PSG outbid Arsenal for Newcastle’s Cabaye, lodge a rumoured €15m offer

Arsenal’s pursuit of Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye is set to become complicated by PSG if reports in Thursday’s L’Equipe are accurate.
France’s leading daily sports newspaper report that PSG have submitted a slightly higher offer than Arsenal’s bid for Yohan Cabaye, thought to be a €15m offer. For the record, Arsenal were reported to have had a £10m bid for the French international rejected earlier in the week.
PSG’s interest in 27-year-old Cabaye is not out-of-the-blue.
With David Beckham now departed, PSG’s central midfield options are limited to just Blaise Matuidi, Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti. As such further recruits are vital for PSG during 2013-14, and Cabaye has been earmarked as a player would can add extra talent in the middle of the park.
Moreover, many believe Cabaye would be interested in moving to Paris now that ex-French international manager Laurent Blanc is in charge at the Parc de Princes.
Blanc introduced Cabaye into the France fold during his tenure in charge of Les Bleus, and Blanc famously praised the midfielder by calling him the “next Xavi”. The duo are said to have an excellent working relationship.
Cabaye has been at St James’ Park since 2011 having been signed for 5 million pounds, during which time he has chalked up 60 appearances for Newcastle scoring 10 goals.

Arsenal to land exciting £15 million Spanish star

Arsenal to land exciting £15 million Spanish star as club ready to do business!

Iker Muniain has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, as Athletic Bilbao are reportedly ready to do business

The Gunners are on the lookout for a striker and are expected to dip into the transfer market with a renewed sense of determination after already having lost out on Gonzalo Higuain, who joined Napoli, and Luis Suarez, who seems set to stay at Liverpool.
Wenger is believed to be an admirer of Muniain, 20, currently with Spanish side Bilbao.
The youngster is understood to have been identified as the perfect solution to the club’s attacking crisis, with striker Olivier Giroud calling on his manager to add support to the frontline. (SportsDirectNews)
The lad is valued at around £15 million and that is seen as a bargain by many

Arsenal ‘Encouraged’ Over £40m Benzema Deal After Making Contact With Madrid

By Gooner Mac  Published: 22nd August 2013

With the summer transfer window in full swing, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsenal move for Karim Benzema.

Arsenal have been encouraged that a £40m deal for Karim Benzema could be on the cards after making an enquiry to Real Madrid over the strikers availability, according to the Telegraph.

We’ve already failed with bids for Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez this summer while any potential move for Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney appears highly unlikely, and it seems Arsene Wenger has now turned his attention to Benzema as he looks to bring in a top name striker before the window closes.

The boss has been a relative by-stander so far this summer after only bringing in the free signing of Yaya Sanogo, but that appears set to change with the Frenchman stating after Wednesday nights 3-0 win over Fenerbache that his transfer window starts now while also confirming that any deal for Suarez is dead:

“Absolutely no chance of that [signing Suarez],” he said. “It is true that one bid for a striker did not work. That took a long time. We have to wake up from that now. I’m confident.

“The transfer market starts for me now and a lot of activity will happen between now and Sept 2. It is like a poker game. People hold their cards as long as possible. In the end, they go for decisions.” Wenger told the Telegraph

The Telegraph claim that Arsenal made contact with Madrid earlier this week to enquire over Benzema’s availability and were given encouragement that a potential £40m deal could be agreed as the Spaniard’s are desperate to raise money to fund their world record move for Gareth Bale.

On the face of it, it seems highly unlikely that Madrid would sell Benzema having already sold Gonzalo Higuain, but the newspaper suggests that Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is ready to play Cristiano Ronaldo through the middle with Gareth Bale on the left and Angel Di Maria or Isco on the right, while highly-rated young striker Alvaro Mortata is also seen as being ready to make the step up next season.

The report also suggests that Benzema will be keen for assurances over his starting spot ahead of next summers World Cup and he may not be too happy to find out Ancelotti is planning on playing Ronaldo through the middle once Bale arrives, so a move to north London may not be out of the question.

Wenger has been a long-term admirer of the 25-year-old’s and I’m sure he’d jump at the chance to bring him to the Emirates. It seems we could be in for a busy final few days of the transfer window and the signing of Benzema would certainly be an excellent start to Arsenal’s business.

