ARSENAL TRANSFER RUMOURS: Santos and Park Arrive; Alex, Gotze, and Benayoun Next?
With the transfer deadline just less than two days away, and after a humiliating thumping to rival Manchester United, Arsenal are poised to make several moves, all of which will address the club's major needs.
It's official that Armand Traore has been moved to Queens Park Rangers for £2 million, opening up yet another spot at left back with the departure of Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs continuing to be burdened by injury.
The new left back will be Fenerbahce's Andre Santos, according to Daily Mail. The 28-year-old Brazilian arrives at Emirates on a £6.2 million transfer and a four-year deal worth £40,000 a week. Santos has 22 caps for Brazil, and has Champions League experience.
Monaco forward Chu-Young Park will also be announced as an addition to the Gunners in a deal that will range between £2.5 million and £4 million. The South Korean striker is due to return back to his country to complete his national service in three years.
According to ESPN, Arsenal and Chelsea are talking about two major deals. The Gunners value centre back Alex at around £7 million but the Blues are asking for £10 million. Alex is 29, and has 85 appearances for Chelsea since arriving in 2007, and has 18 caps for Brazil. Wenger has stressed that centre back would be a position the club would address in the summer.
The other major deal involves midfielder Yossi Benayoun. Both Sky Sports and the BBC have reported that Arsenal are interested in the 31-year-old Israeli. There is no reported valuation for Benayoun, who moved from Liverpool to Chelsea in July 2010 for £5 million, and has been used sparingly.
Liverpool are reportedly interested in bringing back Benayoun, and Lille is interested in him, as well.
Even more tantalizing is the new rumour that Arsenal may be making a bid for Mario Gotze. The Gunners failed to bring in young playmaker Eden Hazard, but Gotze might be the next best thing. Borussia Dortmund value the 19-year-old star at £31 million, which might be too rich for Arsenal.
However, the Gunners may feel that the loss of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri should prompt them to spend on a dynamic player like Gotze, who already has made seven appearances for Germany. Gotze's agent is denying that he will leave Borussia Dortmund, but there is still time for Arsenal to make a stronger push.
The tide of sentiment may be turning for Arsenal fans. After several weeks of discontent due to high-profile departures, Wenger appears to be on the verge of adding quality talent.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.