End of Arsenal career in sight as Barcelona set to bid €12m for player

So is this the end of Thomas Vermaelen’s career at Arsenal? According to reports in Sky Sports Barcelon are about to make a bid in the range of €12m for the centre back. The Belgium has already entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates and isn’t assured of a starting eleven spot thanks to the partnership of Laurent Kocielny and Per Mertesacker at the heart of the defense.

Barcelona’s needs for a centre back is well documented after their recent summer spending spree, having already signed Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Jeremy Mathieu. New manager Luis Enrique believes his side needs to ably replace Carles Puyol, the Spanish legend who retired earlier this summer and the Blaugrana are hopeful of beating United to Vermaelen's signature.

Earlier Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had hinted that Vermaelen could leave the club, “I am very happy because I did what I wanted and I am still hoping to do more. It is just 1st of August and the transfer window closes on the 31st. It is a long time. We are a bit ahead of what we usually do because the availability on the market was bigger than before."

Vermaelen started just seven Premier League games last season and it seems the player is keen to move on to boost his reputation of a flourishing centre back who rub shoulder with best of opposition in the highest echelons of European football. Barcelona would provide Vermaelen his much wanted game time on the pitch. The Catalan club were previously interested in Liverpool’s Daniel Agger but with roumours with possible deal for the Dane not picking up pace in the past few weeks, the Blaugarana might have decided to go ahead and sign Vermaelen instead. 

It will be interesting to see United go ahead with a bid for the current Arsenal player as the Red Devils have been dealt with a stumbling block in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender and World Champions Mats Hummels. Vermaelen has Premier League experience and moreover would suit in United’s 3-5-2 system under new manager Louis Van Gaal.  

(Picture) Arsenal Youngster Signs A New Contract & Is Delighted About It

Dreams do come true, don’t they? At least for 17 year old Daniel Crowley who has received a perfect birthday gift - his first professional contract with Arsenal, the world can’t be a more happier place. The teenager wasted no time to express his sheer delight taking to his Twitter account posing with his family and agent after confirming his deal with the London club.

Buzzing to have singed my first professional contract,thanks to my family and agent for helping me along the way! pic.twitter.com/jAUtpvaUEH

— Daniel crowley (@danielcrowley24) August 4, 2014

The midfielder turned 17 this past Sunday and perhaps his dream came true as he signed for the Gunners a day later. Crowley joined the London club from Aston Villa in 2013. So far he has featured in the Under-19 UEFA Youth League in which he made three appearances. Crowley had a successful debut season and is likened to Jack Wilshere. His moment to glory came when he scored a brace and provided four assists in the Gunners’ 6-0 victory over Peterborough United in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup. Arsenal fans will certainly expect he turns out to be yet another fantastic acquisition for the future. 

Arsenal to rival Manchester United for World Cup winner

If reports from English tabloid Mirror are to be believed, Arsenal are set to rival Manchester United for the signing of Borussia Dortmund defender and World Cup winner Mats Hummels. The report claims that the player is available for £30m despite Jurgen Klopp’s denials and Arsene Wenger is ready to battle Louis Van Gaal for the signature of the German.

Wenger wants to be kept known about Hummels’ availability as he believes that the 25-year-old would seamlessly fit into his side at the Emirates. The German was also linked with La Liga giants Barcelona but after the Catalan club signed Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia, it is believed that manager Luis Enrique now no longer wants the Dortmund star.

Hummels joined Dortmund in 2009 after coming through the ranks at his childhood club Bayern Munich. The center-back has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best young defenders in the World. His latest exploits in the International stage helped the Die Mannschaft to go on and lift the World Cup in Brazil.

Wenger is believed to be a long term admirer of the player and with Thomas Vermaelen’s future in doubts at the Emirates the French manager is keen to sign another center back as he looks to mount a serious title challenge in the coming 2014-15 season. The Independent has also reported that should Bareclona acquire the services of Tiago Ilori on loan, their interest in Hummels is set to die down. This would enable both Manchester United and Arsenal to compete for the defender.

