Wenger Needs A Big Signing

As Arsenal struggle to keep hold of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the club also faces losing out on potential transfer targets, with the latest £10 million bid for Everton's Phil Jagielka being turned down and the young Costa Rican striker, Joel Campbell putting a move to Arsenal on hold.

Gael Clichy has already left the Arsenal door, and slammed it in Wenger's face on the way out by claiming he left so he would have more chance of winning a trophy with Manchester City. It may be considered as a low blow. It may also be considered as the truth; Arsenal's title winning chances have been fading for a while.

In the past six years, the club has no silverware to it's name and has instead come only excruciatingly close. That isn't what players want. Nowadays, football players, especially in their mid twenties, or approaching that age who are ambitious and know that time may not be all on their side, need immediate success. They need to be winning games and winning trophies, as a footballing career, on average, is not very long.

The likes of Manchester United and Manchester City are spending big this summer, and they are able to attract the best players through a few reasons in which Arsenal simply cannot or will not compete in.

First of all, a bigger wage is always more attractive to a footballer. As Arsenal offer Nasri a £115,000 per week deal which would make him their highest earner, Manchester City have offered the same player £45,000 more, and he still wouldn't be close to City's highest weekly wage packet.

However, money is only one small feature of the attraction at clubs like United, City and Chelsea who are willing to pay large sums that Arsenal are not. The main attraction is surely the potential to win trophies and the top class players already at the club who can help achieve that. Arsenal currently face letting their best players go - what message does that send to players subject of interest from Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger must change that view. He must move in the transfer window to bring in a player who can not only help to win trophies at Arsenal, and make the team all around more clinical, but who also has the star attraction for other footballer.

Manchester United have Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Ferdinand, Vidic - all players who are known throughout the world, who many younger players look up to and aspire to be like on the pitch. Even City have their fair share through Yaya Toure and David Silva, and apart from the anomaly Carlos Tevez, who wants to move to a new club every two seasons, the players want to stay as they have a good chance of success.

I believe one big signing for Arsenal could do wonders for the morale of both the team and the fans. It would take pressure off of Wenger, and allow him to continue his job without calls for him to spend a lot of money. If Wenger can get the trouble positions sorted, a big signing of a big player, world renowned would certainly refresh Arsenal's world wide popularity, and perhaps they can look forward to bringing more of the same in, rather than see them leave looking for success.

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Wenger In £27m Benzema Bid as Nasri "Demands" United Sale

It has been an unusually busy transfer window for Arsenal this summer, and there has already been sales and purchases occurring at the Emirates where Arsene Wenger is apparently busy on the phone sorting out various deals to improve his Arsenal side, while battling to keep the current team together.

Gervinho is extremely close to completing his £10 million move to Arsenal after undergoing and completing a medical yesterday, while Gael Clichy has already signed for Manchester City. Two other rather large and repetitive transfer saga's are ongoing - Cesc Fabregas's proposed move to Barcelona, and Samir Nasri's apparent imminent departure looks more and more likely by the day to either Manchester United or Manchester City.

But there is more. With Nicklas Bendtner looking for any club who would be willing to have him, Arsenal will be looking for attacking reinforcements, and the Daily Mail report today that Arsene Wenger will make a multi-million pound move, using the money from the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

According to the reports, despite Gervinho's passed medical and soon to be announced signing, Arsenal are keen to add to their attacking options, with Robin van Persie often picking up difficult and irritating injuries. This move for Benzema may also put a stop to the rumours that van Persie is considering his future because of the lack of incoming top class talent.

The £27 million purchase of Benzema would be far and away Arsenal's record signing, but it would still be less than the £31 million which Real Madrid paid Lyon back in 2009. Whether or not the Spanish giants would accept a lower sum than they paid for the player, who scored 26 goals and assisted 9 last season is questionable - as is whether the 23 year-old Frenchman would be willing to leave Madrid for London - especially to an Arsenal side without a trophy in six years.

Meanwhile, on the departure front - a rather less uplifting topic for Arsenal fans - and the Telegraph claim that Samir Nasri will "demand" he be transferred to Manchester United now that a bid has been officially lodged by the club for £20 million.

