Arsenal FC may gun for Macho

Arsene Wenger recently confessed to having visited the recent friendly game between Austria and France with the view to assessing some of the players on show. What would come as a surprise to many, was his main objective, Austrian goalie Jurgen Macho. As Arsenal are currently in the market for a goalkeeper they have been linked with everybody from Craig Gordon to Igor Akinfeev, one name that certainly wasn't being banded about was Jurgen Macho! It is certainly in the nature of Wenger's signings to go for talent and skill over hype, but a move for the second division Bundesliga goalkeeper would leave many fans a little puzzled.

On Macho, Arsene Wenger was enigmatic as ever:

"My scouts have been impressed by Macho, so I wanted to see him play,"

Arsenal fans may remember the goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet against Arsenal on his Sunderland debut in 2000. He subsequently spent a season as back-up at Chelsea, but suffered a cruciate ligament injury.

He joined Kaiserslautern in 2005 and is under contract for a further year as the club chase a return to Germany's top flight.

The Midfield Quandary

This is an interesting problem. Arsenal have players who undoubted fixtures like Fabregas and Gilberto. Players like (Diaby, Denilson, Rosicky) who are clearly going to play a big part in the midfield of any future Arsenal team. Then there are players hovering on the edge of the team (Freddy, Flamini and Hleb (although I tentatively include Hleb in this category, as I personally rate him)). Out of all this abundant talent is there a title wining midfield...Err, well No. There's still one ingredient missing, which many have noted, and this is a free scoring midfielder in the mould a young Ljungburg or Pires.



This leads me onto three new rumours, the first is Gilberto's reputed interested in joining up with his old foil Vieira in the Juventus midfield (Well Gilberto clearly realises his value and wants more than a 12 month extension on his contract), I wouldn't read too much into this, with the club's policy on players over 30 this is starting to sound like contract negotiation SOP. However with the emergence of Denilson and Diaby, Gilberto he must surely be looking over his shoulder (...and hopefully not to a role in central-defence).



The other two bits of gossip include the fortnightly speculated destination of Frank Ribery and the possible arrival of Florent Malouda arrival Arsenal. The second of which struck a chord with me. Malouda has enjoyed a lot of success with Lyon and is perhaps similar in dynamism to Rosicky but offers more of a goal threat. It will be interesting to see whether there is truth in this over the next few months, as I definitely see him as someone who fits the 'Wenger-otype' player - Atheletic, dynamic and offensive.

When asked his thought on Arsenal:

"Juventus and Arsenal? These are exciting clubs because they have a past and a culture of their own, but there is nothing concrete with those clubs.

"It is possible they are following me, but since I play in the UEFA Champions League I know a lot of clubs are following me.

Malouda also played down talk of a possible link with Chelsea, explaining that he was unsure which direction the club was heading in.

"Could my friend Didier Drogba attract me to Chelsea? There are a lot of uncertainties there," he said.

"Today can you say Mourinho will still be their coach next term?"

Wenger closes in on Klose

After the World Cup last year Jens Lehmann prompted Wenger to seriously look at the possibility of signing Miroslav Klose, who had recently had a very successful campaign with Germany.

Arsene Wenger is said to be making a 5M summer raid for Miroslav Klose should his ongoing contract talks with Werder Bremen break down. The 28 year old German striker's current contract with expires in 2008 and would be represent great value for the gunners. It is said the although Bayen Munich are also keen on the striker, Bremen would rather sell him to a foreign club than loose him to their bitter rivals. Manchester United and the ever-present Tottenham are also reported to be monitoring the situation which would leave Arsenal in a tug-of-war the hitman's services.

In other news Tomas Rosicky is a 10M target for Inter Milan and Arsenal May move for ex-Evertonian loanee Matteo Ferrari (currently at Roma).

Haavard Nordtveit ponders his options

In other news this week it has emerged that Arsene Wenger is trying to seal a bid for the Norwegian starlet Haavard Nordveit. Having recently signed Liverpool target Gilles Sunu Nordveit could be nicked from under the noses of his other serious suitors Manchester United.

