After the sale of Alex Song to Barcelona, Arsenal have been left with a slight gap in the centre of their midfield. The media have speculated that moves for a number of holding midfielders could be on the cards, but it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger will reinvest the £15 million captured for the Cameroon international or stick with the players already at his disposal.
The Gunners were frontrunners to sign Rennes’ highly-rated France international Yann M’Vila earlier in the summer, but a move for the 22-year-old has seemingly stalled. M’Vila’s record of ill-discipline and the Ligue 1 side’s stubbornness over a fee has seen Wenger actually take a step back, with Tottenham reportedly entering the race to sign him also. One way or the other, Rennes director Pierre Dreossi has revealed that it is likely that M’Vila will leave the Route de Lorient before the end of August.
“I think that it can be settled by the end of this week or the start of next,” the French executive confessed last week.
“But it is complicated because some clubs are not agreed within their clubs about the deal and there are clubs where Yann does not want to go.
“Arsenal? Maybe, you would have to ask Arsene Wenger. But with Song leaving, it means that Arsenal are going to reinforce that position.”
Another name in the frame is Anderlecht’s Argentine battler Lucas Biglia. After moving to Belgium back in 2006, the now 25-year-old has matured into a rounded athlete and an important player in the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium club’s quest for domestic silverware.
Despite playing in a second-tier European league, Biglia has been rewarded for his efforts internationally, making a handful of appearances for the Argentina national side. At club level the speculation over a move to a bigger club has surrounded the South American for a number of transfer windows and the player has confirmed that there has been contact from north London.
“Real Madrid and Arsenal have both been in contact,” Biglia was quoted as saying earlier in the summer
“I am still under contract with Anderlecht until 2015 but they know that I plan to leave.
“If a club offers the right price, Anderlecht will let me go.”
Finally, one of the latest rumours in the British press links Arsenal with a move for Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote. The Ivory Coast international has been a bargain signing for Alan Pardew’s men, costing a mere £3.5 million back in August 2010 from Twente. The African battler’s work-rate, willingness to put his body on the line for his team and ability to break up opposition possession has seen him receive many plaudits and Tiote is now an important member of the Tyneside team as they look to build on last season’s fifth-place finish.
Tiote’s rise to prominence has seen him linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester United in the past, however the latest rumours are that Arsenal are ready to weigh-in with a £15 million bid. However, Newcastle will be reluctant to sell, despite the summer addition of central midfielder Vurnon Anita, and the player seems settled at the Sports Direct Arena.
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