By Nick Lander
At the Back
It is being reported that Arsene Wenger's interest in Swansea's Ashley Williams has cooled, after the Welsh club demanded more than £10m for the centre half. It is however understood that the Gunners would be very much interested if the Swans would consider parting with their Captain for less than that £10m figure.
Another centre back that Arsenal have been linked with is Valencia's Adil Rami. The French international is likely to leave La Liga this summer, with Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Napoli all being linked with moves too. Valencia are understood to rate the 27-year-old at around £10m.
Midfield Shields
With many fans having spent most of 2012/13 screaming out for a more defensive minded midfielder following Alex Song's departure to Barcelona, links to Everton's Marouane Fellaini have been welcomed.
The Belgian's £24m buy-out clause is said to be a big stumbling block to Arsenal's interest, who do not value him that highly. The 25-year-old has been on Merseyside for the last five years, but is reported to be keen on a move to London in order to secure Champions League football.
It has also been suggested that Wenger is considering expanding his Spanish contingent yet further, by bringing in Real Sociedad's Asier Illarramendi. The 22-year-old has just won the Euro u21 Championships with Spain, and has a release clause of €30m. Real Madrid are interested in him too, but feel that his release clause is too high and Arsenal will likely feel the same. It is possible that a fee might be agreed far lower than this though, with a number of sources quoting a figure closer to £10m.
With both Illarramendi and Fellaini being expensive options, Arsenal decide to look elsewhere. Whilst the club have not been linked with a move, and he is not a defensive midfielder, I understand that Japanese international Keisuke Honda is out of contract with CSKA Moscow, and would surely be worth a move. Wenger praised the 27-year-old widely during the 2010 World Cup and the Gunners were linked with a move at the time.
On the Wings
Arsenal have emerged as favourites to land Nani from United, with Galatasaray having announced that their interest in him is over. The Portuguese winger is understood to be available for around £8m, with just a year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford. Largely frozen out of the United side by Ferguson last season, because of contract disputes, the Gunners were reported to have been considering a move back in the January window, and could return this summer.
Nani is not the only winger who has recently been linked with a move to N5 though, with speculation still existing with regards to an £8.5m move for Levante winger Ruben Garcia. The 19-year-old chalked up an impressive 41 appearances last season, also bagging 4 La Liga goals, as Levante finished 11th. He has also previously been quoted as saying he is "interested in joining Arsenal."
Lille's Dimitri Payet has also been linked. The 26-year-old managed 10 goals and 10 assists last season, and Lille are said to be willing to consider offers of £15m, with Marseille understood to have already failed with an £8m bid. His record last season, however, is worse than that of Gervinho's over his last season at Lille, so perhaps the club should proceed with caution!
It is being reported that Arsene Wenger's interest in Swansea's Ashley Williams has cooled, after the Welsh club demanded more than £10m for the centre half. It is however understood that the Gunners would be very much interested if the Swans would consider parting with their Captain for less than that £10m figure.
Another centre back that Arsenal have been linked with is Valencia's Adil Rami. The French international is likely to leave La Liga this summer, with Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Napoli all being linked with moves too. Valencia are understood to rate the 27-year-old at around £10m.
Midfield Shields
With many fans having spent most of 2012/13 screaming out for a more defensive minded midfielder following Alex Song's departure to Barcelona, links to Everton's Marouane Fellaini have been welcomed.
The Belgian's £24m buy-out clause is said to be a big stumbling block to Arsenal's interest, who do not value him that highly. The 25-year-old has been on Merseyside for the last five years, but is reported to be keen on a move to London in order to secure Champions League football.
It has also been suggested that Wenger is considering expanding his Spanish contingent yet further, by bringing in Real Sociedad's Asier Illarramendi. The 22-year-old has just won the Euro u21 Championships with Spain, and has a release clause of €30m. Real Madrid are interested in him too, but feel that his release clause is too high and Arsenal will likely feel the same. It is possible that a fee might be agreed far lower than this though, with a number of sources quoting a figure closer to £10m.
With both Illarramendi and Fellaini being expensive options, Arsenal decide to look elsewhere. Whilst the club have not been linked with a move, and he is not a defensive midfielder, I understand that Japanese international Keisuke Honda is out of contract with CSKA Moscow, and would surely be worth a move. Wenger praised the 27-year-old widely during the 2010 World Cup and the Gunners were linked with a move at the time.
On the Wings
Arsenal have emerged as favourites to land Nani from United, with Galatasaray having announced that their interest in him is over. The Portuguese winger is understood to be available for around £8m, with just a year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford. Largely frozen out of the United side by Ferguson last season, because of contract disputes, the Gunners were reported to have been considering a move back in the January window, and could return this summer.
