Arsenal Arsenal Transfer Rumors

[irsaffy]

Wenger's £20m transfer gamble: Arsenal boss targets striker and defender

By Rob Draper, Mail on Sunday Chief Football Writer
Last updated at 10:43 PM on 26th December 2009

Arsenal are considering a £20million gamble by signing a striker and a defender in the January transfer window to boost their growing title challenge.

Arsene Wenger is understood to have a fund of £30m following the sales of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City in the summer and, though the Arsenal manager will not be rushed into panic buys, injuries to Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner have forced him to play Russian Andrei Arshavin as a central striker lately.

With Chelsea drawing again at Birmingham yesterday, Arsenal can move within four points of the league leaders with a game in hand if they can beat Aston Villa at the Emirates today.

And next month, Wenger may have to overcome his reluctance to splash out the £4m Bordeaux want for striker Marouane Chamakh, but he will certainly not pay the £35m Wolfsburg want for Edin Dzeko.

 

[irsaffy]

WENGER TO LAUNCH £12M STRIKER BID
Gignac can double his wages at Arsenal

By Hugh Southon, 26/12/2009

GIGNAC: Arsenal fancy £12m striker

ARSENE WENGER is poised to launch a £12million January bid for French international striker Andre Pierre Gignac.

Arsenal's front line has been hit by an ankle ligaments injury to Robin van Persie, which will see him miss the rest of the season, while Nicklas Bendtner is sidelined with a knee problem.

Gunners boss Wenger has admired the 6ft 2in Toulouse forward for months and believes that with the French club struggling in their league, he can snatch his man despite him being contracted until 2013.

Gignac is unhappy after managing just five goals this season after grabbing 24 in 37 games last term. He is keen to get away from Toulouse - especially as Wenger would double his wages to £40,000 a week at the Emirates.

The striker has netted four times in 10 outings for his country.

A source close to the negotiations said: "He's been happy at Toulouse but knows this is the time to leave and the prospect of Champions League football is too good to resist."

Arsenal will be seeking to build on their four-match unbeaten league run at home today to Aston Villa today, who have not lost in seven games.

But the injury worries are mounting, with influential captain Cesc Fabregas a doubt due to a hamstring problem. The Spain international has been missing since the December 16 draw at Burnley and withdrew from training on Thursday due to the problem.

"There is still an uncertainty about him," said Wenger. "He was supposed to practice on Christmas Eve but he still had some pain in his leg.

"We still don't know if he will be available for the squad. It is 50-50."

Tomas Rosicky remains out, along with full-back Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee).

However, there is good news for Wenger with Armand Traore ready to return after his hamstring problem.

Wenger added: "Compared to the Hull game, we have Traore available again. But he is the only one back."

 

[irsaffy]

Arsenal Still In For Bordeaux Striker Marouane Chamakh - Report
Arsenal are reportedly back in the hunt for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.

Dec 26, 2009 8:47:55 PM

With a host of Premier League clubs reportedly after the Moroccan, including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, The Sun understands Arsenal are going all-out for the striker.

With Robin van Persie out with a long-term injury, Arsene Wenger is in need of some offensive reinforcment and it is thought Chamakh is his first choice.

After nearly signing the player last summer, Wenger plans to return to negotiate with Bordeaux in the January transfer window.

According to the tabloid, a source close to the deal said: "Wenger has made it clear to Marouane and his agent he still very much wants to sign him.

"But Marouane doesn't want to go to war with Bordeaux again like he did in the summer when Arsenal didn't match their valuation. So the player prefers to sign a pre-contract and go in the summer."

Wenger is also believed to be lining up Rennes striker Jeremy Briand, who is also wanted by Marseille.

Goal.com UK

 

[irsaffy]

Real Madrid set to beat Arsenal and Manchester United in race to sign Lille star Eden Hazard

By Rob Draper, Mail on Sunday Chief Football Writer
Last updated at 9:34 PM on 26th December 2009

Arsenal and Manchester United look like being gazumped by Real Madrid in the race to sign Eden Hazard, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder at Lille.

The Spanish club have intensified their efforts to sign a player who is being tracked regularly by scouts from United and Arsenal.

Hazard was voted 'Best Young Hope' in the French league last season after completing 34 games for Lille and scoring four goals while still just 17, also making his full debut for Belgium.

