Arsenal Rumors/Team News in Transfers/Rumours/Team News from Football.co.uk

Ben91 · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:13 pm

Quote:

MAKOUN SET TO FILL FLAMINI'S BOOTS

Mathieu Flamini�s replacement at Arsenal could be Jean II Makoun, according to the player's agent.

Jean-Christophe Thouvenel has exclusively told setantasports.com that the Lille midfielder is 'on The Gunners' short-list' if Flamini leaves the North London club this summer.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has declared that the France international will sign a four-year contract with the Rossoneri on Sunday night, and as a consequence Arsene Wenger will surely look at options to replace his key man.

Highly rated Makoun is also reportedly wanted by Tottenham, as the Cameroon international has built a superb reputation in Ligue 1 having played terrific football in the last three seasons.

�Makoun is on Arsenal�s short-list if Flamini leaves,� Thouvenel told setantasports.com.

�It is planned that he leaves LOSC when the season ends and moving to England is part of his objective.

�I can tell you for sure that Jean II is appreciated by Arsene Wenger but the transfer period has not started yet so I will not lie: negotiations are yet to start.

�He is not the only one on Arsenal�s list.

�He is short and not a monster but his involvement on the pitch is huge and he is a fighter.

�Tottenham are also interested in the midfielder and I believe that (sporting director) Damien Comolli is an admirer of Jean II.�

Could be his agent just trying to tout his player, but who knows.

papa5murf · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 2:47 am

Not quite sure how I feel about Martins. I haven't watched too many Newcastle matches, but from the little that I've seen him. He seems pretty decent. Not sure about the �15m price tag though.

Quote:

Wenger Chases Martins - Report
Arsene Wenger is planning a �15 million bid for Newcastle United�s Obafemi Martins according to reports.

After seeing his Arsenal side end the season trophy less once more, Wenger is keen to bolster his squad and the Nigerian striker is apparently top of his wanted list.

Although Arsenal have good options up front with Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin Van Persie, Eduardo and Nicklas Bendtner all fighting for places, injuries have disrupted their season and Wenger is desperate to make sure this doesn�t happen again.

Whilst Adebayor has had a fantastic season scoring 24 league goals, both Van Persie and Eduardo have faced long spells out injured and Wenger feels extra cover is need to solve this problem. It is also uncertain whether Bendtner has a future at the Emirates after a less than convincing season. The Danish striker has only managed four league goals all season.

Martins meanwhile has begun to thrive under Kevin Keegan and his improved performances have no doubt caught Wenger�s attention.

The Nigerian, whose season was disrupted by the African Cup of Nations, has still managed nine league goals this season, including three in his last five games as Newcastle�s form has picked up in recent weeks.

Martins is famed for his blistering pace and also has European experience with former club Inter Milan, both of which make him an attractive proposition to Arsene Wenger.

However, Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan, who has made keeping Martins� fellow striker Michael Owen at St James� Park his number one transfer priority, is likely to be reluctant to let Martins leave.

Keegan�s new strategy of playing his three strikers Martins, Viduka and Owen has paid dividends recently and Martins has become an integral part of his squad. But it is believed a move to London would attract the Nigerian and a bid of �15 million may just be enough to tempt Newcastle.

LB Maxwell is threatening to leave unless a new deal is made with Inter.

Quote:

Maxwell Demands Bumper Deal
Internazionale defender Maxwell has demanded the club offer him an improved deal, lest he take his services elsewhere in the summer�

The Brazilian�s current contract, which runs until 2010, see him earn under ₤1.5 million per year � significantly less than many of his team-mates.

And the 26-year-old is likely to leave Inter if he does not receive a new and improved deal in the very near future, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

�When we arrived in Milan, we received promises from Inter and now wait for them to be kept,� said Raiola in the Corriere dello Sport.

�This is why I am expecting a call from the directors to renegotiate the current contract, otherwise it will be unlikely we�ll see Maxwell playing for Inter next season.�

Interest

Maxwell has proved to be one of the Nerazzurri�s shrewdest acquisitions in recent years, having cemented himself among the most reliable left-backs in Serie A since moving from Ajax on a free transfer in 2006.

As such, the former Cruzeiro youth has been targeted by some of Europe�s biggest clubs, including Spanish giants Real Madrid and Premier League heavyweights Chelsea.

And Raiola insists Inter have a battle on their hands if they wish to retain Maxwell�s services.

�In the past Valencia had made their interest known, while Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea have asked for information on his situation,� he said.

�I think Maxwell has proved he is the finest left-back in Europe and now it is up to Inter to prove they want to keep him.�

Geordie JJ · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:37 am

Oba Martins will not be going to Arsenal in the summer. First of all he loves Newcastle and the fans love him. Secondly i dont think Wenger will make a 15m bid when there are much better strikers around.
If you do sign Oba you will soon find out that he doesnt have a footballing brain. I have lost count how many times he picks the wrong option and his passing is poor. No one with poor passing is gonna be a target of Arsenal. However, Martins does qualities that will appeal to Wenger. The main two are his speed and shot power. I do think martins needs some proper coaching to get the most out of his talent. Since Keegan has been there and since we have been playing 4-3-3 he has been a better player. I personally love Martins. When he plays you can tell just how much it means for him to play for the club. He never stops trying and always does his best.
I cant see him going to Arsenal but if he does there will be many gutted Newcastle fans. We all love lil Oba!

Steely Hill · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:41 am

martins is an african footballer.

that says enough on all levels

fakeplastictrees · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 1:19 pm

Steely Hill wrote:

martins is an african footballer.

that says enough on all levels

What exactly does Essien lack?

papa5murf · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 1:48 pm

Further news on Niko Kranjcar. Wenger has apparently prepared a �12m bid for him in case Hleb leaves. (so this one might drag out a bit.)

