Kevin Mirallas has explained his Arsenal snub in favour of Everton as he wanted to play regular first team football. The £6million signing from Olympiakos told ITV News he decided against a move to The Emirates after considering his first team options at both parties. He was impressed by the enthusiasm of David Moyes and the persuasive skills of Belgian team-mate and last night’s Everton hero Maraoune Fellaini which were also influential in his final decision.
The long and protracted loan signing of Turkish international Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid has reportedly hit another snag. Sahin is now reportedly set on a move to The Emirates after rejecting the overtures of Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool but Arsenal and Real Madrid cannot agree the terms of the loan deal. Arsenal reportedly want an option to buy the talented midfielder at the end of the spell but Madrid are reluctant to potentially lose a 23-year-old talent on the cheap, as they see him as a long term successor to Xabi Alonso, report The Guardian.
However Sky Sports have just confirmed at 8.20pm that they understand an agreement has been reached.
Goal.com report on how this could open the window for a renewed interest in French international Yann M’Vila. Arsenal originally distanced themselves from the Rennes midfielder when Wenger was confident of the strength in depth his midfield possessed. However with the departure of Song and snag in the Sahin deal, a potential £15million deal is being put together as they look to beat Spurs to his signature. The French side still expect an offer from the North London but will not budge on his off-putting transfer valuation.
ESPN pick up Cheikh M’Bengue’s claims that Arsenal wish to sign him this summer. The Senegalese left back can also operate in the centre back position and could be the potential defender Arsene Wenger cryptically noted he wanted to bring into the club in the upcoming weeks. He told French newspaper L’Equipe about the flattering interest but his club have moved quickly to suggest any move was unlikely with the season already underway and therefore limited time to find a replacement.
Despite being long expected Alex Song has now finally completed his £15million move to Barcelona. The Cameroonian will now provide competition for Sergio Busquets in the Barca midfield after the departure of Seydou Keita and follows Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Thierry Henry, Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas’s example by moving from Arsene Wenger’s Gunners to Catalonia.
What are your thoughts on everything happening at Arsenal FC on the 21st August 2012?
images: © Ronnie Macdonald, © wonker
Mathew Nash
@hitcmathewnashGoogle+more stories from Mathew Nash
I’m Mathew Nash a 23 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.
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