The international break has almost reached it’s finale, which means it’s only a few more days until Arsenal return to our screens. To keep you occupied whilst you wait, Jonathan Kaney has the latest gossip concerning the Gunners!
£600k-a-week to sign Messi (Full story)
In one of the craziest transfer stories this year, the Star is reporting that Barcelona superstar and best player on the planet Lionel Messi could seek a move away from the Nou Camp because of his financial issues, with Arsenal his preferred destination.
The report says the four-time World Footballer of the Year is open to a move to England after falling foul of the tax authorities in Spain and would want £18m a year after tax. This would mean his weekly wage would be £600,000 before deductions. He currently earns over £14m a year net in La Liga and has a buy-out clause of £175m.
Despite it seemingly a match made in heaven, with Messi saying he wants to retire at Barcelona and Arsenal arguably the most sensible and miserly elite club in world football, I would take this one with a pinch of salt!
Arsenal join race for Banega (Express)
The Daily Express reports that 27-year-old midfielder Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega is at the centre of a transfer battle between Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton.
The Argentina international will be available on a free at the end of this season, and as a strong defensive midfield player who has quality going forward, he is exactly the kind of player the Gunners are looking to bring to the club in January for bolster out title push.
Gunners eye swoop for Barcelona B captain (Daily Star)
Arsene Wenger wants Barcelona B captain Alex Grimaldo to follow the likes of Cesc Fabregas, John Toral and Hector Bellerin to swap Catalunya for North London according to the Star.
The 20-year-old left back is reportedly eyeing a move away from the Nou Camp after struggling for first-team action behind Jordi Alba in the pecking order, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Arsenal could snap him up for free.
Nacho Monreal is in great form and Kieran Gibbs is a useful backup, but with the success of recent Barcelona graduates, signing Grimaldo to bed in for the future of the left back slot could be another masterstroke from Arsene.
Arsenal given hope as Carvalho contract talks stall (Metro)
Metro reports that Arsenal’s chase for highly-rated 23-year-old defensive midfielder William Carvalho may have been given a boost, with contract talks with Sporting stalling over his release clause.
He looked destined to arrive at the Emirates in the summer until a bad injury ruled him out as one of our targets and our hopes of reviving the deal in January appeared to be dead with him expected to sign a new deal.
However, with him recovering well and us missing out on other targets it’s definitely worth reigniting our interest in him if his contract talks do hit a brick wall.