The paper claims that Manchester United remain in pole position in the race to sign the Arsenal midfielder despite the interest from City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter and AC Milan. United's £20 million written bid for Nasri was made a fortnight ago, but Arsenal are yet to respond, with it understood that Wenger is understandably very reluctant to sell to the clubs Premier League rivals, and will make any deal for Nasri as difficult as possible.

Arsenal however look likely to have to sell Nasri to someone very soon, or they risk losing him in 12 months time for free as his contract runs out, as the 24 year-old Frenchman has indicated that he will not be renewing his Arsenal contract. Nasri's current contract sees him paid £55,000 per week, while Arsenal are reportedly offering him an increase which would see his weekly salary jump to £90,000. However, Nasri is holding out for around £115,000 and an offer from a club who are competing for trophies.

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Walcott: Benzema Signing Would be Good - Wenger Knows

While Arsenal prepare for their busy summer, Theo Walcott discussed the possibility of some new additions to the Arsenal side. With Wenger open about the prospect of a summer which involves more transfer activity than usual, naturally, there are more rumours to contend with, one of which is Arsenal's link to Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

Wenger has already expressed his interest in Benzema, but the young French striker is unlikely to be looking for a move away from Spain after his successful second season under Jose Mourinho in which he scored 26 goals in all competitions and assisted 9Not only that, but Benzema, who has a long term contract with Madrid would cost Arsenal and Wenger a lot of money - money that, although Wenger probably has, would not be willing to spend. Walcott has heard about these rumours:

"Its always nice to see new additions to the squad but maybe one player will attract more players and keep players." 

"I've heard rumours of Karim Benzema at Real Madrid. Someone like that would help you hold on to your best players, get the crowd on their feet as well."

Meanwhile, as his manager comes under increasing pressure to bring big names to the club, the 23 year-old English winger was quick to defend his transfer policy and past record in the market, citing Thomas Vermaelen as a fantastic signing. It is true, Arsenal missed the Belgian centre back hugely over the season, and will gain a lot of confidence at the back thanks to his recovery and place back in the side. Walcott said:

"The manager knows what he's doing, it's up to him. He brought in Thomas Vermaelen and we've missed him because he's a great signing."

"The boss knows what he's doing and he says he is going to spend so it will be interesting."

Interesting it will be, but it will also be disappointing if Wenger fails to live up to the expectations he gave the Arsenal fans when he said  there would be a busy summer. Arsenal fans want to see some experience, some solidity, some more quality in their team that was lacking in much of this last season where they ended up withering away and finishing in a poor, poor, fourth place for Arsenal's standards.

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Arsenal "Willing to hit the £26m Clause" for Falcao

Arsene Wenger seems to be backing up the claim that Arsenal will be having a busier than usual transfer summer, or "very active" as the Arsenal manager put it. They have already been linked to Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, and now it is Radamel Falcao of FC Porto. 

The Colombian striker has been in top form for Porto this season, scoring a fantastic total of 39 in 41 games, with 16 coming in the League and 17 coming in the Europa League in which Porto successfully won. His agent has confirmed that this form is attracting real interest from the Premier League. Claudio Mossi said:

"England are crazy about Falcao. Among the leading candidates are Arsenal and Tottenham. They are willing to hit the €30 million clause. The figure is not an extraordinary value for them."

Falcao has said that he is happy at Porto after their Europa League win, saying that he intended to see out his two year contract at Porto despite all of the rumours linking him away from the Portuguese club. He said he was happy and the club wanted him to stay - so there was no reason for him to go, but among fresh interest from top English clubs, such as Arsenal and Tottenham may leave him no choice with that release clause.

The main reason for him staying in Portugal was the fact that he will be playing Champions League football next season, so if he were to move clubs, they would need the European perk. Tottenham missed out to City, while Arsenal have a place, but they must qualify first, finishing in a disappointing League position of fourth. 

The young Porto coach André Villas Boas, has paired Falcao with the Brazil striker Hulk this term and the move has paid off, with the duo scoring a remarkable 72 goals between them. Hulk himself has been linked with a move away to England with Manchester United and City but it seems doubtful that Porto would allow their two best players to leave, especially when they are now in the Champions League.

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Wenger Makes Progress With Benzema

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may finally make that big name signing that many have been crying for for a while. He has already confirmed that Arsenal will be having a far busier summer than usual in the transfer market, but now he has, somewhat uncharacteristically, gone ahead and named the player he wants.

