Gooner Talk Transfer Rumour Round-Up

Welcome to the second week of the Gooner Talk Transfer Rumour Round-Up. In this weeks update, we will still be having a few familiar names noted last week and some new names popping up in the Arsenal transfer rumour scene.

1. Samir Nasri

To kickstart this episode, we will focus our attention on the “imminent” and “most probable” signing of this summer. No, nothing has been confirmed yet. The Samir Nasri transfer saga has been the headlines of Arsenal’s transfer rumour scene this week, as sources particularly from France were reporting the news on a huge scale.

Intensified

Marseille maestro Samir Nasri told French Television that his goal against Racing Strasbourg was “very important” as it could be the last game the 20 year old plays for the French giants. The whole saga was intensified after the final game of Marseille’s season (against Strasbourg) when Samir Nasri made the following comments:

“It is (the goal) very important because it is perhaps my last match at the Stade Velodrome.”

The creative midfield playmaker’s comments basically sparked speculations about him leaving the club very soon and one of the destinations speculated was Arsenal. It is not a secret that Arsene Wenger admires Samir Nasri as a player.

Samir Nasri, also known as “the new Zinedine Zidane”, was then linked everyday to Arsenal. Different sources from France have taken the news which was suspected to be first reported by La Provence. This Marseille based newspaper reported on May 18th that both Marseille and Arsenal have agreed a deal for Samir Nasri which will become official in the next few weeks.

Note that the report mentioned “in the next few weeks”, but many expected the deal to be completed in a matter of days. Due to the intensification of the news, it is reported on Gooner Talk as well that Marseille fans have been mentally prepared for Nasri’s departure, as they bid “goodbye” to their young French midfield maestro.

Source: Gooner Talk

Twist

Despite that, the story took a new twist the next few day when Nasri’s agent, Jean-Pierre Bernès, came out with news which most fans weren’t expecting.

“There is no agreement finalised, we are studying a proposition from Arsenal who are interested in Samir Nasri, but other offers are parked on my desk” said Bernès, without specifying where the other proposals came from.

Source: Gooner Talk

Based on his comments, obviously Arsenal do have competition in obtaining his signature. The names suggested are Real Madrid and a few English clubs but nothing was confirmed about the names in any source though. These comments too have immediately overruled the suggestions of Nasri completing a medical earlier that day, which was 21 May 2008, and finalizing negotiation of the contract offered by Arsenal. It came to a point that confusion has been caused among Arsenal fans but no confirmation has been made on Arsenal’s side.

On the same day as well, it was also reported that Nasri would participate in the French international squad training in Clairefontaine, France in preparation for Euros 2008. If the deal was not completed on the same day, it would be delayed for the next few weeks. Somehow, French media and newspaper did not give up on the idea of Nasri leaving for Arsenal. The English media such as The Sun though poured cold water on the possible transfer of Nasri to Arsenal by stressing that the deal has hit a snag.

Source: The Sun

Latest

To date, Samir Nasri’s deal hasn’t been concluded and rumours are still circulating on the possible arrival of the Marseille love child to Arsenal. A new suggestion has been touted around the rumour that there is a clause in his contract (with Marseille) that he could only leave Marseille at the end of the French football season.

As Lyon take on Paris Saint Germain in the Coupe De France this Saturday, the football season would only end after the game and thus, it has been suggested on Setanta Sports that the earliest the deal is to be completed would be next week.

Source: Setanta Sports

2. Aaron Ramsey

Next up, we also have a transfer rumour which would possibly occur in the next few weeks.

It has been an open secret that Manchester United and Arsenal have been admirers of the Welsh youngster from Cardiff City. Aaron Ramsey, who can play on either flanks as well as in the middle of the field in terms of attack, has been one of the well-known targets of the transfer tug-of-war between the two English giants.

Reports in the past week have suggested that Manchester United would be the club that Aaron Ramsey might end up at but Young Guns have reported otherwise. Quoting from the Cardiff based newspaper, the South Wales Echo, it claimed that Arsenal will be battling out with Manchester United to obtain the signature of this young Welsh talent.

Based on the article on Young Guns, Arsenal could have an edge over United in pursuit of Aaron Ramsey as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is prepared to put him in the first team to develop and be given chances to start while United would probably loan him back to Cardiff City to aid his development. The option is there for Aaron to decide for his own future though but I guess Walcott’s development at Arsenal MIGHT appeal to the Welsh kid. We’ll have to see what happens next.

Source: Young Guns

Transfer Speculation Round-Up

The last part of the Gooner Talk Transfer Rumour Round-Up would conclude transfer speculations made in different newspapers, websites and possibly blog sites.

1. Sebastien Frey

Fiorentina’s French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey has been linked to Arsenal this time around. The French keeper was rumoured to be on Wenger’s list as Lehmann’s departure from Arsenal might prompt the French tactician to move for 28 year old Frey. Arsenal might face a host of competitors for his signature as Bayern Munich, Barcelona and AC Milan are said to be interested in signing him. His value though makes this rumour a mere speculation as Arsene Wenger rarely spends more than 5 million on a keeper, let alone the rumoured amount of 16 million for Sebastien Frey.

Source: The Guardian

2. Roque Santa Cruz

Next, as rumours regarding the “possible” departure of Emmanuel Adebayor emerged in the English press, a striker known as Roque Santa Cruz has been suggested to be on Wenger’s list. The Blackburn striker, who scored 19 league goals in 37 appearances for the Ewood Park outfit, might be tempted to join Arsenal, as suggested by Times. Note that this transfer rumour appeared as Emmanuel Adebayor is rumoured to be targeted by Barcelona and might leave Arsenal for the Catalan giants. However, this transfer rumour has been shot down as Adebayor has repeatedly reiterated his intentions to stay at Arsenal as he “loves Arsenal”.

Source: The Times

3. Alberto Aquilani

The Aquilani rumour has been reported on Gooner Talk that his agent, Vincenzo Morabito mentioned that Arsenal were in talks with the Roma midfielder. It has been suggested that the Italian midfielder would be one of the candidates to replace Mathieu Flamini. However, his game play does not suggest that. Furthermore, Roma and Aquilani himself have laughed off this rumour as the 23 year old had this to say:

“I can only say that I am flattered,” he told Corriere dello Sport. “I have a deal with Roma until 2010.

“According to speculation I have already gone to two of the three mentioned sides. I am part of Roma and the other sides do not matter. Talk of a move makes no sense.”

Source: Sporting Life

4. Clemente Chantome

Lastly, several French sources claimed that Arsenal are interested in Paris Saint Germain midfielder Clemente Chantome. It is believed that Arsene Wenger has met up with the 20 year old French midfielder and is interested in signing him. Despite the rumour, no quote can be seen in any of the sources reporting on this rumour and thus we’ll have to wait and see.

Source: Daily Mail
That’s all folks for this week. It is beginning to look positive on the transfer front for Arsenal as the Nasri deal might be completed come next week. Hopefully there will be other good news as well for Arsenal during the off season. Till then, see ya next Friday!

Article by Kevlinefm

Tags: arsenal, frey, gooner, gunners, nasri, Ramsey, transfer rumours