The Guardian however at the end of July clearly cited Klopp who wasn’t even willing to hear offer his star defender, “I can assure everyone that there are no signs that those two players want to leave. Marco and Mats will play for us the next season. What are we talking about today? Mats to Manchester United? For how much? €20m (£15.8m)? With those kind of sums can you forget that straight away.”

Arsenal manager drops huge hint on £23m rated target

Arsene Wenger dropped a huge hint by smiling at a journalist when asked whether he will pursue the signing of German World Cup winner and Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira. Wenger held a press conference following the Gunners’ ruthless 5-1 win over Portuguese Champions Benfica in the Emirates cup today.

Young French striker Yaya Sanogo scored four goals in the encounter which would certainly give Arsenal fans huge hope ahead of the 2014-15 season. The London club are desperate to mount a Premier League title challenge after their meek surrender last campaign having led the standings for a significant period of time.

Wenger however remained coy over Khedira’s interest.

Here is the full transcript of the press conference:

Journalist: Are you enquiring for Khedira?

Wenger: What is the meaning of enquire for you?

Journalist: On Khedira’s availablity

Wenger: I don’t know. If I read the newspapers, he is available.

Here is the video:

Youtube Video Courtesy: My Football Views – Where everybody has a view

Arsenal and Chelsea boosted as Madrid seeks to find replacement

This would come as a welcome boost for Arsenal and Chelsea. Reports from Spanish newspaper El Confidencial have reported that Champions League winners Real Madrid are on the look put of Wolfsburg’s Brazilian midfielder Luis Gustavo. This comes as a major development and would certainly hint at Sami Khedira’s contract situation at the Bernabeu. Both Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in the Wolf Cup winner but those rumours which had gathered pace in the middle of July broke off after neither of the English giants.

Khedira’s contract at the Spanish capital is set tend in the coming summer and with Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich are also interested the Tunisian born is caught in transfer tussle between three clubs.  The 27-year-old Khedira would be an ideal signing for Arsenal with manager Arsene Wenger fully on the lookout to enhance his squad depth.

So why have Real moved early for Gustavo who did quite a good job for Brazil in the World Cup? There is no doubt that the player acts a true defensive midfielder screening his defense while his passing ability is second to none.  So with Khedira yet to sign a contract extension and the arrival of Toni Kroos at the Galacticos it appears Carlo Ancelotii has the frowns on his forehead and hence wants to sign a replacement before they are out of ‘depth.’ This in a different tilted angle certainly means Khedira’s time is well and truly over at the Spanish giants.

As far as Gustavo is concerned, the 26 year old joined Wolfsburg  at the beginning of the 2013-14 season when he was deemed surplus to requirements  at the Allianz Arena. La Liga winners who have endured a mass exodus of their players already to Chelsea are also contemplating a bid for Gustvao, the Rojiblancos who earlier failed to sign Gustavo as Wolfsburg offered the player a salary of €4.5m per season.  

Arsenal’s needs of a central defensive midfielder are well documented and with the Morgan Schneiderlin rumours dying down over the past weeks, who knows if the Khedira bid could just revive itself before the transfer window slams shut?

PHOTOS: Arsenal's Big Money Signing Training At The London Colney For The First Time

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez trained with his new team mates for the first time on Friday. The £35m rated winger took part in a full session at London Colney ahead of the Emirates Cup, where the Gunners will face Benfica and AS Monaco in their pre season preparations ahead of the brand new 2014-15 season.

PICTURES: Here he is! Check out @Alexis_Sanchez training with @Arsenal for the first time: http://t.co/PG9NkKLtEu pic.twitter.com/Qz0AXdZk7h

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

It  would be interesting to see what role Sanchez is asked to player by manager Arsene Wenger who would well know the Chilean’s knack for goal scoring prowess, the 25-year old scored 47 goals in 141 appearances for Barcelona during his presence at the Catalan outfit.

