Arsenal Assess Trialists

Perez (R) tweeted a picture with Thomas Vermaelen during his trial

By Nick Lander

 

In amongst all the speculation over big name signings, Arsenal have also invited a number of players for trials with the club. Colombian midfielder Sebastian Perez and Moroccan Alharbi El-Jadeyaoui, also a midfielder are understood to currently be training with the first team squad and United Arab Emirates international Omar Abdulrahman is believed to be wanted for a trial by Arsene Wenger.

 

20-year-old Perez currently plays for Atlético Nacional. He made his senior debut in 2011 and has gone on to make more than 50 appearances for them, also winning the Colombian top flight this season. Mostly deployed as a defensive midfielder, he is described on the Atlético Nacional website as being a good passer of the ball with good vision and as adept at taking long shots. Valued by his club at around £5m, a deal is very possible for the Colombian U20 international, who would likely go straight into the first team squad.

 

El-Jadeyaoui would represent Arsenal's second capture from the French Ligue 2 this summer, the 26-year-old is a centre midfielder for Angers. The Moroccan weighed in with 10 assists and four goals last season and is said to be at London Colney with Perez on trial at the moment. A full international, L'Equipe report that El-Jadeyaoui will be with Arsenal for two days. The left-footed playmaker is reportedly valued at £3m by Angers, who withdrew him from their squad to face Istres over the weekend so he would be fit for his trial.

 

It has also been reported that Arsenal are in a race with Barcelona and Shalke to secure Omar Abdulrahman. The UAE international was supposed to be on trial with the Gunners this week, but his club Al Ain pulled him out. Deputy chairman of Al Ain, Rashid bin Mubarak Al Hajri, said, "Have we had an offer from Arsenal for him to come to train? Then yes. We've also had offers from Spanish teams, and other teams also, but the player will decide ultimately. We got a lot of offers for Omar. If he finds the right environment, then we will be very supportive. It's a package that will have to be right, where he can improve his football. I'll leave that for Omar - that's for him to decide."

It remains to be seen if Arsenal will manage to negotiate a trial for the 21-year-old, who impressed many at last year's Olympic games.

Whilst activity in the transfer market will undoubtedly placate many Arsenal fans, none of these players really represent the big name signing that Gooners so crave, with any move for Luis Suarez still seemingly stalled and with some sizeable obstacles to overcome were Wenger to decide to move for Wayne Rooney.

You can keep up to date with the window by following me on Twitter (@nlander94) and by liking The N5 Blog on Facebook.