Nani is not the only winger who has recently been linked with a move to N5 though, with speculation still existing with regards to an £8.5m move for Levante winger Ruben Garcia. The 19-year-old chalked up an impressive 41 appearances last season, also bagging 4 La Liga goals, as Levante finished 11th. He has also previously been quoted as saying he is "interested in joining Arsenal."
Lille's Dimitri Payet has also been linked. The 26-year-old managed 10 goals and 10 assists last season, and Lille are said to be willing to consider offers of £15m, with Marseille understood to have already failed with an £8m bid. His record last season, however, is worse than that of Gervinho's over his last season at Lille, so perhaps the club should proceed with caution!
In a transfer that would likely be closely related to any move, it has also become increasingly likely that Arsenal winger Gervinho will be headed back to France, after two disappointing seasons in North London, with Marseille having confirmed their desire to take him back across the Channel.
Personally, out of those four wingers, I would prefer to see Garcia in the Arsenal squad next season. Despite being young, the Spaniard has already amassed good experience in the Spanish top-flight, and would slot nicely into the growing Spanish contingent at Arsenal. He would also likely be the cheapest option, both in terms of wages and transfer fee, something which would almost certainly appeal to the Gunners, despite their greater financial flexibility this summer.
On Their Way Out
Danish flop Nicklas Bendtner is set to finally make a permanent move away from Arsenal, having spent the past two seasons on loan at Sunderland and then Juventus - where he scored a magnificent zero goals. Despite this he is said to have at least five offers on the table, with La Liga side Malaga and Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga both extremely interested in a cut price deal at around £2m.
Another striker who may not be at the club next season is Costa Rican Joel Campbell. Ian Holloway's Crystal Palace have been reported to be interested in taking the 20-year-old on a season-long loan. Having racked up 60 appearances on loan at Lorient and Real Betis over the last two seasons, along with 24 international caps, a work permit should no longer be a problem, but it remains to be seen if Arsene Wenger will decide that a third season spent on loan would be more beneficial than a season spent warming the bench, especially if one of Higuain or Rooney arrives.
In what promises to be an exciting summer, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@nlander94) and like The N5 Blog Facebook page.
Personally, out of those four wingers, I would prefer to see Garcia in the Arsenal squad next season. Despite being young, the Spaniard has already amassed good experience in the Spanish top-flight, and would slot nicely into the growing Spanish contingent at Arsenal. He would also likely be the cheapest option, both in terms of wages and transfer fee, something which would almost certainly appeal to the Gunners, despite their greater financial flexibility this summer.
Up Front
Speculation has been mounting over the past few weeks over Arsenal preparing a move for want-away Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who, according to his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has submitted his second transfer request inside of three years.
Rooney is said to be available for just £20m and both Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis have passed comment on him in recent weeks. Wenger expressed his admiration for the Englishman, whilst Gazidis emphasised the club's ability to pay a transfer fee of that magnitude and meet his £200,000 per week wages.
Alternatively, Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain could be on the verge of joining the club, with some sources reporting that personal terms have been agreed. The deal is said to be worth in excess of £130,000 per week and Arsenal are trying to push it through before they depart on their 2013 Asia Tour in around three weeks. A fee of around £22m is reportedly close to being finalised with Real Madrid.
Speculation has been mounting over the past few weeks over Arsenal preparing a move for want-away Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who, according to his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has submitted his second transfer request inside of three years.
Rooney is said to be available for just £20m and both Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis have passed comment on him in recent weeks. Wenger expressed his admiration for the Englishman, whilst Gazidis emphasised the club's ability to pay a transfer fee of that magnitude and meet his £200,000 per week wages.
Alternatively, Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain could be on the verge of joining the club, with some sources reporting that personal terms have been agreed. The deal is said to be worth in excess of £130,000 per week and Arsenal are trying to push it through before they depart on their 2013 Asia Tour in around three weeks. A fee of around £22m is reportedly close to being finalised with Real Madrid.
Danish flop Nicklas Bendtner is set to finally make a permanent move away from Arsenal, having spent the past two seasons on loan at Sunderland and then Juventus - where he scored a magnificent zero goals. Despite this he is said to have at least five offers on the table, with La Liga side Malaga and Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga both extremely interested in a cut price deal at around £2m.
Another striker who may not be at the club next season is Costa Rican Joel Campbell. Ian Holloway's Crystal Palace have been reported to be interested in taking the 20-year-old on a season-long loan. Having racked up 60 appearances on loan at Lorient and Real Betis over the last two seasons, along with 24 international caps, a work permit should no longer be a problem, but it remains to be seen if Arsene Wenger will decide that a third season spent on loan would be more beneficial than a season spent warming the bench, especially if one of Higuain or Rooney arrives.
In what promises to be an exciting summer, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@nlander94) and like The N5 Blog Facebook page.
