afc Arsenal Summer Transfer Window

[TF S4DK]

whos that dutch yout from feyernood you signed?

Kyle Ebecilio

[TF S4DK]

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Atletico Bilbao’s highly rated young midfielder Javi Martinez. The Spanish international youngster is often compared to Real Madrid man Xabi Alonso and has been linked with a move from his mid table La Liga employers and could well be keen to team up with fellow Spaniard Cesc Fabregas in the Emirates midfield.Whilst Wenger is said to be looking for established names this summer it is worth noting that even though Martinez is just 21 years of age he has already racked up almost 150 top level Spanish appearances and has become one of the hottest prospects in the country.The battling midfielder is able to combine physicality and skill and is currently on World Cup duty and on the fringes of a starting spot in Vicente del Bosque’s starting line up, such is the high regard for the towering well built youngster.The £14m rated Bilbao man was linked with a move to Real Madrid but as yet no move has been made by Jose Mourinho and the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be keeping a close eye on the Basque star.

Ironically a lot of Barcelona fans think they should buy him (to replace Toure) and Gourcuff instead of Fabregas.

[Natty]

f*ck these spanish youts who will eventually leave when barca or real come calling

[Mame Biram Diouf]

Signed him on masterleague last yearSick tekkers with great potential not a 4-4-2 ballerDont think he would work with 2 playmakers infront of him needs an engine next to him like Alosno did with Masch and Carrick with Fletcher/Hargreaves

[TF S4DK]

ARSENE WENGER insists Lorient centre-half Laurent Koscielny is the man to replace William Gallas.The Arsenal boss has already made an £8million bid for the player but the French club are holding out for more.Koscielny, 24, spoke out last week asking for Lorient to let him go - and Wenger insisted the Gunners are still on the case.He said: "There has been an approach for Koscielny and there still is one."Out-of-contract Gallas, 32, has been out of sorts at the World Cup after coach Raymond Domenech handed the captain's armband to Patrice Evra.Wenger added: "I don't know if Gallas has been perturbed by his departure from Arsenal."I knew he wouldn't be at 100 per cent for this tournament. The question for the manager is to know if he should have called up Gallas while knowing he's not 100 per cent."He's played 35 minutes in four months before here."It's not enough to get into a competition like this. When you don't know where you are physically, a player is always fragile."Wiliam is a boy with great will, he's a winner. But he wants to do well so badly that sometimes he puts a lot of pressure on himself."

[Taurus]

That transfers a matter of when not if, I'd say we got himSo what now? I want another defensive signing...Bougherra/Vertonghen?

[TF S4DK]

When Wenger returns (supposedly late this week) from SA its made official, so barring an amazing U-turn by someone its done.

[TF S4DK]

Arsenal are considering Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo as a possible replacement for Cesc Fabregas, according to reports.The 25-year-old, a rising star of Marcello Lippi's team, is ready for a move from cash-strapped Fiorentina and would cost around £19m.Montolivo is known for his passing and tenacious defensive play and could become a priority for Arsene Wenger, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta stressing yesterday his belief that the Gunners would cave in sooner or later and sell Fabregas for around £40m.

[Francis Coquelin]

Francis Coquelin has joined Ligue One side FC Lorient on a season-long-loan. The deal was announced on the French club’s official website this morning, and as revealed by Young Guns earlier this month, the signing is separate to Arsenal’s hunt for Laurent Koscielny.Coquelin has signed on loan for the season, and was presented to a small section of fans this morning. He will go straight into the Lorient first-team for pre-season next month. Coach Christian Gourcuff expressed an interest in Francis earlier in the summer, and was initially included in an €8 million euros offer for Koscielny as a ‘sweetner’. However, this was withdrawn when a €10 million offer was made shortly after.You will be able to follow Coquelin’s progress on Young Guns throughout the season.

http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/06/francis-coquelin-joins-fc-lorient-on-loan/

Arsenal have provisionally struck a deal, subject to personal terms and a medical, with FC Lorient for their young centre back Laurent Koscielny, Young Guns has learnt.The Ligue One outfit announced this morning that Francis Coquelin would be going in the opposite direction, on loan. Although the two deals are not connected, an informal ‘link up’ which could see the two sides exchange youth players, in a similar way to the previous relationship with UD Salamanca, appears to have been the clincher.No fee has been detailed about Koscielny, yet it’s expected he’ll move for a fee above €10 million euros in total, with potential clauses should Laurent fulfil certain criteria.

http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/06/arsenal-agree-koscielny-deal-with-youth-link-up/

[MrJibbles]

The agent of Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo has hinted that news regarding a potential move for his client to Arsenal is merely rumour.Earlier on Monday, reports emerged that the Italian international could be a replacement for Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates, should the Spaniard move to Barcelona."Apart from the fact that if it were true I wouldn't tell you, I laugh when I see certain things [in the newspapers]," Govanni Branchini told firenzeviola.it."This isn't because it's unlikely, given the value of the player, more due to the timing. I don't expect tomorrow there will be news of Manchester United interested in North Korea's goalkeeper. However, it seems strange [for Montolivo] that precisely a few hours after his performance against New Zealand, clubs have already set things in motion."Montolivo has been one of the few impressive performers for the Azzurri at the World Cup in their 1-1 draws with both Paraguay and New Zealand.