Karim Benzema is that player, a player who is owned by Real Madrid and who was bought in 2009 for €35 million.

If Wenger can somehow persuade Madrid to let go of Benzema, Arsenal fans would surely be appeased for the time being. Wenger said:

"Viewed from the outside, signing him does not seem impossible. He's a player that I like." 

"He's intelligent in his movement, he is capable of combining well with others and making a difference, and of doing individual moves as well." 

"So, for me, he's a player who's at the top level in the world."

Benzema has scored 26 and assisted 9 goals in 48 appearances for Madrid this season and has settled down well after a poor first season in front of goal at the Bernabeu.

Consider Arsenal's current crop of players and how much they cost Wenger, and you would be impressed. Robin van Persie cost as little as £2.75 million from Feyenoord in 2004 which was a fantastic deal in hindsight, taking into account the 95 goals and 53 assists he has collected in just 230 appearances for Arsenal.

Samir Nasri was also a bargain in today's market, with Arsene grabbing him from Marseille for only around £12 million while Tomas Rosicky cost Arsenal a reported £7 million from Burussia Dortmund in 2006 when he had cost Dortmund a Bundesliga record of £18 million five years earlier.

What I am trying to say is, although Wenger has been criticised many a time in the past for his reluctance to spend, it is often because he has a knack of grabbing very good players on the cheap. Of course, he has let a few key players slip through his fingers because of this policy, but it seems with the confirmation of the Benzema interest, he is making some progress in the transfer market - something that can only be pleasing for Arsenal fans.

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Arsenal In £50 Million Summer Spending Spree

Plagued with injuries throughout the season to the extent that a new/old goalkeeper had to be brought in for back up, as well as being tormented with off form players slipping up a crucial times in massive matches, and Arsene Wenger is understandably frustrated. He must be wondering what he has done wrong to deserve the punishment of seeing his loyal but exhausted players suffer in this way. It isn't all bad when you consider Arsenal's position in the table - three points behind the leaders with a game in hand - but this season could have been about so much more than just the Premier League crown.

It is perhaps no wonder then, that Arsenal are being linked to two big money players to boost the squad this summer - give it some well needed depth, diversity and energy. These two players are Bolton's Gary Cahill and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema. I honestly cannot see it myself. It isn't that the two players wouldn't fit into the squad; Cahill, a strong, reliable, often goal scoring centre back would be welcomed in the beleaguered defence, while Benzema will have no shortage of fellow countrymen to communicate with (not to mention being a top class front man).  The rumours really get unbelievable when the price is quoted.

Cahill and Benzema are being valued at £25 million by the news sources. That's £25 million each. Probably around £40 million more than Wenger would dream of spending. His cautious, low profile approach to the transfer market has caused plenty of frustration among even patient supporters, as they await their first trophy for six years. It may yet come this year, but it will undoubtedly be very close, and with all of the teams around them certain to improve their squads in the summer, Arsenal do not want to be left behind at the start of next season in a year which looks to be even more competitive and tight than even this year has been so far.

Manchester United are apparently Arsenal's competition for the 25 year-old Cahill. United have seen a Vidic - Smalling partnership blossom in the absence of the seemingly always injured Rio Ferdinand, and if Ferdinand ever does receive further injures which is highly likely, United will need a top quality replacement. There have also been unsettling murmurings of Vidic's future as a United player as his wife apparently doesn't like it in Manchester. The Wes Brown - Chris Smalling defensive partnership has been poor so far, and Sir Alex will look for a new defender to banish any defensive worries in the future.


A bidding war is something neither side would want however, with Arsenal's reluctance to spend, and United's crushing debts reducing the possibility of big money signings.
The website states;

"The Trotters [Bolton] are bracing themselves for bids in the summer, and both Arsenal and Manchester United are expected to come to the table at some point with an offer for the England international.

Chelsea are also thought to be keen on landing the player, with the west London outfit also interested in the 25-year-old former Aston Villa defender.

Arsenal are still thought to be favourites though, although the Gunners will have to fight hard to see off Manchester United if these claims are to be believed."

