Arsenal Agree £10.9million Striker Signing

Arsenal have had a £10.9 million bid for Koln's German international striker, Lukas Podolski accepted according to the Mail.

The 26 year-old, whose contract with his current Bundesliga side expires in 2013 and has been actively pursuing a move away from Germany for the good of his career has apparently agreed a four year deal with Arsenal worth £100,000 per week and will join Wenger's squad at the end of the current season.

The striker, who has cored 16 goals in 20 League games this season for Koln, has been linked to a number of clubs of late, with big monetary deals supposedly in the offing for him to gobble up, but Podolski recently stated a move would not be for the money: "Money is not the most important thing for me. What is crucial is the development of my game."

Coincidentally, Arsenal would not be able to compete with clubs with backing from billionaire owners willing to spend huge amounts on players wages, which suggests Podolski has had his heart set on a move to Arsenal. This notion has indeed been supported by a current member of the Arsenal squad, who has played with Podolski in the German national team - Per Mertesacker.

The Arsenal defender explained that Podolski has been in contact and has been eager to find out about Arsenal, saying: “He has been very interested in the past few weeks and has sent me a number of text messages. I’ve told him that this is a great place to work and that Arsenal are an amazing club. Nothing has been agreed on yet, though, and Lukas hasn’t given me a ring yet."

Perhaps Mertesacker's praise of Arsenal tipped the balance in Arsenal's favour in terms of persuading Podolski to Arsenal. If reports are true and the left footed striker is on his way to the Emirates at the end of the season, it will certainly boost Robin van Persie's cause as well as adding a reliability and power to the Arsenal attack which is crucial to the sides progress.

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Wenger: No New Centre Back Signing Needed

Ten games into the Premier League season, and Arsenal sit in seventh position in the table - 10 points behind the leaders, Manchester City. Other than the obvious difference in the amount of points gathered by both teams, there is one other glaring divide between Arsene Wenger's side and Roberto Mancini's: goals conceded.

It is a fundamental rule of football; if you don't concede, you will not lose, but unfortunately for Arsenal, their defending from the very start of the season has been quite embarrassingly awful. At the Emirates, Wenger's side have conceded an acceptable amount of four goals in five game, but away from home, it has been a whole different story. In just five away matches, the Arsenal defence has conceded an astonishing 17 goals - eight of those coming at Old Trafford.

Compare those figures to the Premier League leaders', who have conceded just two at home and six away, and you can clearly see where Arsenal need improving if they want to at least break into those Champions League places. Tightening up that defence must be a priority for the team if they stand any chance of success this season - especially considering that they have already conceded almost half the amount of goals they did in the whole of last season (they have already let in 21 and allowed the opposition to score 43 last year).

However, Arsene Wenger is confident that the central defenders, who are now all back from varying problems are sufficient enough to help Arsenal to success. He believes that balance at the back is crucial, and he has finally found that balance with Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny, with Johan Djourou and Sebastian Squillaci also available if needed. He said:

"The balance is vital. I must say that all the three can play with each other. Koscielny and Vermaelen can play together and Mertesacker can play with Vermaelen and Koscielny. It gives us a bit of an opportunity to rotate a bit when needed and people are tired." 

"Ideally, Vermaelen will play on the left [of the centre-back pair]. But Koscielny can play on the left as well so we have a good potential and balance there. I think that all the three can play at any moment, and we still have Djourou and Squillaci as well."

"People wanted us to buy a centre-back so much and then suddenly you realise we have plenty."

Arsenal fans will probably be hoping that injuries stay away from their back line for a while, with luck in that department very thin on the ground, having seen Vermaelen - a integral part of the defence hampered with injuries for a long, arduous period of time.

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Midfield Signing on The Cards For United

Either Sir Alex Ferguson was purposely trying to dissuade Manchester United fans from getting their hopes up for a new signing, or David Gill doesn't keep the United manager informed on transfer activity.

Just as United fans and pundits digested Ferguson's comments that the club were not looking at any new signings because their main targets were unavailable, David Gill comes up with some comments to give revived hope of a new midfield addition.

"We are looking at one more player to bring in," said Gill, as millions of United fans' ears listened with delight. Gill, the Chief Executive of the club, has always insisted that the manager has money to spend on players if he needs it, and it is this central midfield position now vacated by Paul Scholes that will require a substantial fee to fill.

Ferguson has expressed a specific interest in a few players in that position; namely, Arsenal's Samir Nasri and Inter Milans Wesley Sneijder, with the latter being the favourite among fans. Nasri will cost in excess of £20 million this summer, or absolutely nothing next summer, providing he doesn't sign a new contract with Arsenal, while Sneijder will be a £35 million purchase. It's a big fee, but Ferguson admires the Dutchman hugely, and sees him as the natural replacement for Scholes.

"Nothing is happening and nothing is imminent but we will see what happens when we get home. There will still be 31 days of the transfer window to see if anything develops.

