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. 

Liverpool Linked With Yet Another Southampton Star - How The Reds Could Continue Their Recruitment Of Saints Players

Not for quite some time has one side been targeted so much during a transfer window.  This summer has seen Southampton lose their manager and several of their key players, with most of them interestingly all heading to the same club.  Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and now Dejan Lovren have joined Liverpool, whilst Calum Chambers, touted as a star of the future, has moved to Arsenal.  French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has attracted the interest of several sides, but the latest name to be linked with a transfer is that of arguably the most important player they have left.

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Problems Arise With Remy's Liverpool Medical - Why Brendan Rodgers' Side Have Missed Out On A Proven Goalscorer

With the completion of his move to Liverpool seemingly imminent, Loic Remy’s future has taken a drastic turn.  According to the Telegraph, a failed medical has dashed the striker’s hopes of joining the Reds this summer.

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Reds Make Move For Young Right-Back - Why The Player Still Has A Lot To Prove

Mostly linked with Southampton players this summer having already signed Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana, Liverpool are reportedly set to look away from the south-coast club for one of their next moves.  According to the Guardian, Atletico Madrid’s Javier Manquillo is a target of Brendan Rodgers as he attempts to address his side’s defensive problems.

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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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Blues Looking Strong Ahead Of Upcoming Premier League Campaign - Why Chelsea Are The Team To Beat Next Season

With some major signings this transfer window, including the likes of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona and Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid, the Chelsea squad is looking stronger than ever. They could be a real force in the coming season.

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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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Drogba Set For Chelsea Return - Why The Striker Could Struggle To Better His Last Game For The Blues

Players come and go in football.  Sometimes they even come back.  Returns can be low-key, especially if it is just a former right-back rejoining to provide a bit of cover.  A club being reunited with a striker who scored 157 goals for them, however, is a completely different story.  Chelsea are the lucky side to be linked with such a real-life fairy tale.

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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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