Exclusive: Arsenal Close In On £56m Trio as Arsene Wenger Looks to Conduct Summer Spending Early

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Emirates Stadium side step up moves to bring in talented additions.

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Arsene Wenger is set to step up efforts to bring in a trio of talents after being given the green light to spend a hefty transfer fund this summer.

CaughtOffside understands that the Arsenal boss is keen to conduct his spending early in the summer transfer window so as to have new additions in place well ahead of pre-season activity as well as to minimize the potential for losing out to potential rivals as deadline day homes into view.

Wenger has renewed optimism that he can challenge Europe’s ‘Elite’ for top targets having agreed on the principle of adjusting Arsenal’s wage ceiling so as to be able to attract high profile signings with the promise of competitive salary offers.

High up on Wenger’s list of prospective signings is Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, with Arsenal thought to be about to make an offer that will trigger the Belgian’s release clause, said to be in the region of £24m.

Once the offer is made there is sure to be interest from a host of other sides keen on the powerful attacking midfielder, with the likes of Chelsea, Man United and sides from the continent all likely to make offers for the 25 year old.

Arsene Wenger will hope that a move to the North London club will tempt Fellaini who seems certain to leave Goodison Park this summer. Arsenal have been given encouragement by the player’s representatives suggesting he is open to such a switch.

Having spent weeks attempting to secure a deal to sign Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic Arsene Wenger has now firmly switch his attention to Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain, with a £21m deal to sign the 25 year old Argentine international said to be close to completion.

Arsene Wenger met with Higuain’s father, who also acts as the forward’s agent, last week and after a positive discussion it seems that the Arsenal manager believes he is closing in on a deal to sign the former River Plate forward.

Re-elected Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has publicly stated that Higuain would leave the club this summer after seven seasons at the Spanish giants and a myriad of interested parties had been whittled down to just two, Arsenal and Turin side Juventus. Now that field is down to one.

The 25 year old has scored 106 goals in 188 La Liga appearances, of which 58 were from the bench, and Higuain has racked up a total of 122 goals in all competitions.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis hinted at ongoing talks with an ‘unknown’ target during an Arsenal Supporters Trust meeting last night, during which he stated that moves for prospective additions were held up due to discussions with club’s who were without a manager. Real Madrid of course being just one such club.

Wenger is keen to strengthen his attack but still sees French forward Olivier Giroud as a player who can deliver the goods and is set to make room for attacking additions by offloading a number of supporting forwards who offer little to cover Arsenal’s first team needs.

Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh, Park Chu-Young as well as Ivory Coast international Gervinho are all said to be set for the Emirates Stadium exit as Wenger looks to trim his playing staff.

Wenger is also pushing on with a move to bring in Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier having already held discussions with the club’s manager Remi Garde, the former Arsenal defender, to discuss the 22 year old’s availability.

The cash strapped Ligue 1 side may be forced to consider decent offers for any of their top talents and news has filtered through today that the French international has turned down a new contract with the Stade Gerland side and could well put in a transfer request imminently.

The adaptable attacking midfielder had an excellent season last term, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in his 20 Ligue 1 starts and is currently away on international duty having earned a call up to the senior French national team due to the good form he has shown this season.

Wenger is ready to offer up to £11m for the Lyon man, a fee that owner Jean-Michel Aulas could find hard to turn down.

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