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: 21st August

Arséne Wenger

Firstly, Arsenal manager Arséne Wenger has underlined his stance on transfers this summer and has told reporters that he is looking to add more players to his current squad.

Robin van Persie, Alex Song, Carlos Vela and Kyle Bartley have all left Arsenal this summer and Wenger is looking to use the funds from these transfers to strengthen his sides midfield and defense.

He said: “We are looking to bring one more midfielder in of course, and maybe one defender as well because we still feel we are short in some positions,”

This comes as welcome news for Gooners who have been crying out for a replacement for Song, after he recently left for Barcelona, and more reinforcements for a sometimes shaky defense.

Nuri Sahin

It finally looks as if there is an end in sight for one of the longest Arsenal transfer sagas of the summer over the proposed loan move of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.

Spanish newspaper AS have today reported that Sahin’s agent Reza Fazeli spent yesterday at offices in Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium trying to secure a loan move away from the Spanish giants.

Arséne Wenger personally called Sahin over the weekend and convinced the Turkish international that a move to Arsenal was the best choice he could make for next season.

Arsenal are expected to pay 2.8 million Euros for the loan move but it is still unclear if the North London side managed to get a option to purchase the player at the end of the season.

Cheikh M’Bengue

Arséne Wenger is continuing his pursuit of full-back options and according to Toulouse left-back Cheikh M’Bengue he has attracted interest from Arsenal.

M’Bengue told L’Equipe: “Arsenal’s interest? To be honest I didn’t expect it. When such a big club is thinking about you, it is great pleasure, but you are above all surprised,”

“It is really flattering. Moreover, the Premier League is the league where I would like to play.”

The 24-year-old is naturally a left-back and with Andre Santos and Kieran Gibbs already filling the left-back spots on the team it does not make sense to add yet another.

Another problem may be the fact that Toulouse chairman Olivier Sadran looks to be unwilling to sell, after he said: “To me everything is very clear. The championship has started, no one else will leave now.”

Lucas Biglia

Anderlecht’s defensive midfield ace Lucas Biglia has been offered to several European clubs after the player revealed he is desperate to leave the Belgian champions.

Metro reports that Biglia has attracted the attention of Real Madrid, Inter Milan and big spending PSG this year, but Arsenal have been keen on the player for a while now and have tracked him for several years.

At £6.3million the midfield general would be an absolute steal for a player of his quality as the £12million asking price Anderlecht slapped on the player looks to have been scrapped.

Following the departure of Alex Song to Barcelona Arsenal are in the market for true defensive midfielder, but with Nuri Sahin looking to join the squad soon Arsenal may be content with the squad they already have.

Yann M’Vila and Etienne Capoue have both also been linked with the vacant defensive midfield position at Arsenal in recent weeks too.

Transfer Roundup: 13th August

Cristian Tello

Barcelona are moving increasingly closer to signing Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, but the North London side have told the Catalan giants that they want Spain starlet Cristian Tello to be part of any deal between the two clubs.

Speculation had mounted surrounding the deal with several reports suggesting that Arséne Wenger would prefer versatile winger Ibrahim Afellay as part of any deal, but it now appears that he prefers 21-year-old Tello.

Wenger is reluctant to sell one of his most creative players but it is expected that if Barcelona make a good enough offer for Song, with Tello involved in that deal, that Arsenal will sell.

Tello was thought to be one of Barcelona’s brightest stars having made a name for himself in the second half of last season, however, new Barca manager Tito Vilanova does not see the young star in his plans and did not include him in his first team for the coming season.

Ryo Miyaichi

One of Arsenal’s brightest young talents Ryo Miyaichi is closing in on a Premier League loan move to Wigan where he will replace Victor Moses who looks set for Chelsea.

Arséne Wenger does not see Miyaichi getting enough first team football at Arsenal next season to develop his promising skills further and both manager and player are thought to be very keen on the loan move.

Wenger has been impressed with the Japanese starlet’s development over his two last loan spells at Bolton and Dutch side Feyenoord and feels that one more year of regular first team football will prepare the 19-year-old for regular first team football at Arsenal.

Philippe Mexes

TalkSport are reporting one of the surprise transfer rumours of the offseason and suggest Arsenal could swap misfit striker Nicklas Bendtner with AC Milan for defender Philippe Mexes.

The French international’s future at the Italian club is uncertain right now as he trains on his own to be with his pregnant wife before the start of the season.

Arséne Wenger is thought to be happy offloading Bendtner any way he can and with no solid offers for the Dane and the possibility that Mexes could provide cover for an often fragile defense he is thought to be keen on a deal.

Nuri Sahin

According to Spanish newspaper AS the Nuri Sahin transfer saga is set to close this week with the paper reporting that his future is in the Premier League.

The Turkish international has expressed his desire to leave Real Madrid this season and Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has told the player that he can leave for a club where he will have first team football.

