[30stone]

Arsenal Boss Considers Move for Promising £26m Pair: Wenger Interested In Lyon Stars Lisandro Lopez & Miralem Pjanic


Lyon attackers Lisandro Lopez and Miralem Pjani? have a fan in Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who reportedly may consider making a move for the pair this summer. Having seen his side miss out on silverware for the fifth straight season the Gunners manager is keen to bring in new faces to his north London squad and to that end has already snapped up Marouane Chamakh and is set to add more signings in the forthcoming transfer window.

27 year old Lopez has had a fine first season at the Stade Gerland scoring 24 goals, including most impressively seven in the Champions League run that took the French side all the way to the Semi-Finals. Miralem Pjani? has matured into a phenomenal prospect this term. The 20 year old Bosnian has had an astounding season and is the type of adaptable player that Wenger covets.

Neither are household names and are the kind of players one can imagine the Emirates boss making a move for given Arsene’s penchant for bringing in talents he can then mould into the type of ‘total football’ players he likes to fill his squad with.

Money does not appear to be an issue as the Arsenal manager has been promised significant funds to improve his side this summer and given that the £26m pair would surely jump at the chance of a move to the Premier League perhaps this deal could well come to fruition.

[30stone]

Bolton Wanderers want £14m for Arsenal target Gary Cahill - report

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have to pay Bolton Wanderers £14 million if he wants to take Gary Cahill to the Emirates, according to a report from The Sun.

Wenger sees the highly-rated 24-year-old as offering the kind of solidity that would perfectly complement Thomas Vermaelen at the heart of the Gunners' defence as he looks to recondition his options in the back four.

Trotters gaffer Owen Coyle does not want to lose the former England Under-21 centre-back, though he has apparently acknowledged that, should a big club come calling, it might be hard to keep Cahill at the Reebok Stadium.

Coyle does enjoy good relations with Arsenal and remains keen to take midfielder Jack Wilshere on loan again next season.

[30stone]

Mikel Arteta braced for Arsenal and Manchester City transfer tug-of-war
Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta could be the subject of a £20million bid from Manchester City this summer, which could see Arsenal miss out on one of their top transfer targets.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to tie up a creative midfield player before the World Cup with club captain Cesc Fabregas on the verge of moving back to hometown club Barcelona.

Arteta, who is rumoured to be on the brink of leaving Everton, had been mentioned as a likely target for the north Londoners - although he would come at a price.


However, City are now thought to have expressed an interest in the Spanish midfielder and are set to test the Toffees' resolve with a £20million bid - at least £5million more than Wenger is believed to be willing to pay.

Roberto Mancini is a known admirer of the 28-year-old, who has five years of Premier League experience and is one of the most consistent performers in the English top-flight.



But Wenger may be tempted to use some of the significant funds available to him in order to outbid City and ease the growing discontent around the Emirates Stadium caused by Fabregas' rumoured transfer request.

[30stone]

Following rumours in the Sunday Times that Arsenal are interested in signing German centre-back Per Mertesacker , the defender has described the possible move as “attractive”.

Interviewed by German daily Bild, the Werder Bremen defender was asked directly if he knew anything about interest from Arsenal, but replied that his agent deals with all enquiries. Pushed as to whether he would like to move to the Gunners, the 25-year-old responded, "There are certainly attractive clubs abroad. In particular, clubs that have been playing for years in the Champions League”.

Mertesacker has just finished his fourth season at Werder Bremen and the 6ft 5in centre-back has already accumulated 60 international caps. Regarded as a consistent performer and a leader on the pitch, Mertesacker could be the type of player Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is looking for.

Wenger is thought to have a summer war chest to strengthen his squad with a centre-back one of his top priorities. Although Thomas Vermaelen enjoyed an extremely successful first season with the Gunners, the Arsenal futures of aging defenders Mikael Silvestre, Sol Campbell and William Gallas appear less certain.

Mertesacker is expected to star at this summer’s World Cup for Germany.

[Novo]

20 Million + Nasri

[30stone]

Originally Posted by Novo

20 Million + Nasri

LOL
I dont think so.

If im honest id prefer gourcuff anyway as hes only 23..

[30stone]

Manchester United Boss Weighs Up Move for £38m Italian International: Midfield Maestro De Rossi Interests Sir Alex

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly weighing up a potential big money bid for Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi this summer. The Manchester United boss will have seen that local rivals City have been strongly linked with the battling Italian and the Old Trafford manager knows that he could well do with a bit of steel in his midfield and may make a move for the 26 year old.

Having seen Owen Hargreaves return from injury but still not convinced the England international will have returned a different player to the one he invested a great deal of time and money chasing, Ferguson has been looking for players to play in the centre of his Man United midfield.

With Paul Scholes nearing the end of his glittering career, and with Anderson and Michael Carrick both coming off the back of very average campaigns, the club could do with a new addition and De Rossi is a top quality player who is in many ways two types of players in one.

