Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle – £20million)
In a double blow for Newcastle, they could also be about to lose star midfielder Yohan Cabaye to the Gunners as well, as they look to have met the club’s £20million asking price for the Frenchman. Cabaye has been a big hit in the Premier League since joining for just £4million from Lille in 2011, and his skillful and intelligent playing style from the middle of the park should make him a perfect fit into the style of football deployed by Wenger at the Emirates Stadium.
The 27-year-old had also been linked with PSG, Monaco and Manchester United, but will represent a great capture by Arsenal as they look to establish themselves as serious title contenders. The addition of Cabaye, who has favoured a move to the Gunners over other interested teams, will give Wenger far more depth in his midfield, as the talented playmaker can fill in either as a deep-lying midfielder in the Mikel Arteta role, or further forward, giving Wenger the option to rest star player Santi Cazorla from time to time, or else play him out wide.
Newcastle may look to Lyon attacker Yoann Gourcuff as a replacement for Cabaye, but are likely to face the wrath of their supporters after selling two key players to Arsenal in an otherwise quiet summer, in which they have only succeeded in bringing in the loan signing of Loic Remy from Queens Park Rangers.