Mourinho has no use for the player next season in an already competitive midfield and has been playing Sahin in a left-back position for much of Madrid’s US Tour, a position the player is unfamiliar with.

Unfortunately for Arsenal the deal for Sahin has been stalled by the transfer of bitter rival Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Modric who is expected to move to Madrid later this week, paving the way for Sahin to move to the Gunners.

AS conclude their article with “all indications are that it will be Arsenal”, suggesting where Sahin will be playing football next season.

If true, this is great newsbparticularly if Alex Song leaves as Sahin can slot straight into his role as a creative, yet defensive midfielder.

Transfer Roundup: 10th August

Nicolas M’Koulou

Arsenal are reportedly looking at Marseille centre-back Nicolas N’Koulou to add depth to a fragile defense which often relied on reserves last season.

Currently at French side Marseille the 22-year-old made forty appearances for the Ligue 1 club last year, including ten Champions League appearances.

N’Koulou is a current member of the Cameroon international squad and has made appearances for the team at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Arséne Wenger would likely see N’Koulou as a utility player who could step in if Bacary Sagna or a centre-back is forced to miss a game,  certainly something that Arsenal are missing right now but N’Koulou may be reluctant to give up regular first team football.

Alex Song

According to Catalan newspaper Sport Alex Song has agreed personal terms with Spanish giants Barcelona, paving the way for the side to make a bid for the Arsenal player.

Song is seen by new manager Tito Vilanova as a perfect replacement for Seydou Keita who has left the club and the new ‘Plan-B’ to Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez.

Arsenal are yet to receive a bid for the player, but Barcelona are said to be very keen on the player with Wenger expected to sell the player if an offer of £15m or more is received.

Interestingly, 20-year-old Barcelona starlet Cristian Tello could be part of a deal for Song with the young winger being snubbed from Vilanova’s first-team squad for the coming season.

Tello made 15 league appearances last season scoring three times and made 3 Champions League appearances (all off the bench) scoring twice, leading to rave reviews of the player.

M’Baye Niang

Arsenal trialist and Caen prospect M’Baye Niang looks almost certain to move to AC Milan this summer, despite Arsenal being the only team to make a bid for the player and to take the player on trial.

AC Milan have propelled themselves into pole position for the 17-year-old by offering Caen £400,000 for a season-long loan, with an option to buy the player for £6million next summer while also giving the French side first choice of AC Milan’s youth players to bring in on loan.

Arsenal had a £5million bid rejected for the player and were told that only an offer of £7million would be enough to prize the player away from the French club, with Arséne Wenger unwilling to spend that amount on the youngster.

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.

Transfer Roundup: August 7th

Santi Cazorla

Arsenal have finally confirmed the signing of Santi Cazorla from Spanish side Malaga after weeks of speculation surrounding the potential transfer.

The Gunners have announced the player’s arrival on their official website and confirmed that the player has joined on a long term contract for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £12.6m.

Arséne Wenger told Arsenal.com: “Santi Cazorla is a great signing for us. He is a player with good experience at both club and international level, who will add significant quality to our squad.

“He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally. He has good pace, is technically gifted and will be a huge asset to Arsenal Football Club. We are delighted that he is joining us.”

From comments Santi Cazorla  has made he seems delighted to be joining the North London side, as he said: “I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a club with great players, a fantastic stadium and huge support.

“The Club has one of the best managers in football and their style of play is recognised and admired all over the world.

“I’m so excited to be joining one of the greatest teams in Europe and also in the Premier League. I will do my best to help Arsenal challenge for trophies and make all the supporters happy.”

Cazorla is a massive signing and both his comments and the kind words of Arséne Wenger should be enough to get any Arsenal fan excited for the new season.

Alex Song

Arséne Wenger has been left fuming at the attitude of defensive midfielder Alex Song as he wishes to follow up interest from some of Europe’s top clubs including Barcelona.

The Catalan giants are thought to be preparing a bid for the player who has been flattered by the interest, however his attitude has infuriated Arséne Wenger who expects the player to show respect and loyalty to the club that showed faith in him and gave him his career.

Wenger has worked with Song since his transfer from Bastia as a teenager and is disappointed that the Cameroonian is willing to leave the club at the first sign of interest from elsewhere.

Reports are suggesting that Wenger is so annoyed with Song that he is prepared to sell the player if a good enough offer is made for the midfielder as Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin is expected to join on loan in the next few days to add depth to the midfield and cover if Song leaves.

Although Sahin can play as a defensive midfielder he is known for his creativity and playmaking abilities which may force Wenger into finally making a move for Rennes ace Yann M’Vila, a truly defensively minded midfielder.

Andrei Arshavin

Arsenal outcast Andrei Arshavin has attracted interest from several clubs following a successful Euro 2012 showing and half season loan spell at former club Zenit St. Petersburg.

Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray are the latest club to show interest in the little Russian and rumours are circulating that Arsenal have received a £4m bid for the player from the Turkish side.

A stumbling block for the transfer may be the fact that Arshavin is thought to be unwilling to relocate his family away from London where his children are at school, although his adviser has said: “We have no problem going to Turkey.”

Despite mixed signals coming from the player the Russian captain is also attracting interest from Middle Eastern sides as well as London based QPR.

Transfer Roundup: 4th August

Robin van Persie

According to The Star Arsenal’s captain and star striker Robin van Persie has been impressed by the clubs efforts to strengthen this summer.

Arsenal have brought in Germany international Lukas Podolski, Ligue 1 top scorer Olivier Giroud and European Champion Santi Cazorla this summer, strengthening more than any other Premier League side.

The Gunners are now becoming optimistic that van Persie can now be persuaded to stay at the club and sign a new contract following their ambitious off season acquisitions with the team now feeling that they are true title contenders.

Nuri Sahin

Arsenal have been given a huge boost with regard to the loan move for Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin as Jose Mourinho has told the London club he will not stand in their way.

Arsene Wenger is chasing a loan deal which also has an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the year, and although Mourinho was at first against this option, it seems as if he is coming round to the idea.

Mourinho told The Guardian: “The point is that he [Sahin] is a young boy, he wants to play every match,”
“And in Real Madrid with Xabi Alonso, with [Sami] Khedira, with Lassana [Diarra], [Esteban] Granero, [Mesut] Ozil … the situation is not easy. Real Madrid is very difficult. We have great players and, when you don’t start well, it is difficult to do it.

“If he stays, he’s not a problem for me, he’s one more solution. We leave [the situation] in his hands. Decide what you want to decide, to be happy. If you decide to leave, we are going to help you to leave. If you decide to stay, we are going to support you and try to succeed this season.”

Arsenal are very confident that Sahin will be their second signing of next week with Santi Cazorla thought to be officially announced before their German training camp.

Benik Afobe

19-year-old striker Benik Afobe is set to join Championship side Bolton on loan next season following a successful loan spell at Reading in the second half of last season, where he made three appearances.

Afobe impressed in Arsenal’s Asian Tour, as well as playing a starring role in the Under-19 European Championships with the young Englishman scoring twice.

Bolton have a good relationship with Arsenal and current first-team star Jack Wilshere and also Japanese starlet Ryo Miyaichi have all enjoyed regular first team football under Owen Coyle’s guidance.

Ryo Miyaichi

One of Arsenal’s most exciting and talented young stars, Ryo Miyaichi, could be set for a loan move to Premier League side Wigan next season.

Victor Moses is expected to leave the Latics for Chelsea this summer and Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has singled out Miyaichi as the perfect replacement for the Nigerian.

According to The Mirror Arsene Wenger has made it clear that Miyaichi will definitely be sent out on loan and he would prefer the player to move to a Premier League side, paving the way for a move to Wigan.

Wigan are working to sort out a work permit for the Japanese star as well as agreeing terms with the player, although a deal is expected to be completed soon.

Spotlight: Wenger hints at imminent departures and fitness concerns

Unwanted Gunners will be allowed to leave

Today the Daily Mail reported that Arsene Wenger expects Arsenal misfits Nicklas Bendtner, Sebastian Squillaci and Chu Young Park to leave the club this week, freeing up a sizable amount of wages.

“Bendtner, Squillaci and Park will be on their way to go somewhere” Wenger told reporters on Sunday, meaning that the wages as well as transfer funds will be added to spend on Santi Cazorla and Nuri Sahin.

Reports are suggesting that Cazorla and his agent will tell his current club Malaga today that he wishes to join Arsenal, with a deal set to be completed on Tuesday when Cazorla is expected to have a medical.

Meanwhile various news outlets expect the loan deal of Nuri Sahin to be completed by the end of the week, with a deal being knocked out by both Real Madrid and Arsenal on Sunday.

Fitness fears may blight new Gunners

Wenger dropped the bombshell today that he fears many of Arsenal’s first team players are unlikely to be ready for full games when the Premier League season starts, with new signings Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski especially lacking in match fitness.

Over a dozen players remained in London as Arsenal went on their Asian Tour, meaning that Wenger has not had a chance to work properly with all of his first team players which is shedding serious concerns over the sides Premier League campaign preparations.

A friendly had been planned for this weekend in Nigeria, however this was cancelled due to concerns about the facilities not being ready for a game, leaving many players with just one full length game in a friendly against Koln before the start of the season.

Wenger said: “The players who were out here will have had enough games but some players will have only one game.

“I decided to have one game behind closed doors to try and get a good opponent but at the moment it will be behind closed doors against ourselves.

“I have organised a training camp in Germany ahead of the Cologne game. It is a little bit unusual for us.”