Never afraid to put in a tackle, but fortunately more able to do so successfully than Scholes, the Rome born man is also able to steer his side towards goal and has the ability to score his fair share of crucial corkers. The valuation of the World Cup bound De Rossi could however be something of a problem. Roma are reportedly pricing their player at a rather inflated £38m which could well scare off any interest in the player, which may well be Claudio Ranieri’s intention.



Best defensive midfielder in the world alongside essien, possibly better than essien imo.

[30stone]

José Mourinho transfer targets: who could join 'Special One' at Real Madrid?
If, as expected, José Mourinho leaves Inter Milan to take over at Real Madrid, which players could join the Galacticos at the Bernabeu?


Ashley Cole
Bought previously to Chelsea by Mourinho and, after one of the best seasons of his career, is established as the world’s best left-back. The intense focus on his private life amid the spilt with wife Cheryl is understood to have left him considering his future in England.
How likely? 2/5

Fernando Torres
An unhappy season at Liverpool following injuries and the club’s desperate form. Would clearly not come cheap and, after 16 years at Atletico Madrid, may also be reluctant to join their greatest rivals.
How likely? 2/5




Steven Gerrard
Delivered mixed messages about his future last week and clearly has concerns over whether Liverpool will be in a position to challenge for the league in the foreseeable future. Was previously wanted by Mourinho when he was manager of Chelsea. How likely? 3/5

Maicon
Brazil international who was outstanding at right-back both in attack and defence this season for Inter. Expected to be an immediate target for Mourinho at Real.
How likely? 5/5

Daniele de Rossi
Currently at Roma and regarded as the ideal sort of combative midfielder to play alongside the more extravagant talents of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. Likely to cost in the region of £45 million.
How likely 3/5

Aleksandar Kolarov
Another potential left-back if Ashley Cole proves unobtainable, who will have caught Mourinho’s eye this season following some outstanding performances with Lazio. Could be one of the unlikely stars of the World Cup for Serbia.
How likely? 4/5

[30stone]

Albert Riera could find himself returning to La Liga this summer as Liverpool bid to lure Valencia striker Nikola Zigic to Anfield.

The winger's position at Anfield has become untenable following scathing attacks on Benitez and the club itself in recent months. VfB Stuttgart made enquiries last week about the 28-year-old's asking price but have yet to table an offer.

Reports in Spain suggest that Rafael Benitez is considering using frustrated Riera as a makeweight in a deal to bring Serbian hitman Zigic, 29, to Merseyside if Valencia agreed to a part-exchange deal.

However that arrangement would come at a price, with Los Che expected to command between €3million and €4million in addition to Riera, who was overlooked by Vicente del Bosque for Spain's World Cup squad following his unruly conduct in the press.

Liverpool could face a fight for Zigic with Midlands rivals Birmingham City and Aston Villa both planning moves for the lofty striker.

Riera had been in line for a move to Spartak Moscow last month but his extravagant wage demands priced him out of a move to the Russian capital.

[30stone]

Suarez, Van Der Vaart and Aguero linked to United

[King Gizzard]

I just found out the nets and posts for the champions league final were made at this place that manufactures goals about 5minutes from my house. thats crazy

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by 30stone

Suarez, Van Der Vaart and Aguero linked to United

, last two would be cool for us. Not seen much of Suarez.

England's performance last night was alright but at least we got the win.. G Johnson and Ledley King impressed me where as Walcott and Stevie Me didn't.

[bbfan1991]

Glad that Fernando Torres is staying at Liverpool, I couldn't imagine him at Manchester City, Chelsea or Real Madrid.

[Raph]

Nice reads there Ben!

[Raph]

I can see Maicon going to Madrid. Gerrard seems the least likely tbh, dunno really why.

[King Gizzard]

Think I might get an Ipswich season ticket if I don't get a Villa one

Roy Keanes barmy army !!

[Raph]

I'm going to a Bayern - Kaiserslautern game next season. (German Bundesliga 1.)
naturally, rooting for Kaiserslautern

When I go back to Wales, one day, I can't wait to go to a Cardiff game. Hopefully they'll be in the premiership by then

[King Gizzard]

I haved switched allegiances to FC St Pauli

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nate

Think I might get an Ipswich season ticket if I don't get a Villa one

Roy Keanes barmy army !!

Keano!.

Not a surprise Madrid will sign Angel Di Maria.

[30stone]

Originally Posted by bbfan1991

Not seen much of Suarez.

23, Uruguayan.

49 goals in 48 games in all competitions in 09 - 10 season.

[Raph]

Originally Posted by Nate

I haved switched allegiances to FC St Pauli

hahah yeah they made it up, along with Kaiserslautern. But Kaiserslautern won the league I wonder if anyone else here knows much about the German Bundesliga

[Raph]

Who would you guys think would win between Japan and Cameroon in the World Cup?

[Novo]

St Pauli are a vile dirty team...

Hamburg

[Raph]

Originally Posted by Novo

St Pauli are a vile dirty team...

Hamburg

I used to like Hamburg, when they had Takahara. I even have a shirt.

[30stone]

You all know the best team in the world..




Though without david villa.. and possibly david silva im not sure ill like them as much anymore, and i doubt they will be able to hold a champions league spot without villa.