Nordtveit has already trained with Manchester United and his current club FC Haugesund rejected a bid from the Premiership leaders last November.

Tottenham Hotspur and Bordeaux are also rumoured to be keen on the teenage centre-half, who is among Norway's brightest talents.

The latest reports in Scandinavia claim Arsenal are now checking up on Nordtveit, with a view to possibly joining up with Arsene Wenger's young squad at Emirates Stadium.

The 16-year-old is aware of the interest, but admits he is looking to put the prospect of a move abroad to the back of his mind.

"I have noticed that some big clubs have shown interest," Nordtveit told TV2.

"But I am trying to keep my feet on the ground and focus on FKH."

Sweden first team practised at Arsenal’s training ground over the weekend following a recommendation from Freddie Ljungberg. Ljungberg's recommendations will not have gone unoticed by Haavard as he spys a possible place in the glittering youth team being built at the Emirates.
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Herr Lehmann's Heir

Jens Lehmann exit from Arsenal looks more likely having apparently left the decision of signing his contract to his wife. A move which will hardly bolster confidence in his desire to stay on at the club. With Almunia impressing in short spells in the cup run a backup option is now almost a certainty.

Akinfeev being the darkhorse, but most pundits are backing a summer move for the highly rated Hearts goalie Craig Gordon. Gordon's future at Hearts is in doubt after he publicly criticised the club and his team-mates after last week's 4-0 SPL defeat by Dundee United.

The Scotland number one was the subject of strong interest from Fulham and Bayern Munich in January, and has recently been linked with Arsenal.

And Alexander, Gordon's understudy for the Euro 2008 double-header against Georgia and Italy, believes the Hearts shot-stopper will easily find a top club in England if he leaves Tynecastle.

"I am definitely surprised that an English club hasn't came in for Craig yet," said Alexander.

"He has got the potential to play at the highest level in England and I think it's only be a matter of time until he does.

Sunu deal confirmed

Now Sunu has turned 16, it has been confirmed that the French youth international will continue his footballing education under Arsene Wenger in North London after the two clubs came to an agreement.

Arsenal are believed to being paying between €1-4million (£680,000-£2.71million) for the teenager who is hoping to become the latest French starlet to shine for The Gunners.

Sunu will move to England in July and is expected to put pen-to-paper on the four-year deal when Chateauroux president Michel Denisot meets Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein in April to finally ratify the deal.

Wenger already has a fine selection of youngsters at his disposal in North London, and the capture of Sunu demonstrates his focus on youth recruitment shows no sign of slowing. (Source: SSN)

Poachers admire Denilson from afar

Arsenal having recently signed a number of talented youngsters from the big clubs are now onto the hard part - stopping others from doing the same. Denilson-Fabregas and Diaby are looking like an outstanding midfield of the future, if a little lightweight. A friend mentioned to me that Bayen and Barcelona were certainly interested in poaching the newly discovered Brazillian talent Denilson, however such is Arsene Wenger's admiration of the youngster that it is inconceivable the Brazilian moving for anything less than a massive offer.

Craig Gordon eyes up North London

Craig Gordon has admitted that 'any player' would be interested in joining Arsenal, although the Hearts goalkeeper has attempted to play down talk of a possible summer move to the Premiership.

"It is one of the top teams in Britain, in Europe, if not the world so it is something that would definitely interest any player," Gordon told Sky Sports News.

"As far as I am concerned it's not in a transfer window and I am concentrating playing here for Hearts and helping Scotland remain top of their European group."

(Source: Sky News)

One year Lehmann deal tabled

Having previously stalled on contract talks, Arsenal and Jens Lehmann are finally said to be making progress on the one year deal tabled some months ago. The German No.1 was said to be considering a move to either Villa Real or back to the Bundesliga. However with Arsenal linked with several younger goalies (Akinfeev, Gordon and Boruc) in recent months, it now appears the Arsene's preference may be to keep Lehmann untill a replacement is made for Lehmann and or Almunia.