"The important point to understand, and Alex has made clear, is that we need someone who is going to improve the quality of the squad."

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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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Rooney Would Welcome Sneijder Signing

When Wayne Rooney signed a new five year contract back in October of 2010, he said he was "delighted" to be staying at the club where he belongs. He was probably also rather pleased with the amount of money he would be taking home each week, as he had been then made Manchester United's top earner with a reported wage of something above £200,000 per week.

Manchester United have been linked to a player reportedly demanding more than Rooney's mammoth wages in Wesley Sneijder, and it had been said in numerous speculative reports that Rooney was uncomfortable with a player earning more than him. That to me sounds extremely egotistical and selfish of the English striker, and it is something I wouldn't really expect from him, so I was pleased to hear that Rooney would in fact welcome Sneijder to United, no matter what his wages would be.
A source close to Rooney said:

"It's nonsense to suggest Wayne would ever stop Manchester United signing a player like Wesley Sneijder because he wants to stay the top-paid player at Old Trafford; its absolutely not true. In fact, it's just the reverse. He’s happy to see United sign any world-class player to improve the club's chances of success."

"What other players earn when they join United is of no concern to Wayne. He is happy with his own situation at the club. Wayne is committed to seeing Manchester United improve at every level, which is why he signed on for five more years last season."

Indeed, despite the questionable demands from Sneijder about his wages, it should be of no concern to any other players what they earn per week. For a player to be against a club signing another player because they would exceed their own wages is quite frankly ridiculous to me, especially when we are talking about the already massive sums of money they are being paid.

While Rooney may support the Sneijder signing, Sir Alex Ferguson's latest comments to "forget" United signing Sneijder seems to rule out the signing, unfortunately for the majority of Manchester United fans, who find Sneijder as the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes.

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Jermain Defoe a "good signing" for Arsenal

Arsenal have been linked to a whole host of top strikers in the past few weeks, and some names churned up have been more popular than others. Jermain Defoe is a player who strongly divides opinions with Arsenal fans, as some see him as injury prone, up and down, inconsistent form, not a regular goalscorer - and worst of all he plays for Arsenal's arch rivals Tottenham. Others, like Ray Parlour, believe Defoe would be a decent signing for Wenger, who could chip in a good few goals for Arsenal when he is in good form, and pose a real threat up front, with some clinical finishing.

Ray Parlour, the former Arsenal midfielder explained why he thinks Defoe would be a good signing and clever addition to the Arsenal side, despite his Tottenham connection. Essentially, what Parlour says is that Arsenal need a new dimension in their game that will help them to win a trophy. He believes it is a clinical finisher, who Arsene Wenger could rely on to come off the bench when needed to score a goal and win a game. He said:

“They do need a striker. Marouane Chamakh found it difficult (last season). He did well in the early parts of the season but went off the boil a bit.” 

“They should get someone who’s a little bit different, who can score a goal, like an Ian Wright. Jermain Defoe would be a good signing for me. Tottenham fans won’t like it but that’s how it goes these days. I was there when Sol Campbell signed and he was a great player for Arsenal.”

 “What he (Wenger) was trying to say is that when his best side is out, they've got a chance. The problem he’s got is in-depth."

“When his major players get injured, there is not enough quality behind who can come in and do a job. When I was playing, when vital players got injured like Dennis Bergkamp, we still had players who could come in and do a good job. That’s the difference now."

“If Arsenal get their top side out they are a very good side, there’s no doubting that. But if a couple of them get injured, have they got enough back-up? Players like Bendtner and Denilson, can they come in and do a sound job? Last season they had their chances but I don’t think they did."

“That’s what he’s got to look at. He’s got to look at trying to build a squad that, if he does have some suspensions or injuries which you don’t expect, then you can deal with it.”

Defoe is 28 years-old and isn't the tallest of strikers. His injuries restricted his success last season, meaning he only scored 9 goals in 30 games. Perhaps if Arsenal were to have brought him in on the back of a successful season in terms of goalscoring, the fans would be a bit more pleased and confident, but as it is, when Arsenal are linked to prolific goalscorers from last season such as Radamel Falcao and even Peter Odemwingie, Defoe doesn't seem much of a step up.

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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.

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball

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Barcelona Interested In Signing Chelsea Superkid Josh McEachran

It has been revealed that Chelsea are fuming over departing sports director Frank Arnesen failed attempts to tie up a deal for superkid Josh McEachran.

According to The Daily Express McEachran, now age 18, has been hailed as one of the country’s brightest young stars and won Chelsea’s Young-Player-of-the-Year award after making 17 appearances for the first team this season.

However the midfielder has not been tied down to a long-term deal and Arnesen has effectively made that clear to clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona by telling German sources that the player is on his wanted list.

England youth star McEachran signed his first professional contract with Chelsea, worth about £6,000 a week, last summer.

