dealing the North London club a blow in their hunt for a striker.

Arsenal were prepared to start the bidding for the Fiorentina player at £25million, but Jovetic has publicly stated that he wants to stay in Italy and play for Juventus.

“Juve have been after me for a year, and they say they want me and that I’m a top target. Who wouldn’t be flattered by that? I want to move there so I can grow” the player said.

Although this does look like a big blow to Arsenal’s transfer hopes, Juventus also have interest in another of the Gunner’ transfer targets, Gonzalo Higuain.

Juve officials apparently met with Real Madrid yesterday to discuss a move for the Argentinian, but with Jovetic going on record saying he wants a move to Juventus the Italian champions may favour a move for a younger player who knows the league.

If Juventus are successful in their pursuit for Stevan Jovetic, Arsenal will be in pole position to sign the Madrid man.

Nicklas Bendtner

Arsenal flop and self confessed “best striker in the world” Nicklas Bendtner is close to a move away from the Emirates, according to the player himself.

The Danish international, who has one year left on his contract with Arsenal, has told the press that he has been holding talks with ‘five or six’ clubs over a permanent transfer.

Previously unable to secure a permanent deal away from North London, Bendtner spent a season on-loan to Sunderland and last season at Juventus, he was unimpressive at both clubs.

Bendtner said: ‘I am talking with five or six clubs at the moment over a permanent transfer,

‘Things are agreed with Arsenal and I will decide which club I sign for in the next two weeks.’

Unlikely to command a high transfer fee, Bendtner will likely attract an offer around the £3-5million mark, with Arsenal willing to accept any offer.

Theo Walcott

Arsenal’s star forward Theo Walcott is a surprise transfer target for new Napoli manager Rafa Benitez.

Napoli sold winger Ezequiel Lavezzi to Paris Saint-Germain last summer and are unlikely to keep hold of their talismanic striker Edinson Cavani following interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.

The cash gained from selling Cavani will go towards a £23million bid which will attempt to tempt England star Walcott into trading North London for Southern Italy.

Following a widely publicised transfer saga last year, the 24-year-old has recently signed a bumper deal which makes him one of Arsenal’s best paid players and Arsene Wenger is thought to be unlikely to sell a man he spent so long chasing to pen a new contract.

Nicolas Gaitain

Benfica’s playmaker Nicolas Gaitain is the latest player in Europe to be linked with Arsenal this summer, in what is now becoming a seemingly endless list of rumours.

The 25-year-old helped Benfica reach the Europa League final and second in the Portuguese league last season and has previously been linked with Manchester United.

Benfica are very reluctant to sell their star midfielder unless his £40million release clause is triggered, something that Arsenal are very unlikely to do, despite assurances that there is more money available to the club than ever before.