Meanwhile, Wenger is supposedly a "big fan" of Benzema who was bought by Madrid from Lyon for £35 million two seasons ago. It is easy to see why, as Benzema has masses of exactly what Wenger is always looking for, craving for, searching for: "potential".

17 goals in 52 appearances this season isn't to impressive, but his previous form is far more impressive, with one season amassing 20 goals in just 36 appearances. A partnership of van Persie and Benzema would also be a vast improvement to what they have at the moment, and would add he depth up front which has been lacking.

Sir Alex Ferguson had tried to bring Benzema to United before he joined Madrid, but I doubt he would be after him again after being turned down already.

Arsenal the Latest Club to be Linked to Benzema

Karim Benzema has hardly set La Liga on fire since his £35 million 2009 move to Real Madrid. Players like Ronaldo and Higuain have been the main starters up front for the Spanish club, and the Frenchman has naturally been linked to a move away from the Bernabau as his frustration by lack of games has caused him to turn his head in search of new options.

Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson have been well known admirers of Benzema, but lost out in the summer 2009 race for his signature. It was also rumoured that Ferguon was preparing to swap Berbatov with Benzema. Unlikely as it was at the time, it is now even more unlikely after Berbatov almost made history with 5 goals in one game against Blackburn on Saturday.

Tottenham too have recently been linked to him. Since their soar to success in the Champions League, Tottenhams options for players has been broadly widened as they now have the attraction of European football. Yet despite manager Harry Redknapp stating that he liked the player, he said:

"certainly we haven’t made any enquires at all for him".

Aston Villa under their new French manager Gerard Houlier - the manager who has already brought one Frenchman back to the Premier League in Robert Pires is now reportedly interested in bringing in Benzema.

Meanwhile, Houllier's former club Liverpool, in need of a striker to partner Torres have been advised by Jamie Redknapp to snap up the former Lyon striker. His opinion may not mean much, in fact it means next to nothing in terms of Liverpool football club, but he said:

“Liverpool need a striker and they should look no further than Karim Benzema.

“The new Anfield owners have their first challenge: sign him.” 

Arsenal are now said to be prepared to smash their record transfer fee to buy Benzema for £25 million. Persistent injuries to important attackers such as Robin Van persie and Theo Walcott among others, as well as Nicklas Bendter's similar situation to Benzema - in his lack of game time, has apparently caused Wenger to feel the need to build on his attacking options.

Benzema is obviously doing something right to have all of these clubs after him. They are not just any old club either, these are some of the top Premier League clubs. But does the fact that a man who cannot get into a top Spanish team, but could get into any one of five top English teams simply exaggerate the fact that the Spanish League's quality is higher than the English? Maybe, but there is no arguing that the Barclays Premier League is still the most exciting in the world.

Redknapp Rules out Benzema Move but Players Must be Sold

A January transfer move for Karim Benzema has been ruled out by Harry Redknapp, while he also said that he will have to sell some of his players in order to purchase any improvements for his squad.

When asked about a possible move for the Frenchman, Redknapp said:

“There’s nothing in that,"

"He’s a good player, I like him, he looks a real talent. But certainly we haven’t made any enquires at all for him. There’s definitely nothing going on there at the moment."

“Before we can bring anyone in, I’ve spoke with the chairman, we need to shift one or two.

"It’s going to be a case of the only way we can do any business would be to let one or two go and whatever we get in we can go and invest.”

He hasn't ruled a move completely; by saying there is "nothing going on there at the moment" he was hinting that a move for him could be a possibility - maybe in the summer. Redknapp knows that Benzema would be cup tied in the Champions League, having played for Real Madrid, and as a competition that Tottenham are aspiring to do well in, they need their big name players. Benzema would be one of them.

If Tottenham were to invest in a new striker in January, they would most probably look closer to home, at a lower Pemier League team. Andy Carroll of Newcastle has been tipped as a possibility.

As for these players that Redknapp will have to let go, and Croatian play maker Niko Kranjcar has been rumoured to want out of White Hart Lane, seeking first team football. Liverpool were rumoured to be interestd for £7 million, while Italians Juventus are also interested.

After guiding his team to an inspired comeback against rivals Arsenal at the week end, Harry Redknapp is leading Tottenham in the right direction. He believes that his team can win the title this year, and the addition of top players that a Champions League team that they now are can attract, Tottenham are looking good for the future.