25.  Stephen Fletcher (Burnley to Wolverhamton Wanderers, undisclosed)

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Fulham have announced the signing of central defender Philippe Senderos from Arsenal on a three-year contract.
The Switzerland international, 25, joined the Gunners from Servette in 2003 but has only made 54 league starts for the London club.
He spent the 2008/09 season at AC Milan and was also on loan at Everton for the second half of last season.
“I’m delighted to join the club during the most successful period in its history,” he told Fulham’s website.
Senderos is preparing to travel to South Africa where Switzerland are in Group H alongside Spain, Chile and Honduras.
“I will be looking forward to meeting up with my new teammates and of course, Roy Hodgson, a manager I respect very much, shortly after the World Cup,” added Senderos.

“I very much hope that I can contribute over the next few seasons and that the club goes on to achieve more success.”
Senderos is manager Roy Hodgson’s first summer signing and he is delighted to welcome the player to Craven Cottage.
“Philippe is a player that I have admired for a very long time since he captained Switzerland to the Uefa Under-17 championship in 2002,” said Hodgson.
“He is a strong defender who has great aerial presence at both ends of the field and has a superb work ethic which is a vital component for any team’s success. I am very much looking forward to working with him next season.” (BBC Sport)

This is something of a typical Roy Hodgson signing. Picking up a determined customer keen to prove himself and doing so for nothing. Often something of a figure of ridicule there is no doubt that the Swiss international has his limitations but he has become less calamitous in recent years and came close to securing a permanent move to AC Milan and that says something about his ability to put in a good shift at the top level.

Some may believe that this move could signal the departure of Brede Hangeland but its more likely that the 25 year old former Gunner will offer stiff competition to the Norwegian and Aaron Hughes. I expect the 25 year old to adjust well to life at the west London club and prove to be a good acquisition.

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CFR Cluj striker Lacina Traore will not be joining Arsenal until the summer at the earliest due to work permit problems, according to reports.
The 19-year-old CFR Cluj striker – dubbed the ‘new Emmanuel Adebayor’ – stands at an astonishing 6ft 8in, and has netted five times in 18 league appearances since arriving from Stade d’Abidjan.
After several eye-catching performances in Romania, Emirates Stadium supremo Arsene Wenger was believed to be ready to take a gamble on the Ivorian youngster to ease his striker crisis, teaming him up with fellow countryman Emmanuel Eboue in North London.
However, any transfer for Traore is now thought to be not possible until the end of the campaign, with work permit restrictions likely to prevent the starlet from becoming a Gunner during the January window.
“I have been in touch with one scout from Arsenal. I can confirm that it is true that they are interested in Lacina, but they will not make an offer during the January transfer window for him,” (Four Four Two)

Arsenal eye move for Sergio Canales
Racing Santander’s exciting young midfielder Sergio Canales is reportedly a target for Arsenal.

The Daily Mail claims Gelo Canales, the player’s father and agent, has met with Arsenal officials to discuss the details of a possible move to the Premier League.
Real Madrid have also expressed an interest, but Gelo Canales said: “I won’t discount any option. My son will go to a club where he will play plenty of football. That’s what interests us.”

Arsenal have coped well despite injuries to key forwards Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner. And with Theo Walcott now fit to return against Bolton on Wednesday, Arsène Wenger may yet decide against making a January transfer. (Telegraph)

As Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger looks to beef up his attack they continue to be linked with all manner of striking options and Lacina Traore has been a player continuously linked with a move to the Emirates but clearly such a deal appears to be pushed to the back burner until the summer. It seems that the Gunners manager is looking for a striker this month to help ease the injury crisis that club is suffering but will probably be looking for a more established front man to help replace Robin Van Persie and Traore seems to be a target that the north London club sees as being ‘one for the future’ rather than as an immediate solution to their striking problems.