First pictures Alexis Sanchez in Arsenal training http://t.co/AmpbkIsZCy #afc pic.twitter.com/HbvyIR6Oy5

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 1, 2014

With the plethora of midfielders at his disposal, Wenger would be tempted to play Sanchez in a more advanced role, relieving of his defensive contribution so as to take up his goals coring attributes to take the pressure off Olivier Giroud up front.

PICTURES: Here he is! Check out @Alexis_Sanchez training with @Arsenal for the first time: http://t.co/PG9NkKLtEu pic.twitter.com/Qz0AXdZk7h

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

Sanchez as it appears looks in fantastic shape and will look to gel well with his team mates at London, hoping to strike a cordial bond as soon as the season kicks off where Arsenal will look to mount a serious Premier League title challenge. 

Colombian sensation headed to London airport ahead of Arsenal move

Reports in Portuguese newspaper O Jogo has claimed that Arsenal are preparing a deal close to €20m for the signing of Porto’s Colombian playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero from Porto. English tabloid Metro has however taken the story to a different level altogether saying that the 21 year old is set to fly to London ahead of the move which they expect to be completed by Monday. The report has been based around respected journalist Diego Rueda who took to Twitter saying that Quintero is headed to London.

Rory Smith of the Times too tweeted that the Colombian is in the process of potentially becoming the Gunners’ fifth signing of the summer. The youngster first footsteps in Europe was during a loan spell at then Serie A side Pescara but Porto later bought the player and it was reported that the player would have a €40m transfer release clause. Though is confusion over the price tag, Arsenal’s €20m offer certainly shows that the London club mean business ahead of the 2014-15 season as they realistically want to mount a strong Premier League title challenge.

The attacking playmaker likened to James Rodriguez scored a goal in the World Cup against Ivory Coast sealed the South Americans’ passage through to the round of sixteen. However the player caught the eye when he smacked inthree goals in four appearances in Under-20 World Cup in Turkey which fuelled his senior debut against Cameroon in 2012.  

Quintero would seamlessly fit into Arsenal’s free flowing passing style and with reports that Santi Cazorla attracting interest from Atletico Madrid, the youngster would be a superb long term option. The question however is can Wenger fit him into the starting eleven immediately after having rejected the chance to sign Cesc Fabregas back from Barcelona, the Spaniard who later joined Chelsea. 

Quintero can also play the number ten role to utmost perfection thanks to his dazzling ability on the ball and the ease at which he gets past defenders. Moreover with Arsenal desperate to sign a quality striker the Colombian can also take up the mantle to support Giroud up front. 

5 World Cup Stars, Who Might Be Heading For The Premier League

A busy summer of transfer dealing always follows a major tournament and already in 2014, we’ve seen Enner Valencia, Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina complete moves to the Premier League. But who will follow them? Here are five players who could switch to the Premiership after starring roles at the World Cup.

Mats Hummels

Manchester United are third favourites at 6.00 with Betfair to win the Premier League this season and manager Louis Van Gaal is linked with the majority of available talent in the wake of Brazil 2014.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic having left the club, there is a serious need for a replacement centre half and German World Cup Winner Hummels is believed to be a long term target. The 25 year old defender was a solid performer at the back for Germany while scoring two vital goals along the way to the final but it’s felt that Barcelona may prove to be a bigger draw for the Borussia Dortmund star.

Divock Origi

19 year old Lille striker Origi attracted media attention when he replaced Romelu Lukaku to score Belgium’s only goal in their group stage win against the Russians. Almost as soon as the ball hit the back of the net, Liverpool and Spurs were linked with the player’s signature but having lost out on Loic Remy, it’s expected that Brendan Rodger’s side will now complete the purchase.

Origi was described as a teenage scoring sensation by one area of the press but his overall record in France suggests there is work to be done if he is to become an Anfield regular. In 40 games for Lille, he has found the net on just six occasions and while he often plays on the wing in Ligue 1, that’s a record that needs improvement.

