Arsenal transfer news: Real Madrid make move for Laurent Koscielny
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Updated 25/06/2015 at 09:07 GMT
Could Arsenal lose one of their key players this summer?
Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny
Image credit: PA Photos
25TH JUNE 2015
Arsenal could lose Laurent Koscielny to Real Madrid, according to a report in Thursday's Daily Mirror. With Sergio Ramos seemingly set for the exit, the paper reports that Real Madrid are going to bid £21m for the Gunners defender as a replacement.
Arsene Wenger is said to be very wary of selling up; as he made clear in the interview with Arsenal's official SoundCloud page, he thinks the world of a player he has brought in and nurtured for several years.
The problem, of course, is that if Real Madrid also think the world of Koscielny, he will be off - especially if Rafa Benitez promises him status as the new Sergio Ramos.
OUR VIEW
Koscielny isn't as good as Ramos, but he would be considerably cheaper than what Real Madrid would sell Ramos for and there aren't that many great centre-back options out there. Arsenal won't want to sell the Frenchman, but if they can get closer to £25m, it wouldn't be bad business. That's a hefty chunk of change for a 29-year-old and if Real Madrid don't want to pay up, they can always keep him, just like they want to.
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Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (L) and Arsenal's French defender Laurent Koscielny look out from an open top bus during the Arsenal victory parade
Image credit: AFP
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24TH JUNE 2015
It seems that Arsenal's search for a defensive midfielder may soon be over amid growing speculation that a deal has been agreed with Southampton for French international Morgan Schneiderlin.
It's suggested that Arsenal have offered the £24m fee that Southampton are looking for, with Schneiderlin said to be very keen on a move to the Emirates.
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France midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin
Image credit: Eurosport
The 25-year-old holding midfielder has been linked with a move to North London for more than a year but was told last summer that he had to stay at Southampton.
That led to a furious response on Twitter from the former Strasbourg trainee, who has been at St Mary's since 2008.
After a successful season that saw Southampton qualifying for the Europa League, it seems that he will be allowed to go this time.
OUR VIEW
Morgan Schneiderlin has been an obvious transfer target for Arsenal for more than a year, so it seemed strange that the Gunners had apparently gone cold on him. If the rumours of a £24m deal are true it seems a fair price for an impressive midfield player who offers a similar level of passing accuracy to Mikel Arteta from the deeper-lying role.
He could play alongside Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin or Santi Cazorla in a variety of systems and, alongside Petr Cech, will be an excellent addition if Arsenal can get him.
19TH JUNE 2015
Adrien Rabiot has put Arsenal and Tottenham on red alert by handing in a transfer request at PSG.
Adrien Rabiot’s future has been up in the air for some time now – the talented midfielder who was briefly on the books of Manchester City as a youngster has been the periphery of the PSG team.
He has interested a host of Premier League clubs and was thought to be on the cusp of a move to Tottenham in January; while Arsenal are also known to be keen admirers.
However, the France U21 international elected to bide his time in the French capital but his patience has now run out, as his mum and agent Veronique revealed in an interview with Le Parisien.
“Adrien loves PSG, he’s attached and would love to make a career for himself there, but it’s not possible,” the Daily Mail reports she told Le Parisien.
‘”He needs 35 games per season to continue his progression, and this won’t happen at PSG next season.
“I’ve asked for a transfer."
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France's midfielder Adrien Rabiot (L) is congratulated after scoring a goal by France's defender Benjamin Mendy (R) during the U-21 friendly football match between France and Paraguay at the Leo Lagrange Stadium in Besancon, eastern France, on June 16, 20
Image credit: AFP
OUR VIEW
Rabiot would represent a fine signing for Arsenal as he would provide further depth at the base of Arsenal’s midfield. Francis Coquelin has been a revelation in this season but Arsene Wenger would be foolhardy not to get competition/cover there.
Furthermore, Rabiot would add another dynamic to the Arsenal midfield as he is as adept at breaking up play as he is setting attacks in motion. However, Rabiot, as stated by his agent, is after first team guarantees and he would not be afforded that luxury at Arsenal where he would also not be a certain starter.
