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.
Transfer Roundup: June 9th
Gonzalo Higuain, Ilkay Gundogan and Lars Bender
The Daily Mirror reported yesterday that Arsenal were planning three bids that would smash the clubs current transfer record.
Gonzalo Higuain, who has been subject to intense rumours surrounding Arsenal in the past few weeks, is one of the players mentioned by the newspaper and would be the player Arsene Wenger hopes to lead his team attack next season.
Higuain scored 16 goals last season, the second most of any Real Madrid players behind Ronaldo, and has undeniable scoring talent which Arsenal fans are craving for, following a mixed response to Olivier Giroud.
Another to be linked by the paper was Ilkay Gundogan, the scorer of Borussia Dortmund’s penalty equaliser in this year’s Champions League final and a key piece in Dortmund’s midfield.
The Germany international would cost around the £20 million mark, but following the departure of Dortmund’s Gotze the Bundesliga runners-up would be very reluctant to sell one of their stars.
If a bid for Gundogan fails, another defensive midfielder is on the North London clubs radar, for £20 million rated Lars Bender of Bayer Leverkusen.
Bender, praised for his hard tackling and concentration in matches, has been linked with Arsenal for a while now and it is thought that Wenger is very keen on bringing in the player to strengthen his midfield and defence.
Would these three signings be considered a successful summer? Add a tough centre back to the aforementioned trio and Arsenal would surely have the tool to challenge for a title.
Gervinho
Arsenal’s highly erratic Ivory Coast winger has struggled to settle at the North London club and is now starting to attract interest from various clubs.
Galatasaray are prepared to lodge a £12 million bid for the player in a hope to link the player up with fellow compatriots Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue.
Signed in 2011 for £10.8 million, Wenger is ready to cash in on what has been a failed endeavour for the ex-Lille player, despite having his best year in an Arsenal shirt with seven goals in total.
It is thought that any funds acquired from the sale of Gervinho would go straight into Arsenal’s transfer kitty to spend on bringing in transfer targets.
The question is, does Arsenal promote another winger from within, such as Gnabry? Or does the club seek out a replacement on the transfer market?
Cesc Fabregas
The Fabregas transfer saga continues to rage on and this time it is Manchester United who have been dealt a crushing blow in their pursuit of the ex-Arsenal favourite.
It has reportedly been said that: “Like Thierry Henry, Fabregas has always said he would never play for any other English club.”
More light is being shed on United’s £40 million bid for the Barcelona player and their bid was only in response to Arsenal’s interest in Wayne Rooney.
Arsenal are clearly in pole position to bring Fabregas back to England considering the players’ personal relationship with Arsenal and also the transfer clauses Arsenal implemented into his contract.
Many Twitter “in the knows” are pointing to a big announcement from Arsenal next week and many are speculating that it may be related to Fabregas, so keep an eye out.
Transfer Roundup: 8th June
Gonzalo Higuain
It is no secret that Arsenal are in need of reinforcements up front and Real Madrid’s wantaway striker Gonzalo Higuain has been identified as a top target by the Gunners.
Florentino Perez, Real Madrid’s president, has vocally stated that Higuain is no longer needed at the Bernabéu and will be sold this summer.
The Argentinian has attracted interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs including Italian Champions Juventus and previously Manchester City, but it now looks like Arsenal are in pole position to land their man.
Arsene Wenger met with Higuain and his father, who is also the players agent, in Paris and held productive talks with the duo about a move to North London.
Arsenal were boosted by the news that Wenger will have £70 million to spend on transfers this summer, the biggest transfer kitty in the club’s history.
Higuain could be available for as little as £20 million, leaving a hefty amount left in the warchest for more high-profile additions to the squad.
Matthias Ginter
The Daily Mirror are reporting that Arsenal are interested in signing German starlet Matthias Ginter of Freiburg.
The 19-year-old made 21 appearances in the Bundesliga last season, scoring once in that time.
Although primarily used as a defensive midfielder, the German has also played in a more creative midfield role and interestingly as a striker for his club this season.
The Freiburg star has also attracted attention from Champions League finalists and Bundesliga runners up Borussia Dortmund, making competition for the players signature tough.
Freiburg have already lost several key players already this offseason, and would be reluctant to sell. But Arsenal, with plenty of cash available and a core of German players (Podolski, Mertesacker, Gnabry, Eisfeld) already at the Emirates, could be boosted in any move they make for the youngster.
Be sure to catch Ginter in action for Germany at this month’s U-21 European Championships.
Marouane Fellaini
Arsenal’s hopes of landing Everton and Belgium star Marouane Fellaini took a blow last night as Everton chairman Bill Kenwright admitted he is ready to give up his star to Manchester United.
David Moyes has been quiet since taking over Manchester United and it is beng widely reported that is number one transfer target this summer is his ex-player Fellaini.
Kenwright explained that Moyes knowledge of Fellaini’s contract and release clause gives the new United manager a huge boost in his pursuit for the midfielder.