Islam Slimani

Algerian forward Slimani may have the record for having the highest number of links to Premiership sides this summer. Stoke City, West Ham, Newcastle, Everton and Crystal Palace are just five of the names mentioned in connection with a signature but any move has stalled amidst reports that current club Sporting Lisbon are holding out for a fee of £10m.

Slimani was one of the stars of a positive World Cup for the Algerians and his two goals sparked the interest. £10m may be seen as too much for a man who has scored eight goals in 26 league games in Portugal but expect further negotiations ahead of the new campaign.

Memphis Depay

20 year old PSV winger Depay scored twice for the Netherlands in Brazil and his pace would be an undoubted asset for any Premier League side. Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked but according to some areas of the press, Spurs are the front runners in this particular chase.

If Depay does travel to White Hart Lane, he will face competition from Andros Townsend and Nacer Chadli so overall, Old Trafford seems a more likely destination.

Arturo Vidal

Once again, it’s Manchester United leading the way in the chase for Vidal who featured for Chile in Brazil. Louis Van Gaal will, however, face competition from Liverpool and possibly Chelsea so it’s a question of whether the 27 year old will sacrifice Champions League football this season in the hope that United will be challenging for the Premier League title once again.

Current club Juventus were said to be demanding in excess of £40m for the playmaker but the key to the deal could be Manchester United’s Nani who may head to Turin as part of the overall fee.

La Liga Champions Atlético Madrid Interested In Arsenal Duo

Arsenal look to set to lose out on Spanish duo Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal to Atlético Madrid as reports in Spain are suggesting that the Spanish champions are preparing a double swoop for them. With both players currently on the fringes of the first-team, it is likely to be a move that benefits both clubs and the players as well.

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Arsenal Miss Out On Leyton Orient Youngster - Why They Should Have Signed Him

Moses Odubajo is a player that is probably unknown to most Arsenal fans, despite being a reported target of both the Gunners and Tottenham. He eventually signed for Brentford in the Championship just before the sale of Leyton Orient to Italian business man Francesco Becchetti. This is thought to have influenced the transfer of Odubajo, as ex-chairman Barry Hearn wanted his last bit of cash before leaving the O’s and he couldn’t wait for Tottenham or Arsenal to make their minds up regarding whether or not they wanted to buy him.

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Wenger Admits Uncertainty About Vermaelen - Why Gunners Captain Could Be Set For Exit

In a recent press conference, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he is unsure if Thomas Vermaelen will be at the club for the new season. Sky Sports have linked the player with a move away from the Emirates Stadium.

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Gunners Star Talked About For The Wrong Reasons - Why Jack Wilshere Can Make It At Arsenal

Once every so often you get a talent that comes a long and everyone is very excited, especially after that first performance. It all starts when positive vibes are felt by coaches at the club, then by the manager and then the players begin to comment on the player. Former legends also begin to have their say and suddenly you have national newspapers claiming he's the next Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Carl Jenkinson Eyes Regular Gametime - What Potential Arrival Of La Liga Youngster Could Mean For Arsenal Full-Back

Arsenal have already announced the signing of Alexis Sanchez, making it the one of the best ever starts to a summer for the Gunners in my opinion. It must be nice for fans of the North London club to see them competing with big teams and making a mega-money move for someone who starred at the World Cup and for Barcelona last season. It is very unusual for the Gunners to make a signing like this. However, it could be argued that Sanchez isn't a player that Arsenal particularly need.

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Gunners Eye Khedira - Why Real Madrid Midfielder Be A Good Addition For Arsenal

According to the Mirror, Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira has all but completed his move to Arsenal. This comes days after the Gunners  signed Chile international Alexis Sanchez. With Khedira being a younger option, could this spell the end of veteran Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal career?

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Gunners Consider Ospina - Why Colombia Star Would Be A Great Signing For Arsenal

There is global misery now that the World Cup has ended. A constant flow of football was great, but we now have to wait over a month for the Premier League to return. However, clubs know that the transfer market will go into overdrive and they will now have to move very fast in order to land the players that they want.

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