[TF S4DK]

Arsenal have made enquiries for Everton's Phil Jagielka and Dynamo Kiev defender Pape Diakhate but have been scared off by sky-high prices even though they may need to sign two centre halves this summer.

[TF S4DK]

Arsenal are tracking Russia left back Renat Yanbaev amid concerns about Gael Clichy's future.Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are all keen on Clichy, though Arsene Wenger is keen to hold on to the 24-year-old.Wenger's scouts in Russia have nonetheless recommended Lokomotiv defender Yanbaev, 26, who can also operate down the right.The 26-year-old does not meet the automatic criteria for a work permit because he is behind Chelsea's Yury Zhirkov in the pecking order for Russia, but he would stand a good case of winning approval from a panel hearing.Lorient expect Laurent Koscielny to join Arsenal in the next week.

Francis Coquelin has completed a one-year loan move from Arsenal to Lorient in a deal that will help smooth Laurent Koscielny's switch in the opposite direction.Lorient confirmed the loan of 19-year-old midfielder Coquelin, while the Ligue 1 club's boss Christian Gourcuff admitted Koscielny was on his way out.Sportsmail first revealed Arsenal's interest in the 24-year-old centre half, though the French are looking for an improvement on the latest £8.2million bid.'Laurent will leave,' said Gourcuff. 'If Arsenal really want him, they will pay the right fee.'Meanwhile, the Gunners are set to miss out on Spain Under 21 defender Cesar Azpilicueta.Manchester City were also interested but Marseille have agreed a £5.8m fee with Osasuna for the right back and expect to confirm his signing on a four-year contract this week.Barcelona and Real Madrid had also tracked the 20-year-old, but the French champions have moved quickly to put a firm offer on the table.

[TF S4DK]

JOE COLE has told pals he wants to join Manchester United.The England ace becomes a free agent next Wednesday when his Chelsea contract expires.The midfielder, 28, had been expected to join Arsenal.But now it seems Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is set to lose out to Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson in the race for Cole's signature.Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and Real Madrid chief Jose Mourinho have both managed Cole in the past and are keen to do so again - but are also set to miss out.Chelsea skipper John Terry admits he is stunned at the move.Terry said: "It still amazes me how the club have come to the conclusion of letting Joe go."Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3023543/Joe-Cole-tells-pals-he-fancies-a-move-to-Manchester-United.html#ixzz0rZUdlqEQ

[Captain Planet]

Ignore that farce, using old quotes...

[TF S4DK]

Kerrea Gilbert’s Arsenal career will officially come to an end next Thursday after the right-back’s contract with the club expires. The club failed to offer Gilbert improved terms and he will be on the lookout for a new club from July 1st.It is a decision that has been expected for quite some time and, to a certain extent, it’s a surprise that he didn’t leave much earlier. After making nine first-team appearances in the final season at Highbury, he endured mixed loan spells at Cardiff City, Southend United, Leicester City and, most recently, Peterborough United,with whom he suffered the ignominy of relegation.In the midst of all that, Gilbert encountered several personal problems which included him being arrested for being drunk and disorderly last year. He made a brief return to Arsenal, playing in the Champions League against Olympiacos last season, but the final nail in his Arsenal coffin came when the club decided to convert Francis Coquelin, a centre-midfielder by trade, to right-back.It’s a shame Gilbert couldn’t quite make it Arsenal but he is at the stage of his career now where he needs to find a level at which he can perform regularly.

[big_barz]

im reading about the azpilicueta to marseille transfer and apparently we also had bid for him last week, 4m but rejected.holds little relevance and makes even less sense but yeah, osasuna saying we & om were the only clubs to come with actual offers.

[TF S4DK]

Think Wenger back on his Eboue is a midfielder sh*t. Centre midfielder even. Strongly been linked with two RBs.That or Sagna going Italy.

[Eskay Jones]

arsenal are linked to everybody this transfer window. what happened to the hugo lloris story is he coming to arsenal or not? im a big fan of him.

[Captain Planet]

Not anymoreCorner no-no

[TF S4DK]

Lloris rumours have always been that. Wenger likes him but...From time you see - 12m bid. For Lyon & French international. To Arsenal.It's not happening.