We are also apparently back in the hunt for Charles N�Zogbia, but will have to battle Tottenham for it. Rumor has it Keegan wants to swap Charles N�Zogbia for Spurs� Aaron Lennon.

Steely Hill · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 1:48 pm

fakeplastictrees wrote:

Steely Hill wrote:

martins is an african footballer.

that says enough on all levels

What exactly does Essien lack?

there are of course one or two exceptions.

we shall use the phrase 'vast majority' if you wish to split hairs

fakeplastictrees · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:01 pm

Steely Hill wrote:

fakeplastictrees wrote:

Steely Hill wrote:

martins is an african footballer.

that says enough on all levels

What exactly does Essien lack?

there are of course one or two exceptions.

we shall use the phrase 'vast majority' if you wish to split hairs

I don't think that is accurate either. A disproportianate number of African players may be prone to a lack of technique but there are a huge number of exceptions.

Eto'o, Essien, George Weah, Kolo Toure, Yaya Youre, Kalou, Mikel, Okocha, Kanoute being particularly notable off the top of my head.

rachrvp · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:20 pm

do we have any confirmation on the Flamini situation?

Big Jono · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:25 pm

rachrvp wrote:

do we have any confirmation on the Flamini situation?

Not officially but all that is needed is the unveiling in a Milan shirt pretty much.

rachrvp · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:26 pm

Big Jono wrote:

rachrvp wrote:

do we have any confirmation on the Flamini situation?

Not officially but all that is needed is the unveiling in a Milan shirt pretty much.

maybe so, but until he signs on that dotted line i'll keep dreaming he'll forever be a Gooner Crying or Very sad

papa5murf · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 5:14 pm

Sagna is about to be offered a long term contract extension and improved wages. Hopefully keeping him around for another 5 years till his 30th birthday. Smile

Quote:

Sagna Signs On At Arsenal
Bacary Sagna, Arsenal�s right back, is to be offered a new contract as manager Arsene Wenger looks to tie the French international down to a long term future at the Emirates.

Aware that players such as Hleb and Flamini are rumoured to be leaving London in the summer and with interest in Sagna thought to be growing around Europe, the Arsenal manager has acted quickly to quash any speculation surrounding Sagna�s future.

As a reward for his performances this season Wenger has promised Sagna an improved deal after an impressive first season in English football.

Sagna, who is currently missing from Arsenal side due to an injury which will see him miss the end of the season, has been a huge success at the Emirates since his �6million transfer from Auxerre last summer.

Not only has he been an ever present in the Arsenal side, he scored his first goal for against Chelsea recently and was even named in the PFA�s team of the year last week.

With the French defender still in with a chance of being called up to France�s European Championship squad, it looks like being a successful season for the 25 year old.

YoBBo · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 5:20 pm

On Milan official website

MILANO - L'A.C. Milan comunica di aver stipulato un contratto che legher� il calciatore francese Mathieu Flamini alla societ� rossonera dal 1' luglio 2008 al 30 giugno 2012.

Its been on there for about a minute so it isnt been translated into English yet Laughing

If any of our Italian members want to translate feel free but i think we know what its saying.

rachrvp · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 5:26 pm

YoBBo wrote:

On Milan official website

MILANO - L'A.C. Milan comunica di aver stipulato un contratto che legher� il calciatore francese Mathieu Flamini alla societ� rossonera dal 1' luglio 2008 al 30 giugno 2012.

Its been on there for about a minute so it isnt been translated into English yet Laughing

If any of our Italian members want to translate feel free but i think we know what its saying.

Milan announced that he had signed a contract that will bind the French player Mathieu Flamini to society rossonera from 1 'in July 2008 to 30 June 2012.

Crying or Very sad

rachrvp · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 5:33 pm

Just got the text off Arsenal.com

"Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has signed a four-year contract with AC Milan after passing a medical."

sad day Crying or Very sad

papa5murf · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 5:39 pm

I was always afraid he would leave for the money, even back in January when the squad was firing on all cylinders. Loyalty is one of those things that has gone from the world of sports. Sad

Look for bids for Jean II Makoun and/or Michael Johnson soon.

fakeplastictrees · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 5:54 pm

Johnson isn't good enough in my opinion.

YoBBo · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 5:59 pm

fakeplastictrees wrote:

Johnson isn't good enough in my opinion.

I think he is, i think hes a very good player.

Jean II Makoun has been heavily linked with Arsenal your right Smurfy rumours today we were looking to bring him to Spurs, by trying to convince him he'll play more at Tottenham than he would at Arsenal.

Personnaly i think Johnson would be a class signing for you guys, he can defend when needed he can attack when needed a well rounded player who probably will be one of the only English players worth the money paid for him, im thinking around about 8 million. Alot yes but i think hes worth it especially if Bents fee could rise to 16.5mil.

papa5murf · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 6:32 pm

This is one of the most outrageous rumors I've seen, but decided to post it for discussion purposes.

Quote:

Barcelona will bid �30m bid for Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas and may offer Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Eidur Gudjohnsen or former Gunner Thierry Henry in a part-exchange deal, reckons the Daily Star.

ImmortaL · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 7:00 pm

papa5murf wrote:

This is one of the most outrageous rumors I've seen, but decided to post it for discussion purposes.

Quote:

Barcelona will bid �30m bid for Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas and may offer Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Eidur Gudjohnsen or former Gunner Thierry Henry in a part-exchange deal, reckons the Daily Star.

It simply won't happen...

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