Wenger: “No Chance Of Signing Luis Suarez”

 
After weeks of speculation and failed bids, Arsene Wenger has finally admitted defeat in his chase for Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.
Our interest in the controversial Uruguayan has been widely publicised this summer with Liverpool publicly slamming us for tabling a bid of £40,000,001 after we were led to believe that any offer over £40m would trigger a buy-out clause in the strikers contract.
Suarez has made no secret of his desire to leave Anfield in search of Champions League football – something we can almost certainly offer him next season after last nights 3-0 away win over Fenerbache – but Brendan Rodgers remained adamant the striker was going nowhere this summer.
Things have gone quiet on Suarez front in recent days and some Arsenal fans held faint hope that we were gearing up for one last move, but speaking last night the boss confirmed the deal is dead, saying we have no chance of signing Suarez.
He told the clubs official website:

on if the Luis Suarez transfer is dead…
Yes. Absolutely no chance of that.

So our search for a world class striker continues and interesting reports this morning are linking us with a move for Karim Benzema. Not sure that pursuit will be any more successful than the Suarez one, but we’ll wait and see….

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners linked with swoop for Real Madrid pair

 
After Arsenal's impressive 3-0 away win against Fenerbahce last night they were linked with a number high priced players. Knowing they needed a new striker the Gunners were linked with Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of the Frenchman but has never had the chance to bring him to the Emirates.
There are reports that suggest it will cost Arsenal up to £40m to secure the services of the player as Real Madrid look to fund the transfer of Gareth Bale. It may be difficult to complete the deal because Madrid would be unwilling to let another striker leave after selling Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli earlier in the summer.

Angel Di Maria was also linked with a move to London, it is reported that Arsenal are working on bringing both players from Madrid to London and could be willing to spend £100m in the remaining period of the transfer window. If these deals come off then Arsenal will have finally captured the quality players they need to push on for the rest of the season. It is unlikely that anything will be done before Saturday’s match away to Fulham. It will be a boost for the club that Champions League football is all but secured before they’ve completed the second leg. They will hope that this will be a deciding factor in completing the deals they need. Laurent Koscielny suffered an injury scare as he was taken off after being booted in the face by Fenerbahce striker Pierre Webo, treated for a deep cut and was later released from hospital and flew home with the rest of the team.

Redemption for Arsene Wenger in Istanbul - player rating

Fenerbahce (0) – (3) Arsenal
Gibbs 51′, Ramsey 64′, Giroud 77′ (Pen)
Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul
Champions League Qualifier