[Natty]

Lyon don't need to sell and when they do sell they don't let themselves get bumped they sell for big monies

[TF S4DK]

Arsenal are rumoured to be considering a move for German international Sami Khedira this summer. The Stuttgart man was drafted into Joachim Low’s World Cup squad after Michael Ballack and his replacement Christian Träsch pulled out through injury. Wenger is thought to be an admirer of the powerfully built attacking midfielder and could be willing to pursue the one club man when the World Cup comes to an end.Khedira has started both Germany games against Australia and Serbia and has looked more than up for the task and after four years in the Stuttgart first team he may well be looking for a new challenge having seen his side finish last term in a disappointing sixth place finish and outside the Champions League spots.The £14m rated 23 year old is in many ways two midfielders in one having both the ability to spread the play with pintpoint passes as well as knowing how to get stuck in to prevent opposition attacks. Despite his relatively young age he has also a good amount of top level experience and this too could be of interest to the Arsenal boss who is looking to add some balance to his overly youthful squad.

[TF S4DK]

Manchester United have left the path clear for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to attempt to sign Joe Cole after it was confirmed they are not interested in the England international.Cole, released by Chelsea after failing to agree terms over a new contract, has repeatedly been linked with a free signing to United, but well-placed sources at Old Trafford have indicated there has never been any interest in the midfielder.Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has spoken on numerous occasions about his admiration for Cole, but the 28-year-old has had a season disrupted by injury and his wage demands would be prohibitive for United.The feeling at Old Trafford is that a lot of the speculation surrounding United's reported interest has been generated by people close to Cole in the hope of accelerating interest from other clubs.Cole's future now looks like a straight choice between Arsenal and Tottenham, the north London rivals having both initiated talks with the player's representatives.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson are the leaders of the pack in the race to sign Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland who looks set to end his nine year association with the football club. The former Republic of Ireland international has struggled to hold down a first team place since Roberto Mancini took over at the football club and the creative midfielder is set for showdown talks with the club over his future. Manchester United, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Everton have also been named in the race to sign the Irish playmaker.Ireland has become increasingly marginalised in the Manchester City squad with Roberto Mancini preferring the likes of Patrick Vieira, Nigel De Jong, and Gareth Barry to the creative Ireland. The Irishman voiced his frustrations to the club’s football administrator Brian Marwood at the end of last season along with Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright Phillips. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson have been named as the favourites to land Ireland by sports bookmakers, while Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is a known admirer of the player. Spurs, Everton, and Sunderland have also been sighted in the running for the player.Ireland is set for summer showdown talks with Roberto Mancini who voiced his concerns over the player’s state of mind, but the Italian did admit last season the player could have a future at the club if he ‘sorts his head out.’ Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had been consistently linked with Ireland in the past, as has Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, while Villa, Everton, Spurs, and Sunderland are the latest Premier League quartet to be named in the hunt for the player this summer. Steve Bruce, David Moyes and Harry Redknapp have all been linked with a move for the Eastlands star on more than one occasion this summer.Ireland emerged as a home grown fan favourite for the Citizens after being voted the club’s player of the year in the 2008 / 2009 season after a string of impressive performances. As a result he was handed a five year deal in the summer of 2009.

[Natty]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2010/06/23/1990854/barcelona-sign-valencia-winger-juan-mata-report

Barcelona have completed the signing of Valencia winger Juan Mata, according to radio station Onda Cero.Mata, 22, has reportedly penned a five-year contract with Barca after the two clubs concurred on a €20 million fee for his services.He has long been linked with a move to Camp Nou as Barcelona look to strengthen the left side of their attack, with Thierry Henry's future at the club still in doubt.Valencia rejected Barcelona's approaches for Mata last summer, but with their financial problems meeting no improvement, they have been forced to part with another of their stars following the €40m sale of David Villa in May.Mata, who had a contract with Valencia until 2012, will now become Barcelona's ninth player to wear Spain's shirt at the World Cup.He also had the chance to move to Manchester City, but rejected the Premier League side's big-money offer as he planned to stay in his homeland.It is believed the arrival of Mata at Barcelona will pave the way for the exit of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who signed for the club last summer in a €69m move.

Barca plunge into even more debt.......

[TF S4DK]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to acquire Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer after coming back to their Premier League rivals with a £3.5 million offer.The Australia international knows of the Gunners’ interest in him and is keen to leave Fulham this summer, with Cottagers manager Roy Hodgson believing the 37-year-old will depart, according to The Mirror.Wenger believes that Schwarzer is the type of experienced backstop that will help improve his defence, but not impede the progress of young goalkeeping prospects the Gunners have.Last year’s first choice Manuel Almunia could be let go this summer as Arsenal are grooming Polish starlet Wojciech Szczesny to be the future number one.Arsenal scouts attended Fulham matches at the end of the Premier League season and Wenger has personally attended his games in South Africa.Fulham have already rejected a bid of about £3 million from Arsenal, but with the Gunners looking determined to buy Schwarzer, the Cottagers are prepared to lose their veteran goalkeeper.