But that has only two years to run and, after his Premier League and Champions League debuts, it was decided that McEachran should be rewarded with a new deal including a substantial pay rise, tieing him to the club for the next five years.

Arnesen, however, did not manage to reach an agreement and talks have been delayed by the fact Chelsea are yet to appoint a new director or a manager.

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The Glazers To Hand Sir Alex £160 Million For Summer Signing

Reports have surfaced that Manchester United owners, the Glazer family has told Sir Alex Ferguson that he can spend big this summer.

The Scottish tactician has spoken about finding at least three major signings during the close-season transfer market.

According to The Guardian, Ferguson has a substantial transfer budget at his disposal for big-name targets during a summer in which the club’s bank account is expected to swell to more than £160m.

Club insiders say that any acquisitions will have to fit the template followed by Manchester United under the Glazers, with an emphasis on younger players who will retain value.

The club has bought one player in the past 14 years who was over 27 and cost more than £3m – Dimitar Berbatov for £31m.

According to Manchester United’s most recent accounts, the club have £113m in the bank and that has fuelled suspicions that the owners will withdraw some of it in dividends but insiders claim it is there for transfers and to guard against unforeseen events.

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Manchester United To Announce The Signing Of David De Gea

Reports are out claiming that Premier League champions Manchester United will announce the signing of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea next Monday.

Radio Cadena Ser has reported that the Spanish goalkeeper has decided to leave Atletico and accept a move to Old Trafford.

It is said that the deal will be formally announced by United on Monday – 48 hours after the Champions League final.

It is also believed that Manchester United have had a fee for De Gea agreed with Atletico for some weeks.

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Liverpool Interested In Signing Wolves Winger Matt Jarvis

Reports are out claiming that Liverpool are interested in Wolves winger Matt Jarvis.

Skysports.com has reported that Jarvis, who only recently won his first cap for England in the midweek draw with Ghana, is thought to be on Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish’s wanted list.

Dalglish is keen to bring in some much-needed width to the squad next season and he sees Jarvis as the man who could provide the ammunition for the new-look strikeforce of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

A number of other Premier League clubs are thought to be tracking the 24 year old ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

However Liverpool are hoping to steal a march on their rivals as they weigh up a move for the former Gillingham man.

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Mourinho Keen On Signing Olympique Marseille Wing-Back Taye Taiwo

It has been revealed that Real Madrid are interested in want-away Olympique Marseille wing-back Taye Taiwo.

The 25 year old Nigeria international has declared that he is ready to leave the French giants in the summer when he comes off contract.

Taiwo on his part has aadmitted an ambition to play for Chelsea, while he is also keen on AC Milan.

However Marca has reported that Real coach Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the free-scoring wing-back and wants to bring him to Madrid in the summer.

Mourinho even tried to prise Taiwo away from Marseille while in charge of Inter Milan and remains a huge admirer of the Nigerian.

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Ashley Young Now A Priority Signing For Liverpool

It has been revealed that Ashley Young is now a priority target for Liverpool for the summer transfer market.

It is said that Liverpool made a last-minute effort to sign the England international on the final day of January’s transfer window, but Villa were unwilling to sell.

According to the Telegraph, Villa’s hopes of tying Young down to a club-record £80,000 weekly contract evaporated when he announced that he will not extend his contract.

Villa are hoping to attach a £20m price tag to Young, who has notched up eight goals and eight assists for Villa this season, but their position is weakened by the fact that his contract expires at the end of next season, at which point he could depart for free.

Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool’s caretaker manager, who is currently negotiating an extension to his own contract, believes that Young’s creativity would help bring the best out of new signing Andy Carroll, but he will face tough competition for his signature.

Tottenham are looking to bolster their own Premiership credentials and Manchester United are hoping to recruit a creative midfielder this summer.

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Arsenal Confirm The Signing Of Jens Lehmann

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Jens Lehmann will sign for Arsenal for the rest of the season.

Lehmann, now age 41, played for two seasons at Stuttgart before hanging up his gloves and has since worked in the German media.

The former German international made almost 200 appearances for the Gunners – with whom he won the Premier League title in 2003/2004 as part of the Invincibles side.

Wenger confirmed: “Lehmann is training with us and will sign for the rest of the season. We have no cover in the Premier League, so that is why I decided to bring Jens back. He has not signed, but it [a contract] has been agreed.”

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Newcastle United Interested In Signing Lille Striker Gervinho

Graham Carr, Newcastle United’s chief scout has confirmed that the club is interested in signing Lille striker Gervinho.

However, Carr also admitted that the Ivory Coast international’s asking price could be too steep for the Toon.

“I asked Sven (Goran Eriksson) about Gervinho because he had him when he was at the Ivory Coast,” he told the Sunday Sun.

“Sven said that he will probably cost you a lot of money! He is a good player but probably not an out-and-out striker, so it is up to the manager to decide what kind of player he wants.”

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