Arsène Wenger expects Jens Lehmann to be an Arsenal player next season. The 37-year-old keeper’s contract runs out in the summer and, as with every player over 30, Wenger has only put a one-year deal on the table. Negotiations are ongoing but the German No 1 could be staying.

“Yes, I expect him to be here,” said Wenger. “But we have not gone into deeper discussions yet.”

(Source: Arsenal.com)

A Brazilian Conundrum?

Arsene Wenger is reportedly keen to sign Julio Baptista for a fee of 8Million (BBC news), however other reports suggest that Gilberto could be moving on for a similar fee.

With the likes of central midfielders Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby and Denilson likely to be pushing for the first team next season, could Gilberto be on his way? The possibility of Gilberto being sold also strengthened by his change of position from center-midfield to cover in defence (which he generally did admirably).

Wenger will be wary of selling his older players, the squad having suffered in the last few years from the loss of Vieira, Edu, Lauren, Campbell. Given the lack of experienced players in the squad and the glaring failure to win silverware, selling Gilberto might be though by some as a suicidal move - especially given he is captain in absence of injured Thierry Henry.

20 Million Wenger warchest

Arsene Wenger will been given £20m to strengthen his squad in the summer despite his team's early exit from the Champions League.

The Gunners having bowed out of Europe in midweek as they lost their last 16 clash 2-1 on aggregate to PSV Eindhoven.

Managing director Keith Edelman had hoped Arsenal would reach the Champions League final for a second year in succession, but he maintains the club's financial plan had accounted for an earlier defeat.

"It will not affect the manager's budget at all. It certainly will not mean it will be cut in any way," Edelman confirmed.

Arsene Wenger's shopping list is likely to include an experienced player in the defensive and forward roles to bolster the team of youthful talent.

Wenger maintains he is only looking to make a couple of new acquisitions, and only if the right players become available.

"Maybe one or two maximum - and only super, super class because we have what is needed," he explained. If someone is available I would always try to improve my team - but the basis is inside the club."

Wenger also believes Arsenal's troubled campaign will stand his current squad in good stead.

He commented:

"Maybe in the future we will look back at this season and think that is where we built a real team for the future. That is what I hope.

You judge a potential of a real team by looking at what they do in the big games - and until February we never under-performed in the big games. We beat Manchester United twice, we beat Liverpool three times and we have drawn with Chelsea in the Premiership."

Lester Peltier earns trial at Arsenal

Trinidad and Tobago striker Lester Peltier has earned a trial with the gunners.

The 18-year-old, who has already spent time with Millwall and Cardiff since arriving in England, began training with The Gunners' academy on Thursday.

Although Cardiff had been determined to keep the youngster from San Juan Jabloteh during his first trial and have invited him back for a second look next week.

Peltier could be granted a EU passport and qualify to play in the premiership directly through his Dutch grandmother.

Merida pens four year deal

After the gloom of another champions league exit, a brighter spark is the signing of 17 year old Spanish midfielder Fran Merida Perez on a 4 year professional contract (Source: The Independant).

Other rumours suggest that Eric Abidal of Lyon & France is considering a move to Arsenal or Barcelona. However given the cover at left back it is unlikely that this would be considered. (Source BBC)

Adebayor wants new contract

Emmanuel Adebayor wants to discuss a new contract at Arsenal after claiming he is aware of interest from Manchester United.

The Togo striker joined The Gunners from Monaco just over 12 months ago, but is keen to be rewarded with improved terms.

Several weeks ago it was revealed that Adebayor was in line for a new deal as boss Arsene Wenger wanted to stave off interest from United.

The 23-year-old striker said: "My agent has told me both Manchester United and Valencia are following me.

"But I am not getting carried away with that, even if they're two massive clubs.

"I am doing well at Arsenal, but they have to show me they want to construct something with regard to my new status in the team."

Adebayor's salary is one of the lowest at Arsenal — as low as £14,000 a week, almost ten times below that of Thierry Henry. Given performances this season it is anticipated a new improved contract is a certainty.