Emirates set for flurry of new arrivals.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks to be ready to pull off a late flurry of new signings, with £65million’s worth of players set to be announced on the final day of the transfer window, CaughtOffside can reveal.
The Gunners have endured a frustrating summer so far, missing out on big-name signings such as Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Luiz Gustavo, though Wenger has moved quickly to bring new additions in at the last minute, breaking the club’s transfer record in the process.
The bulk of the money will go on Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil, as talks are ongoing with the player over a proposed move after the Spanish giants accepted a £40million bid for the German international.
Although Ozil recently expressed a desire to stay at the Bernabeu, the club are willing to sell off some big names after breaking the world transfer fee record for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, as was confirmed earlier this evening.
Ozil looks set to be the player to make way following the capture of the Spurs star, as he is unlikely to find regular playing time in a congested squad, and will not want to be sitting on the bench for his club in the build-up to next summer’s World Cup.
The 24-year-old’s ability to play out wide or centrally will appeal to Wenger, particularly following the recent injury sustained by Lukas Podolski, which will keep him out for around ten weeks.
This is undoubtedly the marquee signing Arsenal fans were waiting for, and they will also be pleased with the additions of Yohan Cabaye from Newcastle and Joshua Guilavogui from Saint-Etienne.
Cabaye will cost Arsenal £17million after the two clubs finally agreed on a fee just below Newcastle’s initial asking price of £20million, with Magpies manager Alan Pardew willing to accept the Frenchman’s desire to leave and prepare plans to bring in a replacement quickly.
Guilavogui will join in a deal worth £8million, and should provide Arsenal with the depth they need in defensive midfield, with free transfer Mathieu Flamini the only current cover for injured pair Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta, and Aaron Ramsey more ideally suited to a role further forward.
Some supporters may be concerned at a lack of investment at the back, but Wenger is also said to be working on a loan deal for Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, with the option of a permanent move next summer. The Frenchman was seemingly unable to find suitable players in defence, however, despite a lack of cover leaving Bacary Sagna to fill in at centre-back on occasion this season.
Still, with plenty of exciting additions further forward, Arsenal can finally claim to have added the desired quality to their squad, as they look to fight off competition from their big-spending rivals Tottenham.