Today’s transfer rumours are slightly more believable than the usual dross; however as with all transfer rumours you should take them with a truckload of salt.
Arsenal’s Gilberto to Valencia
Gilberto linked with Valencia in a January transfer move; although Gilberto leaving Arsenal could realistically happen I can’t see anything going through till the summer. Gilberto has been displaced by Flamini in his favoured defensive midfielder role, but the idea of Wenger letting one of his most experienced players leave during the middle of the season is hardly one to be believed.
With the African Cup of Nations around, Gilberto will be needed to fill in at centre back should Arsenal be hit with their regular spate of injuries, as well as provide some stability should Flamini go off form. The quoted fee for the deal is €10 million, and if you take a look at the players Valencia have that are capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, as well as the relatively high cost for someone of Gilberto’s age, it seems even more unlikely.
Albelda, Marchena, Marcos Senna are all capable of playing there, as well as ex-Arsenal midfielder Edu, so it looks unlikely that Gilberto will leave… for Valencia. I do think he will leave Arsenal at the end of the season; a move to Italy looks more likely.
Manchester City Go Striker Mad
Yesterday Manchester City were linked with Michael Owen; today they were linked with the same striker again as well as old-boy Nicolas Anelka. Sunday Mirror has Owen going to Manchester City for just £6 million while News of the World have the rumour that Anelka will be playing in light blue once more.
Owen at £6 million is a much better deal than the £9 million quoted yesterday, and Manchester City can definitely afford him. As for Anelka, everyone knows what the player can do; he has been the sole glimpse light in a pitch dark Bolton lineup, and would surely flourish in a better team with better players.
While Anelka wanted to move to a top four club, a return to Manchester City would be just as good for him at this moment in time- the club are moving upwards at a fast rate and should definitely qualify for the UEFA Cup this season. Anelka have been valued at around £12 million by the club but as said before, with the wealth of Shinawatra that is a bargain price for one of the top strikers in the division.
Chelsea Want Everton’s Mikel Arteta
News of the World is the tabloid again; this time it’s Chelsea who are apparently leading the way for Mikel Arteta. Arteta is easily one of the most underrated midfielders in the division and would not look out of place in one of the top four teams- Chelsea however are apparently leading a whole pack of clubs in the race for his signature.
If Ten Cate revamps Chelsea like I think he will, Arteta would be the perfect player to have in midfield- creativity with a little bit of bite all rolled up in one package. If any move is to be made, it will come in January; Chelsea could lose Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel for the African Cup of Nations, so Arteta would be a quality replacement.
How possible this rumour could happen is yet to be seen at the moment, but I’d rate it more likely than the above two ones, as Arteta’s performances for Everton over the past few years have been like a large ‘Come and Get Me’ to all the big clubs around the world, and it seems like he might finally get his move.
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