It was recently reported that Arsenal had activated the lofty Belgian’s £22 million release clause, however insiders quickly defused those rumours, but clarified that the interest was definitely there.
Keep an eye on this story as it is highly likely that the transfer will develop in the coming weeks.
Simon Mignolet
Arsenal have identified Simon Mignolet as a transfer target as they look to provide competition for the erratic Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks.
The Belgian international was a key reason that Sunderland avoided relegation from the Premier League last season and has drawn attention from top clubs across Europe.
His agent spoke out this week, telling the Sunderland Echo: “I think it is very unlikely that he will sign a new contract.
“Simon has obviously come to a point where he wants to step up a level and there is a lot of interest in him.”
Mignolet faces tough competition from Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois, who has enjoyed two successful seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, to be Belgian’s first choice goalkeeper for the 2014 World Cup and wants to prove himself at a higher level.
Mignolet still has two years left on his contract, but if the right deal came along for the keeper, Sunderland would likely be willing to sell.
Transfer Roundup: August 28th
M’Baye Niang
First off there is some frustrating news for Arsenal fans today as Caen striker M’Baye Niang has signed for AC Milan on a three-year deal after beating off late interest from Everton.
The 17-year-old met with representatives from the Italian side last night and had dinner in Milan with club vice-president Adriano Galliani. He is expected to have a medical today.
Niang had a trial with Arsenal this summer and spent time training with the first team, however, rumours on social networking site Twitter are circulating that Niang did not impress Arséne Wenger in his time at the club, hence Arsenal’s reluctance to make more than one bid for the youngster.
Angel Rangel
The Mirror are reporting that Swansea City right-back Angel Rangel could be a surprise transfer target for Arsenal before the window closes.
The defender does not add the versatility that Arséne Wenger seeks in his back four, with the Spaniard only playing at right-back, but his season of Premier League experience would be vital when filling in for the injured Bacary Sagna.
Unconfirmed rumours on social networking sites suggested last month that Arsenal were looking to purchase the 29-year-old and also send young players on loan to Swansea, although this still remains a rumour at this point.
Ibrahim Afellay
According to talkSPORT Arsenal still remain interested in Barcelona’s misfit utility man Ibrahim Afellay and could make a move to take the player on loan in the coming days.
Afellay has fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp and is not part of new manager Tito Vilanova’s plans following multiple injuries and the emergence of young stars like Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello.
Arsenal are in need of a winger following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to a central midfield role and with Andrei Arshavin likely on his way out of the club, it is thought that the 26-year-old could fill this hole.
Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in the player and could also make a move for the Dutchman.
Nicklas Bendtner
Juventus are prepared to launch a £5million bid for Arsenal’s misfit striker Nicklas Bendtner according to The Daily Mail, a move that would benefit the North London side greatly.
The Italian champions have been unsuccessful in the pursuit of Robin van Persie, Fernando Llorente and Edin Dzeko and are now turning their attention to the Denmark international.
Offloading Bedntner would free up wages as well as providing Arsenal with extra funds to chase transfer targets in the final days of the transfer window.
Isco
The Daily Star is reporting that Arsenal are hoping to raid Spanish side Malaga once again while also stealing the march on rivals Spurs for midfield starlet Isco.
Arsenal have already been involved with the Spanish club once this summer as the Gunners captured midfield maestro Santi Cazorla but are reportedly looking to bring in 20-year-old Isco also.
Malaga have endured a torrid time this summer and with financial difficulties still plaguing the side it is expected that they would be willing to sell the Spanish U21 ace for the right price.
Isco has a release clause of £16.5million but it is thought that offers of around the £10million mark would be enough to secure a deal for the player.
Transfer Roundup: August 27th
We are less than a week away from deadline day, the transfer window is quickly approaching it’s conclusion until briefly reopening in January and there is still much work to be done by Arséne Wenger to strengthen an already promising looking squad.
A “super quality” defensive midfielder is a priority, defensive cover is a must and a speedy forward would be welcomed as backup for Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.
Then there are the misfits that must be shipped out, at least on loan, to free up wages for the new signings. It is such an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan and the players we have been linked with over the weekend give Gooners even more reason to be optimistic this week.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
Firstly Metro are reporting that cash from the sales of Robin van Persie and Alex Song have been made available to strengthen the squad this week, with Montpellier captain Yanga-Mbiwa topping the list of reinforcements.
Yanga-Mbiwa led Montpellier to the Ligue 1 title last season and having played at every position across the back line in that campaign the France international may be the versatile defender Arsenal desperately need.
Despite strong interest from AC Milan the player has publicy announced that he is an admirer of Arsenal and said: “You can’t say no to AC Milan or Arsenal. I don’t know if a deal can be sorted.”
Montpellier will be keen to keep hold of their talented captain, but if the right offer is made then it is expected they will part ways with the 23-year-old.
Chieck Tiote
£20m has been set aside by Arsenal to capture a midfield enforcer who can dictate games through their presence in midfield, Newcastle’s Chieck Tiote is widely being reported as Arsenal’s number one target for this role.
