Filed under: Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Tottenham, Champions League, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
Suddenly, several weeks after Manchester United completed a series of headline-making deals, Arsenal appear set to do the same and bring their own pre-season preparations alive. Though a £15 million arrangement to sign Juan Mata from Valencia will give Barcelona added conviction that Cesc Fabregas will soon be theirs, news that Chris Samba of Blackburn is stepping up his own efforts to become a Gunner is welcome news for those of an Emirates Stadium persuasion who have been demanding a big, no nonsense centre half for a number of seasons.
And not just one either as Arsene Wenger is understood to be willing to lodge an improved offer with Everton for England international Phil Jagielka. Other deals may well be in the pipeline but it these three that could shape the Gunners' season.
Samba, the Rovers captain, has made it clear in no uncertain terms that he wants to leave Lancashire despite signing a five-year contract with Blackburn last season.
"I want to play Champions League football. Which player doesn't dream of that?" the Frenchman was quoted in The Sun. "A player who has no ambition to play at a higher level has made a mistake and chosen the wrong sport.
"I don't know what is happening with Arsenal because I am not dealing with it and it's not my problem. At the minute I am still at Blackburn but it would be a big lie if I told you 'everything is good and I don't want to play in the Champions League'.
"I don't know what the board and the manager at Blackburn are planning or what provisions they have made for signing new players. It is difficult for me at the moment because I'm just waiting to see what happens and concentrating on my preparation for the new season."
Samba's problem is that though he has been on Wenger's radar for a while no bid has yet come in. Arsenal have already seen a £10 million offer for Jagielka rejected, which was £2 million short of the price they were prepared to pay a year ago, leaving the Gunners open to accusations that they were guilty of the same penny-pinching tactic that Barca have so far been using over Fabregas, who remains absent with a hamstring injury and will not play in the Emirates Cup at the weekend.
A £15 million follow up would prgress the Jagielka deal but with Wenger you just know how much parting with such a sum pains him. Nevertheless, it has been reported that Mata's family and representatives are already in London and Valencia have admitted they may soon be reluctantly letting the winger go.
Tottenham are keen on signing him as well and are interested in Samba too but Arsenal have the advantage of being able to promise Champions League football and should therefore be able to see off their neighbours on both fronts.
At last, the talk at Arsenal is about buying rather than selling and for many not before time.
"I want to play Champions League football. Which player doesn't dream of that?" the Frenchman was quoted in The Sun. "A player who has no ambition to play at a higher level has made a mistake and chosen the wrong sport.
"I don't know what is happening with Arsenal because I am not dealing with it and it's not my problem. At the minute I am still at Blackburn but it would be a big lie if I told you 'everything is good and I don't want to play in the Champions League'.
"I don't know what the board and the manager at Blackburn are planning or what provisions they have made for signing new players. It is difficult for me at the moment because I'm just waiting to see what happens and concentrating on my preparation for the new season."
Samba's problem is that though he has been on Wenger's radar for a while no bid has yet come in. Arsenal have already seen a £10 million offer for Jagielka rejected, which was £2 million short of the price they were prepared to pay a year ago, leaving the Gunners open to accusations that they were guilty of the same penny-pinching tactic that Barca have so far been using over Fabregas, who remains absent with a hamstring injury and will not play in the Emirates Cup at the weekend.
A £15 million follow up would prgress the Jagielka deal but with Wenger you just know how much parting with such a sum pains him. Nevertheless, it has been reported that Mata's family and representatives are already in London and Valencia have admitted they may soon be reluctantly letting the winger go.
Tottenham are keen on signing him as well and are interested in Samba too but Arsenal have the advantage of being able to promise Champions League football and should therefore be able to see off their neighbours on both fronts.
At last, the talk at Arsenal is about buying rather than selling and for many not before time.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/07/28/arsenals-rebuilding-efforts-are-gathering-pace-at-long-last/
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