Talking of ‘ones for the future’ Sergio Canales appears to be nearing a move to the Emirates as well and the 18 year old appears to tick the right boxes for a prospective Wenger target. He is a flair player with excellent touch and vision but he may fear that he could get lost in amongst the mountains of talent at Arsene Wenger’s disposal.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Celtic’s interest in Swiss defender Philippe Senderos.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Glasgow, although no firm offer has been made.
“There is an interest from Celtic, yes,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. “It may happen. We have Sol Campbell and we have four centre-backs.
“Philippe needs to play. He has not played for a long time and he needs to if he wants to go to the World Cup.”
Senderos, capped 33 times for his country, began his career at Servette before joining Arsenal in 2003.

He spent last season on loan at AC Milan and was linked with another loan move, this time to Everton, last summer.
His appearances for Arsenal this season have been restricted to two League Cup ties, both of which the Gunners won.
“I am very honoured that a big club like Celtic are interested in me and a loan deal right now would suit me perfectly,” he told the Agence France Presse news agency.
“My main priority is to get back playing regular football. I really miss that.

“The World Cup this summer is a really big thing for me. I know that if I’m not playing regularly my chances of playing in South Africa will be badly affected.
“It would be my second World Cup and I want to get the best possible build-up to it.
“Unfortunately, I haven’t played a lot of football recently and that’s why I feel I have to leave Arsenal.
“Hopefully something will be in place over the next few days but I’ll wait and see.”
Celtic last week sold Gary Caldwell to Wigan, but have already signed another defender in Dutchman Jos Hooiveld, who arrived from AIK Stockholm. (BBC Sport)

You have to feel for Philippe Senderos. He tried to break into the Arsenal team but started badly and got a reputation he really didn’t deserve. He made some mistakes but was still solid and actually got a lot better. He went out on loan at AC Milan and did okay but they passed on the chance to sign the big Swiss and he came back to the Emirates and found that he didn’t really have a chance. He had a good game against Liverpool in the Carling Cup that showed that he still had the ability to make it in the Premier League. A move to Celtic, either on loan or permanent, would be a good one and I am sure Senderos could do a great job at Parkhead.

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Mauro Zarate is looking for a return to the Premier League, his British representative has confirmed to skysports.com.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with the Argentine star, but it is also now understood that Manchester City and Chelsea are closely monitoring the situation and could make a move.

Zarate has been a big success in Italy with Lazio, who he joined in 2008 following a loan stint with Birmingham City.

But the 22-year-old forward has had his differences with coach Davide Ballardini and is ready to move on.

Lazio, having lost Goran Pandev to Inter Milan, would be loathe to lose Zarate but a big offer could persuade the Roman giants to sell.

His British representative, Barry McIntosh,would not name or confirm any clubs but admitted his client was keen to return to these shores.

“Mauro thoroughly enjoyed his time at Birmingham and he loves the Premier League,” McIntosh told skysports.com.

“We know the interest in him is big, I cannot say who, but there are some big clubs who would like Mauro.” (Sky Sports)

Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos has told BBC Sport that he wants a permanent move away from the Emirates.

The 24-year-old centre-back has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal, and has only made only two appearances in the League Cup this season.

“I want to go, I want and need to be playing ahead of the World Cup,” said the Switzerland international, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan.

“I don’t want to play in the reserves, I just want to go,” he added.

Senderos revealed he has already had contact with clubs in England and abroad but said he has no preference where he moves.

He expects to hear more about his future in the next couple of weeks.

Already behind William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen in the pecking order, Senderos’ Arsenal ambitions have taken a further blow with the possible return of veteran Sol Campbell. (BBC Sport)

Mauro Zarate is reportedly available for a fee in the region of £35m but anyone can see that such a valuation is absurdly inflated and some sources have suggested that Lazio may choose to cut their losses and accept a fee in the region of £17m which may be a more realistic bid that Arsene Wenger may consider making. Arsenal need some more firepower and have found themselves depending far too heavily on goals coming from the midfield and with Robin Van Persie out for a long period and the Gunners boss stating publicly that he plans on bringing in new faces this month perhaps a move for the Argentine international is a decent one.