Last night was an excellent performance from every player, and one that was a million miles away from the shambles on Saturday. Our inter-play was excellent and it was a joy to watch Cazorla, Rosicky, Wilshere and Ramsey passing the ball like they did. Sure, people will say that Fenerbahce didn’t offer much (which they didn’t) but that was partly because of how well Arsenal played.
We pressed high up the pitch, were well organised and didn’t give any of their players much time on the ball. And when it mattered, we put the ball into the net.
It was 0-0 at half time but we had been the better team. Once the second half kicked off we increased the tempo and Fenerbahce couldn’t handle us. The first goal was really well executed, with a beautiful through ball by Ramsey to Theo, who had the presence to pick out Kieran Gibbs at the far post.
1-0 and that was the vital away goal we needed.
We kept pressing and Aaron Ramsey, who was my Man of the Match, had all the time in the world and fired in a low rasping shot into the bottom corner which Volkan found too hot to handle.
Then, Theo was beautifully picked out by Santi Cazorla and was brought down in the area. When I saw it I had my hands in the air as it was a penalty but it is one of those you might not get in an away game, but fortunately the referee gave the right decision. I wasn’t 100% confident when I saw Olivier Giroud step up but he finished with aplomb.
So 3-0 away from home at Fenerbahce and for me that was an outstanding result. Not only because it was unexpected after the debacle against Aston Villa but because that effectively (barring any freak 90 minutes at The Emirates) means we should be safely through and in the Champions League proper. Of course, we can’t count our chickens just yet but the hardest part of the task is done and we couldn’t of asked for any more.
Fenerbahce did have a couple of chances to score, the first from left back Kadlec which Szczesny saved well, and the second from Emenike from a narrow angle. Gibbs, Mertesacker and Sagna (when he had to move into central defence) were all solid, and Carl Jenkinson was excellent. I don’t understand the people who say he needs more time because I think he’s ready and don’t forget he was fantastic at the start of last season when Sagna was out injured. He’s intelligent, gets well up the pitch and his crossing is top drawer. I don’t have a problem using Sagna in the middle if that means Jenkinson gets to play.
So in the end, a fantastic result which should mean we’ll be playing in Europe’s elite club competition this season.
Player Ratings:
1. Wojciech Szczesny – 7/10
Wasn’t called upon a huge amount of times but when needed pulled off some very good saves. Was brave in the challenge against Sow and unlike Saturday, was solid.
3. Bacary Sagna – 7/10
Was up and down the right hand side as usual and coped well considering Theo isn’t the greatest at tracking back. Once he moved into central defence after Koscielny went off injured, he was solid and did well alongside Mertesacker.
4. Per Mertesacker – 7/10
The captain had a better day at the office and kept Webo and Sow quiet for the majority of the game. Made some good interceptions and won most of the headers inside and outside the box. Wasn’t troubled at all.
6. Laurent Koscielny – 6/10
Went off after 33 minutes after a nasty looking injury to his face. He darted in front of Webo to win the ball and got one hell of a kick to the head. Looked painful at the time and he is not having the best of luck at the moment.
28. Kieran Gibbs – 8/10
Up and down the flank all night and linked up well with Jack, Ramsey, Cazorla and Rosicky. Made some good runs and got himself into some decent positions on the left wing, and deserved his goal.
16. Aaron Ramsey – 9/10
For me, the Man of the Match. He was so confident on the ball, waltzed past players with ease and his passing was first class. Beautiful ball to Theo to assist the Kieran Gibbs goal and deserved his bit of luck for Arsenal’s second. If he keeps this up he could be a massive player for Arsenal this season and looks to have really kicked on from last season.
10. Jack Wilshere – 7/10
Got himself about and made some important interceptions and linked up well with the other 3 midfielders. Made some good runs and passing was excellent. Had a nice dribble around Bruno Alves but the angle for the shot was against him and was saved.
7. Tomas Rosicky – 7/10
Set the tone for the team with his endless running and pressing. Looked lively from the first whistle and was comfortable on the ball, making some incisive passes.
19. Santi Cazorla – 8/10
Looked like his old self, and along with Ramsey, Wilshere and Rosicky controlled the midfield. Some of the passes he made were really exceptional and he showed how good he is on his day. Beautiful control and touches on the ball, often using his skill to get out of sticky situations.
14. Theo Walcott – 7/10
His overall performance was hit and miss but Theo is an impact player and he did exactly that. Good run and cut back for Gibbs for the first goal and did really well to win the penalty for the third. His touches could have been better but basically making two of the goals is a decent nights work.
12. Olivier Giroud – 6/10
Did okay but didn’t have much luck against Yobo and Alves. Took his penalty very well but his passing was suspect and did have a great chance just before half time when he was put through by Wilshere. We all know he’s not the most clinical finisher but thats 2 goals in 2 games now.
Substitutes:
25. Carl Jenkinson – 8/10 (replaced Koscielny 33′)
Once again a very assured performance from Jenkinson. I rate him very highly indeed and again he didn’t disappoint. Has a great turn of pace to beat a fullback and did that on several occasions. He put in some excellent crosses which really should have been taken advantage of if some of the Arsenal players gambled in the middle.
9. Lukas Podolski – NLE (replaced Giroud 82′)
Not long enough to make an impact.
17. Nacho Monreal – NLE (replaced Walcott 87′)
Not long enough to make an impact.

Arsenal to make move and land top-notch striker!