17TH JUNE 2015
Betfair have suspended betting on Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech moving to Arsenal after he was heavily backed for the move at odds as short as 1/10.
Cech has made it clear to Chelsea that he wants to stay in London, making Arsenal heavy favourites for his signature.
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Petr Cech is on the verge of a move to Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Although Blues manager Jose Mourinho is reluctant to sell Cech, the Czech international, who has one year left on his contract, is determined to leave after losing his place in the starting XI.
His signing would be a major coup for Arsenal, who have struggled to find a consistent number one in recent seasons, and it seems that the move is now close to completion.
OUR VIEW
Any transfer between rivals Chelsea and Arsenal is going to be a delicate negotiation but it seems that all three parties are now open to the move. Cech is too good to be a reserve goalkeeper and, at 33, could easily play at the top level for another five years. If Arsenal can get it over the line, it will be a major step towards a title challenge.
16TH JUNE 2015
Turkish newspaper Aksam claim that Galatasaray have agreed a €2m deal to sign Germany international Lukas Podolski from Arsenal.
The 30-year-old, who scored twice against the Turkish side in last season's Champions League, spent the second-half of last season on loan at Inter Milan and appears to be surplus to requirements at the Emirates.
Speaking about a potential transfer last week, Podolski said: "It looks like I will return to London but things can change in the upcoming weeks or even days."
It seems that Podolski was right with his latter prediction.
OUR VIEW:
The moment Lukas Podolski was allowed to joint Inter Milan on loan last season his fate was sealed. Already on the fringes of the Arsenal team, the 30-year-old's chances of playing are only becoming more remote as time goes by. With Euro 2016 on the horizon, the 30-year-old needs to be playing regularly to secure his place in the Germany squad for the tournament and he will get that if he joins Galatasaray.
15TH JUNE 2015
Arsenal are expected to join the battle to sign Liverpool and England winger Raheem Sterling later this week, claim to The Express.
Liverpool have already turned down a £30 million bid from Manchester City for the wantaway player.
Sterling is said to favour a return to London having moved to Liverpool from QPR in 2010 but Liverpool are insistent that the player is not for sale.
However, if a club were to lodge a bid of £50 million then the Anfield club may be swayed.
OUR VIEW
Do Arsenal really need Sterling? He would not be a guaranteed starter at the Emirates, such is the attacking wealth at Arsene Wenger’s disposal. If he were available for £10-15 million then a move would be justifiable but at £50 million it isn't.
Sterling may want to move back to London but, in all probability, the only club in England who could afford him AND be willing to pay that sort of money are Manchester City.
14TH JUNE 2015
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Carl Jenkinson celebrates scoring his first goal for Arsenal
Image credit: Reuters
SUNDERLAND LOOKING TO LOAN CARL JENKINSON - Sunderland are willing to pay Arsenal £2m to loan right back Carl Jenkinson next season, claim The Evening Chronicle. The 23-year-old spent a year at West Ham on a temporary deal and appears to be available for another short-term move, even if Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to keep him.
"[Jenkinson] has had a great season for me and he has moved forward and overall he has gained a lot of confidence," said Wenger last month.
"The decision I have to make is do I bring him back now or does he need one more year now to play in the Premier League. It's not decided yet.”
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Carl Jenkinson in action for West Ham against Chelsea
Image credit: Reuters
Arsenal are certainly well stocked in the right back position with Hector Bellerin, Mathieu Debuchy and the versatile Calum Chambers all able to play there.
It's unlikely that any deal will be agreed until after the 2015 UEFA U21 Championship, with Jenkinson selected in the England squad for the tournament which starts on Wednesday.
OUR VIEW: Another season on loan for Carl Jenkinson makes total sense with Mathieu Debuchy and Hector Bellerin covering the right back spot for Arsenal at present. If Jenkinson can back up his impressive year at West Ham with another excellent campaign on loan then he could still become a regular at the Emirates in the years to come. He's a very popular figure at the club having been an Arsenal fan growing up and Arsene Wenger will be hoping he can continue his rapid improvement, whether that's at Sunderland or not.