Tiote is vastly more expensive than Wenger’s other targets Yann M’Vila and Etienne Capoue with a price tag of around £20million, however the Ivory Coast international has one key ingrediant that those two do not, Premier League experience.
Wenger is willing to splash the cash to get the right player and will not settle for an unproven or average player, but yesterday quashed the rumours surrounding the Newcastle player in a post match press conference.
“Tiote is a good player but he is not on his way to Arsenal” the Frenchman said, it must be remembered that Wenger claimed he did not know who Santi Cazorla was a week before signing the Spaniard, so a deal may still happen.
Meanwhile Yann M’Vila is closing in on a move to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur following increasing interest from André Villas Boas’ side.
Yohan Cabaye
Finally, Arsenal are eyeing a move for another one of Alan Pardew’s men, this time French midfielder Yohan Cabaye.
Metro are suggesting that Arsenal are ready to put forward a £15million bid for the player despite already having Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the midfield with Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere expected to return before the end of the year.
At the time of writing Newcastle have not received a bid for Cabaye, but Alan Pardew has underlined the importance of keeping his top players and said: “All my bigger players are important and would be hard to replace now.”
The Magpies would be reluctant to sell and with an already stacked Arsenal midfield this transfer looks unlikely, but you can never tell with “Le Professeur”.
Transfer Roundup: 22nd August
Jesus Navas
Spanish newspaper AS are today reporting that Sevilla winger and Spanish European Champion Jesus Navas could be a surprise transfer target for the Gunners.
According to the article (which can be found here) the Sevilla ace has been monitored by Arséne Wenger for a while now and the long time Arsenal manager is now contemplating a 15million Euro bid for the player.
Arsenal are currently running low on players who can play on the wings with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain switching to an attacking midfield role, new signing Lukas Podolski likely to be utilized as a striker and out of favour Andrei Arshavin poised to move before the transfer window closes.
Navas is a Sevilla legend and has a reputation for being homesick, however, it is thought that after his inclusion on the national team’s European Championship campaign that he is over these issues.
Cheick Tiote
Metro are reporting that Arsenal may have found the man to replace Alex Song in the form of Newcastle’s midfield general Cheick Tiote.
The Ivory Coast international has attracted attention from a number of big clubs this summer including Chelsea and Manchester United, but Arsenal are prepared to ramp up their interest to get their man.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has expressed his desire to keep hold of his star players this summer as his team makes a push for Champions League football.
Pardew said: “We are on our guard in case some really big bid comes in and we need to react because if someone goes out, another player will come in, but success for me in this transfer window would be losing none of our stars.”
Conor Henderson
Following a season plagued by a knee injury Arsenal’s 20-year-old star Conor Henderson is hoping he can secure a loan move and regular first team football before the transfer window closes.
Henderson was out of action for eight months last season after the Republic of Ireland Under-21 suffered a cruciate ligament injury and a further cartilage injury before he was fully recovered.
He told Arsenal’s official website: “It was frustrating last year because obviously I got injured in pre-season with the first team, and that took eight months to come back from,”
“Then I returned and played a few times for the reserves, before tweaking my cartilage in training and that ruled me out for the rest of the season.
“I only started playing again this pre-season. I had a few Arsenal XI games, and now I feel like I am getting back to full fitness.
“I think the plan for me now is to go out on loan, get some first-team experience and see where I go from there.
“A few clubs are asking about me but I think they want to see I am match fit before they take me, so hopefully I can have a few more games for the Under 21s and do that.”
Transfer Roundup: 8th August
Cheikhou Kouyaté
The latest midfielder to attract the attention of Arsenal is Anderlecht’s versatile holding midfielder and defender Cheikhou Kouyaté who starred in Senegal’s Olympic tournament squad this summer.
The 21-year-old was born in Dakar, also the birthplace of Patrick Vieira, has spent five years in the Belgian leagues spending time at second division Brussels and first division teams K.V. Kortrijk and Anderlecht.
Kouyaté can play as both a central defender and a defensive midfielder, a combination which Arséne Wenger is thought to find very attractive considering his problems with injured defenders in past seasons.
The Senegalese player is also attracting interest from Manchester City and Newcastle United and with Anderlecht looking to cash in on some of their top talent this summer it looks likely that the player could move.
Ki Sung-Yueng
Another midfielder who is thought to have caught the eye of Arsenal is Celtic’s influential South Korean Ki Sung-Yueng, nicknamed “Korean Steven Gerrard” in his home nation.
Ki has been at Celtic since 2009 and in that time has asserted himself as one of the key parts of the team, showing good passing technique, shooting ability and also being deadly from set-pieces.
The player is rumoured to have impressed Arsenal scouts in his recent Olympic tournament performances although it is unsure where Ki would fit into Arsenal’s already congested midfield with players being brought in and also set to return from injury before December.
If Arsenal are serious about the South Korean they will have to act fast as Queens Park Rangers boss Mark Hughes is an admirer of Ki and is thought to be preparing a bid to bring the player to QPR.