The Emirates outfit are still very much in the hunt for silverware to end a four year drought and the Arsenal manager realises that signing players this month may be the make or break way to help the north London club to keep in touch with Chelsea and Manchester United.

Talking of Arsenal signings it appears the return of Sol Campbell to the club is the final straw for Philippe Senderos who is chomping at the bit to leave Arsenal and you can hardly blame the big Swiss International for having had enough. You can’t blame Wenger either as he just doesn’t see the centre back as having a chance of breaking up the William Gallas/Thomas Vermaelen partnership and therefore there sees little point in him remaining at the club.

The Arsenal man has a few potential suitors with the likes of Everton and Valencia being mentioned in reports last summer so with any luck someone will come and save Senderos from his nightmare and any move will be in everyone’s best interests.

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Phillipe Senderos is hoping to bring an end to his troubles at Arsenal by securing a move elsewhere.

The Swiss defender was loaned out to Italian giants AC Milan last season after struggling to hold down first-team football at Emirates Stadium.

His situation has failed to improve upon his return to England, with Arsene Wenger preferring William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen as his first-choice centre-half pairing.

Senderos admits his lack of action is starting to give him cause for concern, especially as the 2010 World Cup is drawing ever closer.

He has informed Wenger of his desire to take on a fresh challenge away from North London, and the 24-year-old hopes a deal can be struck during the January transfer window.

“I have held a meeting with Arsene Wenger and I hope the door has been opened for me to leave Arsenal in January,” Senderos told Marca.

“I need to play regularly if I am to make the 2010 World Cup with Switzerland.

“At the moment I do not have this opportunity and I must now consider my options.”

Senderos is reported to be attracting interest from Atletico Madrid and admits he is open to the prospect of a switch to Spain.

“Spain has one of the best leagues in the world and is very attractive to any footballer,” he said. (Sky Sports)

I think it is fair to say that Philippe Senderos is almost certain to make an Emirates exit just as soon as a decent offer comes in for the Swiss International. There is no doubting that the 24 year old has the quality to play for a top level side but just doesn’t have it within him to challenge the players already ahead of him at Arsenal and after a few years trying to get a decent run at first team football he has probably admitted defeat and it would be best for all concerned if he got the move he wishes.

Perhaps a move to Spain would suit the towering centre back and no doubt there are countless sides who would consider a move and Premier League outfits Everton and Aston Villa have reportedly shown an interest in Senderos and it seems that January could well see him leave the club.

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Philippe Senderos, who has been told by Wenger he can leave the club, is likely to be the only departure and Hull are lining up a move for him after selling Michael Turner to Sunderland for £12m. (Evening Standard)

Philippe deserves a good break. A move to Hull, and their perma-tanned idiot of a manager, would be a decent one. I have nothing against the Tigers, in fact I quite like them, I just can’t stand Phil Brown who seems to make a living out of making a fool of himself.

Senderos is a decent centre back and one who is a far cry from the dopey looking young Swiss who first arrived at the club all those years ago. Sure he may not be good enough to crack into our first team but he can sure as hell do a decent job in the Premier League. Hell even AC Milan thought he was the bees knees, but then they put him in the heart of their defence and thought again.

Quite how Hull managed to get a fee in the region of £12m for Turner is beyond me and apparently they could get Senderos for just £4m, what a crazy world we live in! Where English footballers cost the earth and football managers try to morph into Tom Jones!

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Now that the Joleon Lescott saga has come to its inevitable end and the club can now try to move onwards and upwards whilst simultanesouly hope that the disloyal defender pulls a groin strain in his first match in a Man City shirt (not made of gold apparently) it’s time for David Moyes to look at alternatives that he can throw the Lescott cash at.