11TH JUNE 2015
FENERBAHCE BID FOR JOEL CAMPBELL - Reports suggest that Turkish side Fenerbahce have offered €10m (£7.3m) for Arsenal and Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell, who spent the second-half of last season on loan at Villarreal. Real Sociedad are also said to be interested in the 22-year-old, meaning a bidding war could be on the cards.
After three seasons on loan it seemed as if Campbell would finally get a chance in the Arsenal side this season after an impressive World Cup showing with Costa Rica. However, Campbell got just four Premier League games for the Gunners before being sent out on loan to Villarreal. His next move is likely to be a permanent one.
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Joel Campbell has made just four Premier League appearances for Arsenal
Image credit: Eurosport
OUR VIEW: After playing in five different countries in the last five years, it's time for the nomadic Joel Campbell to settle down and develop the talent he showed at the World Cup. He is a long way from getting into the Arsenal team at present, behind the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, and he must know it's time to go.
10 JUNE 2015
PSG PULL OUT OF CECH RACE - ARSENAL MOVE NEARS
Petr Cech appears set to join Arsenal from Chelsea after PSG pulled out of the race for him, L'Equipe reports. Cech is set to meet Chelsea next week to discuss his future, which is certain to lie away from Stamford Bridge after a season on the bench behind Thibaut Courtois. The goalkeeper is said to favour staying in London and said: "If I move, it brings difficulties. I must change everything, looking for housing, a school for children and so on."
OUR VIEW: Jose Mourinho does not like selling to rival clubs, but Cech's desire to stay in London has left Chelsea with little option. Despite his age (33) and position as a clear number two to Courtois, Cech will not come cheap and Mourinho has also mooted a possible part-exchange deal.
DIABY AND MIYAICHI SET FOR EXIT
Abou Diaby and Ryo Miyaichi are set to leave Arsenal after being included on the Premier League's free transfer list. Strictly speaking, the players could still be offered new contracts before 30 June, but it is likely that both have played their last game for the club. Semi Ajayi, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, Jack Jebb, Austin Lipman and Josh Vickers are also set for release.
OUR VIEW: Diaby's terrible injury problems restricted him to 124 appearances in nine seasons, and while many Arsenal fans will be sad to see him go, there is little chance of him establishing himself as a first-team fixture. We can only hope his health holds up well enough for him to continue his career elsewhere.
9 JUNE 2015
ARSENAL CAN HAVE BRAHIMI FOR £40m
Sky Italia is reporting that Porto have named their price for attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi, and will let him go to Arsenal for £40m. Arsene Wenger is a long-time admirer of the Algerian international, who started his professional career in France with Rennes.
OUR VIEW: Wenger has shown he is prepared to spend big money - but will not pay more for Brahimi than the laid out on Alexis Sanchez last summer. It seems the clubs are currently far apart in their valuation of the player.
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FC Porto's Yacine Brahimi in action
Image credit: AFP
8 JUNE 2015
LUKAS PODOLSKI HINTS AT SUMMER MOVE
Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has hinted at a possible summer transfer during a press conference for the Germany national side. Podolski, who is part of the Germany squad for Wednesday's friendly against USA, is expected to leave the Emirates this summer after a disappointing six-month loan spell at Inter Milan. The 30-year-old has dismissed links with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen but knows he could soon be on the move.
He said: "It looks like I will return to London. But things can change in the upcoming weeks or even days. If need be, I will be at Arsenal next season. It's a great club, and I think that I can help the team."
OUR VIEW: Lukas Podolski is a big fan-favourite at Arsenal for his activity on social media but most people know it's now time for him to move on. After falling out of contention in the first half of last season, Podolski did nothing to improve his reputation during an underwhelming spell at Inter Milan. With Arsenal expected to sign a top-class forward this summer, competition will only become more fierce, and Podolski, now the wrong side of 30, should leave for the sake of his international career.
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