Three in, Three out at Arsenal?
Silly season is well underway following the official opening of the summer window last week, so transfer rumours are flying in and out with incredible velocity here at Football Fancast.
So quickly, in fact, that we’re struggling to keep track of them all. You probably are too, so we thought it would be a good idea to start compiling all the rumours involving the Premier League’s top clubs into one place, trimmed down into easily digestible chunks.
It looks set to be a particularly busy window for Arsenal as they plan their most viable title charge for a decade ahead of next season, so where better place to start than North London?
There’s copious rumours of arrivals and potential departures at the Emirates, and it’s with that in mind we’ve summarised this week’s hottest Gunners rumours into a streamlined three in, three out format.
Would you like to see these SIX transfer stories prove true before the start of the 2015/16 campaign?
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OUT – LUKAS PODOLSKI
Having struggled for game-time during the first half of the 2014/15 campaign and resultantly spent the latter portion of it toiling at Inter Milan, managing just the one goal in 18 appearances, Lukas Podolski looks almost certain to leave the Emirates this summer – despite publicly insisting otherwise last week, as reported by BBC Sport – with just a year remaining on his Emirates contract.
There’s certainly some interest in the German World Cup winner. According to The Daily Mail, Galatasaray are considering a £1.5million bid for the 30 year-old. In fact, manager Hamza Hamzaoglu recently told NTV Sport; “Podolski and (Andre) Gignac are both on our shortlist,” referring to the bosman-bound Marseille target man.
But the Liverpool Echo speculate the former Bayern Munich and FC Koln man could land a little closer to home this summer, with Everton also interested.
According to the Mersey-based outlet, news of Galatasaray’s cut-price bid has caught their interest.
IN – GEOFFREY KONDOGBIA
The Daily Star aren’t exactly famed for their credibility but at least this transfer rumour comes with a reliable source and quote from Sky Sports Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio.
Arsenal have been linked with Geoffrey Kondogbia for a while, mooted as potential solution to the physical and defensive limits of their engine room following an impressive campaign at Monaco; averaging 3.1 tackles, 2.5 interceptions and 1.7 successful dribbles per match from his 23 Ligue 1 outings whilst netting as the French outfit eliminated the Gunners from the Champions League.
San Siro duo AC Milan and Inter Milan have already launched bids for the 6 foot 2 enforcer according to The Express, but Di Marzio claims Arsene Wenger has already discussed a summer move with Kondogbia. “Both Inter and Milan are competing to sign him, but now face competition from Arsenal. Wenger holds Kondogbia in high regard, the two have already talked.”
According to The Metro, Monaco value the 22 year-old at just under £25million.
OUT – JOEL CAMPBELL
Another winger-forward who ended up out on loan last season after struggling for game-time. Joel Campbell impressed on loan at Olympiacos during the 2013/14 campaign and at last summer’s World Cup, but is yet to truly imprint himself on the Arsenal squad.
The 22 year-old didn’t exactly uproot trees during his 15-game La Liga stint with Villarreal last season, netting only once, but that hasn’t stopped David Moyes sniffing around.
He wants to bring the Costa Rican international to Real Sociedad this summer, according to The Daily Star, and Campbell certainly hasn’t deterred interest by describing links with the Anoeta outfit ‘an honour’.
“It’s something that is not in my hands, but in the club to which I belong. It’s always an honour when such an important club such as Real Sociedad values you,” he’s recently quoted as quipping.
Meanwhile, the International Business Times, who summarise a reports from Spanish news outlet AS in English, claim the former Saprissa youngster has gone one step further – calling up Arsene Wenger personally and requesting a move to the La Liga outfit.
It follows quotes from Real Sociedad sporting director Loren Juarros, revealing the club are actively pursuing Campbell.
“[And signing Campell] it is not easy. He is a player with a high value and Arsenal are not quick in negotiations. We have interest in him and the boss wants him but we have to work with patience. The player has already expressed his desire to come here and now we have to find the formula to make it financially possible,” he said, according to IBT.
IN – KARIM BENZEMA
According to The Express, Arsenal are going for the softly, softly catchy striker approach in the race to sign Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.
The 27 year-old boasts 133 goals in 281 appearances for the Bernabeu outfit, helping them claim a La Liga title, a Champions League title and two Copa del Reys during since arriving in the Spanish capital from Lyon in summer 2009.
But the appointment of Rafa Benitez has put the France international’s Los Blancos future in jeopardy, amid reports from The Daily Mail claiming he intends to utilise three-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo as a centre-forward next season, leaving Benzema in some sort of supersub capacity.
No doubt, the 6 foot 2 forward would be a good fit for the Premier League and particularly Arsenal’s lone striking role.
According to The Express, Arsene Wenger plans to wait and see if rumours of Ronaldo’s revised role prove true, and what effect that will have on Benzema’s playing time, before launching a formal bid.
But that hesitation could cost the Gunners; Manchester United are also keen on a deal for the £40million-rated front-man, according to The Guardian.
OUT – CARL JENKINSON
He’s only just returned to the Emirates after a decent campaign out on loan at West Ham, but according to the tabloids Carl Jenkinson could be on the road yet again next season – this time with Sunderland.
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That rumour comes courtesy of The Daily Mail, who claim the Black Cats have already agreed a £2million loan fee with the Gunners.
The British tabloid also claim Arsene Wenger believes the 23 year-old still has a future in north London and wants to open negotiations over a contract extension when he gets back from the European Championships with the England U21 squad.
Yet, they also link West Ham as potential obtainers of his services permanently, with the Hammers hoping the £2million they paid to loan Jenkinson last season can be taken off any potential transfer fee.
Meanwhile, The Guardian claim Southampton are also interested in the former Charlton Athletic youngster as they consider replacements for Nathaniel Clyne, who is reportedly on the verge of joining Liverpool.
However, their interest may be ended by the almost-confirmed signing of Portugal international Cedric Soares, as reported by Mirror Football.
IN -PETR CECH
It’s a transfer saga that seemingly has no end despite Chelsea’s Petr Cech only gravitating further towards a much-reported summer move to Arsenal.
Indisputably one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, boasting four league titles, the 2012 Champions League title, three Golden Gloves and 333 outings for the Blues, the 33 year-old would give a massive boost to the Gunners’ title credentials for next season.
Last week came news that the Czech international would prefer to stay in London, courtesy of Sky Sports, following the revelation that Chelsea are prepared to let him join a Premier League rival.
This week’s instalment offers two contradicting reports. The Daily Mail claim Jose Mourinho is hell-bent on doing whatever he can to prevent an £11million Emirates move, demanding Theo Walcott or Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain in return to stall negotiations whilst PSG wait in the background.
The Independent, on the other hand, report the Blues have conceded Cech already and are now lining up QPR’s Rob Green – who made the most saves of any Premier League keeper last season – as his replacement.