Brede Hangeland (Fulham)

Good solid, if not spectacular, centre back. Had a great season at Fulham last season but may well be priced at the high end and may deem a stay in London more up his street. Roy Hodgson doesn’t want to lose him and is appearently looking for a fee in the region of £12-14m for the giant Norwegian, which is a hefty price to pay.

Philippe Senderos (Arsenal)

Much maligned figure who may not be fantastic but nowhere near as bad as many make him out to be. After all Italian giants AC Milan loaned him last season with a view to the Big Swiss international forming part of a replacement back four for the clubs aging defence. Apparently a deal was almost struck a couple of weeks ago but then fell through at the last minute. Significantly cheaper than Hangeland, Arsenal could let the 24 year old go for as little as £5m, which in this day and age would represent a bargain!

Steven Taylor (Newcastle United)

Very talented hard working and determined customer, Steven Taylor would be loathed to leave St James’ Park but may have no choice in the matter as Mike Ashley continues to sell the club from underneath them. Still only 23 but with a solid level of experience and an England regular of the future in my view. Apparently a player that David Moyes admires and again could be snapped up for a less than a third of the Lescott cash.

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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson wants to add a new defender to his squad before the summer market shuts.

The Times says Fulham are considering a move for Philippe Senderos, the Arsenal defender who was the subject of a £6 million offer from Everton this summer.

Stephen Taylor, the defender who does not want to leave Newcastle, is also on Hodgson’s radar. (The Times)

I’d say the chances of Philippe Senderos still being at the club next month are slim with Everton and now Fulham the main contenders for the Swiss International’s signature. I would like to wish him good luck wherever he goes because he did always give 100% but even that couldn’t paper over his defensive flaws, of which there were many.

That isn’t to say he can’t still carve out a career in the Premier League and a move to either Goodison Park or Craven Cottage could well suit the giant slap head, and to be fair to Senderos he has improved immeasurably since he first joined.

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Steve Bruce is considering a move for Arsenal centre half Philippe Senderos after Everton pulled out of the deal.
The Sunderland manager watched Senderos, 24, in action for Switzerland against Italy on Wednesday. (Daily Mail)

The big Swiss must have looked on in horror as Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas gelled perfectly as a pairing during Arsenal‘s opening day thrashing of Everton. Philippe Senderos knew then that his chances of carving out any sort of meaningful career at the Emirates were done and dusted.

A move to Sunderland seems a decent one for the big centre back and with Steve Bruce on board and with good backing from the club’s board, the Black Cats should be moving onwards and upwards this season so in many ways a move to the north-east may be far better for Senderos than the expected move to Everton.

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Arsene Wenger last night revealed he is looking to land Fulham’s Brede Hangeland – as soon as Philippe Senderos is shipped out to Everton.

Gunners chief Wenger took the rare step of admitting a transfer target as he prepared to make a bid for the £12million-rated Norwegian defender as he prepared to let Senderos go to Goodison in a £6m move.

Wenger said: “We have had a look at Hangeland, yes. It’s always difficult to say anything because we have not contacted Fulham, not contacted Hangeland, not made our choice on him or anybody else.

“It’s difficult to talk about names. At the moment we have six centre-backs – Silvestre, Gallas, Djourou, Vermaelen, Song and Senderos.

“We will have a look to see if we have an opportunity or not if he goes. We have given Senderos an opportunity to go because he has only one year left on his contract.” (Daily Mirror)

I am still not that keen on Brede Hangeland and whilst Arsene is right to point out we have six centre backs it’s worth also noting that Silvestre has looked a liability ever since we got him and Alex Song’s favoured position is obviously in the defensive midfielder slot.

Obviously time is running out for us to complete either deal and Wenger is always going to err on the side of caution when it comes to bringing in new faces so it wouldn’t surprise me if we don’t bring in another player before the transfer window closes, which may or may not be a bad thing.

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