 

[irsaffy]

HOLLAND STAR OPEN TO ARSENAL MOVE
Dutch defender dreams of Gunners future

By Adam Marshall, 14/12/2009

GREGORY VAN DER WIEL hopes Robin van Persie has put in a good word for him with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.


The Ajax right-back has been watched by the Gunners and Manchester City recently but has hinted that he would love to play at Emirates Stadium in the future.

After graduating from the Under-21 side to the full Holland line-up, he is expected to make an impact at the World Cup finals so his valuation looks certain to increase.

Van der Wiel has spoken to Dutch colleague van Persie and told the media in his homeland that he would be open to playing under Wenger once he feels ready to make the move to England.

"To develop, I need to play well at the World Cup," he said. "That is the only thing that counts now.

"What happens next, we'll see. Of course, I would want to make the step up to play at a beautiful foreign club.

"But, for now, I am settled at Ajax.

"Of course it's nice to read that Arsenal are interested.

"I feel I'm also able to adapt to the English league.

"Robin van Persie has told many good stories about the Premier League, Arsenal and Mr Wenger.

"Maybe he's put in a good word for me!"

 

[irsaffy]

Arsenal have £35m to spend on transfers and wages in January
December 27, 2009

A report in the Sunday Times this morning claims Arsenal have £35 million to spend on transfers and wages in the January transfer window.

Arsene Wenger has a £35 million kitty due to clauses in Arsenal’s bank loan agreements that leave aside a fixed amount of income for the Gunners boss to spend on new players.

The Gunners have a legally binding agreement to give manager Arsene Wenger 70% of all net proceeds from player sales to reinvest.

If the Arsenal boss does not spend all his cash in one transfer window, the money must be put into a Transfer Proceeds Account (TPA) used exclusively for transfer fees or wages.

A “source” told the Sunday Times that "This agreement is there to ensure investment in the team. Under no circumstances can any owner or board members strip assets by selling players and keeping that income."

Arsenal are expected to sign a striker in the upcoming January transfer window, Marouane Chamakh (Bordeaux), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse) and Carlton Cole (West Ham) are thought to be the favourites to join the Gunners.

The Sunday Mirror claims this morning that Arsenal are interested in Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy .

 

[irsaffy]

Arsenal to launch bid for Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac
December 27, 2009

Armed with a reported 35 million pound transfer kitty, Arsene Wenger is set to launch a bid to bring Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac to Arsenal, according to the News of the World.

Arsenal have been linked with a host of strikers in recent weeks following the long-term injury picked up by Robin van Persie. The Gunners striking problems have been worsened by Nicklas Bendtner’s groin problem.

Arsene Wenger admires Gignac, who exploded on to the scene last season for Toulouse, scoring 24 goals in 38 matches after replacing Johan Elmader in the Ligue 1 side.

This season Gignac has scored eight goals in 23 appearances for Toulouse who are struggling in Ligue 1 in 14th position. As a result, Gignac is open to offers in January transfer window especially as he could double his wages at Arsenal.

"A source" close to the negotiations said: "He's been happy at Toulouse but knows this is the time to leave and the prospect of Champions League football is too good to resist."

Gignac would provide Arsenal with a physical threat up front, he is 6.1ft and strong in the air. The Toulouse hitman is also a goal scorer and has notched four goals in 10 appearances for the French national team.

 

[Niyang]

Ambik CHAMAKH la Asan oi.... Dok pusing2 pale lagik... ****** punya Asan... aarrggghhhh

 

[ulam]

tgk pada hint2 yg asan bg..dia mcm nk beli chamakh jer..

KLau jadi kita kumpul kawan2 wat knduri tau..))

 

[irsaffy]

Arsenal and Tottenham battle it out for young Newcastle keeper
December 27, 2009

North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal will go head to head in a fight to sign 21 year-old goalkeeper Fraser Forster from Newcastle United, according to the News of the World.

Forster has yet to make his debut at St James' Park and is currently on loan at League One side Norwich City. Nonetheless, both Arsenal and Tottenham have sent scouts to watch Forster who is widely considered to be one of the country's best young keepers.

Arsenal have reportedly been in the market for a back up for Manuel Almunia and similarly Tottenham are looking for a number two behind Heurelho Gomes following the serious injury to Carlo Cudicini .

Although both clubs have been linked to Watford's England under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach , it would seem that they have now both set their sights on 6ft 6in Forster.