Arsenal are ready to make a move for Monaco striker Emmanuel Riviere,  who is valued at just £10 million

Monaco have spent close to £130m this summer on players including Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguz and Joao Moutinho.
It is the 23-year-old Riviere however, who has grabbed the healines since the start of the Ligue 1 season, scoring four goals in the opening two matches.
The French youngster outshone his £51m team-mate Falcao on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win at home to Montpellier.
Riviere is a player Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has long admired, having first been linked with him in 2011.
Back then Riviere was turning out for Saint Etienne but has since passed through Toulouse before joining Moncao in January for a fee believed to be in the region of £3m. (SportsDirectNews)
The man is very highly-rated in the game and has already hit four goals in two games this season, so although he isn’t a massive name, he is real quality

Fenerbahce confident ahead of Champions League play-off

Fenerbahce defender Hasan Ali Kaldirim insists his side do not fear Arsenal because they are not the same fearsome side they once were.

The Gunners travel to Istanbul on Wednesday to contest the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie with a place in the group stage on offer for the winner.

The 23-year-old told the club's official broadcasting channel FBTV that they are confident ahead of Arsenal clash.


"We are Fenerbahce and Arsenal is not the same team before," he said
"Arsenal are one of the most powerful clubs in the world. They have very important players especially in offensive positions.

While they are still a potent force going forward, Kaldirim believes Arsene Wenger's men have defensive weaknesses.

"They are not that good in defense but they play in a high tempo and can pass the ball very accurately. It's going to be a hard match-up but we are confident," he continued.

Wenger is facing up to the prospect of having just eight fully fit senior outfield players for the trip to Turkey.

Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey are all doubtful after picking up injuries at the weekend.

While Thomas Vermaelen, Nacho Monreal, Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby and now Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are already confirmed to miss the midweek clash through injury

Arsenal set to raid Swansea for duo

The Gunners fell to an embarrassing opening Premier League weekend defeat, falling 3-1 to Aston Villa at the Emirates with French centre-back Lorient Koscielny receiving a red-card.

As a result of the suspension and a series of untimely injuries, manager Arsene Wenger only has Per Mertesacker to choose as an established centre-half, with Thomas Vermaelen, Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna all out on the sidelines. Williams captains both Swansea and Wales, and the composed defender has impressed mightily since his promotion to the Premier League with Swansea two years ago. Last term, he also led the club to a League Cup victory. His leadership qualities, and his ability to pass the ball the out of the defence mean he is rated around £10m, although the Welsh club will try desperately not to lose their skipper.

Michu only arrived at Swansea last summer, but has taken the league by storm. 19 league goals as seen his value rise through the roof, and boss Michael Laudrup would only expect an astronomical bid, probably close to £25m.
Gunners fans are desperate for their side to recruit new players, having so far only brought in French youngster Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer.
Deals for Williams and Michu would appease some, but many would feel that £35m is way too much to pay for mid-table Premier League players. These fans had hoped the club would bring in either Gonzalo Higuain or Luis Suarez, but with the former joining Napoli, and Liverpool refusing to let their Uruguayan striker leave – Arsenal are running out of options.

ARSENAL TO MAKE A BID FOR HIGH-RATED BRAZILIAN

Arsenal are set to respond to criticism from long suffering supporters with a move to sign much wanted Brazilian attacker Willian according to Sports Direct News.
Arsene Wenger will look to beat Tottenham and Liverpool in the race to sign the 25 year old, who is thought to be available for a fee of around £30m, which would of course represent a Gunners club record.
Willian only moved to the Russian Premier League side in January but he, as well as other big earners at Anzhi, have been made available by owner Suleyman Kerimov as he looks to decrease the club’s wage bill and hopes to balance the books with the sales of some star performers having ‘over-invested’ in the club in recent seasons.
Thus far Arsenal’s only new signing has come in the form of free transfer addition Yaya Sanogo though Wenger has done well to trim a fair bit of deadwood from his Emirates Stadium squad.
Andrei Arshavin, Sebastien Squillaci and Denilson have all been released whilst Marouane Chamakh, Vito Mannone, Gervinho and Andre Santos have all been sold.
Funds would appear to be available to mount a big money move for Willian, who was a massive success with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk before moving to Anzhi, with many reports suggesting that Arsene Wenger has a hefty transfer war-chest that he is still to invest in his squad.
Willian may well prefer a move to Arsenal over a possible switch to Tottenham or Liverpool given that the club are just one round away from a spot in the Champions League group stages, albeit having the difficult task of disposing of Turkish giants Fenerbahce first.