Rumour Reel: Mathieu to Arsenal, Fabregas considering Real switch?
Published:
Robbie Purves | August 16, 2016
In Tuesday’s rumour reel, Arsene Wenger could be about to bolster his depleted defensive unit, with Barcelona’s Jeremy Mathieu to Arsenal linked in today’s back pages.
After the Gunners’ poor defensive display against Liverpool at the weekend, conceding four goals, Wenger is reportedly desperate to add a centre back to his depleted ranks.
Mathieu to Arsenal?
The Emirates outfit’s first choice centre backs Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista all missed their Premier League curtain raiser.
Now, reports coming out of Spain suggest Wenger could move for Mathieu – despite the defender currently being injured after limping out of Barcelona’s win over Sevilla at the weekend during the Supercopa de Espana.
The France international has won back-to-back La Liga titles and would bring winning pedigree to Arsenal but, as an injury-prone 32-year-old – is he really what the Gunners need?
Meanwhile, alternative target and World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi’s move to London has hit a snag, according to reports.
Wenger is apparently refusing to pay the £25m Valencia are demanding, after Arsenal had a bid of £20m rebuffed. This will surely frustrate Gunners fans after another window of tight purse strings.
Fabregas contemplates switch
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has reportedly ordered his representatives to reach out to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, in an attempt to force a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The former Barcelona and Arsenal man was left out of Antonio Conte’s first Premier League game against West Ham United, as instead the Italian coach favoured a powerful midfield pairing of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic.
The threat of a transfer ban could prompt Los Blancos into a swift move for the want-away Spaniard, with the club likely to learn its fate in the coming days.
Reds eye Medel
Liverpool conceded three at the weekend against Arsenal, and it now appears coach Jurgen Klopp is searching for a player to solidify defensive midfield and add bite.
Former Cardiff City player Gary Medel, nicknamed ‘Pitbull’, has reportedly been earmarked by Klopp as an option – with Lucas Leiva likely to head in the opposite direction. Medel won the Copa America this summer, was named in the Team of the Tournament, and can play both as a defensive midfielder or centre back.
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Gunners fans, tell us in the comments below what you think of Mathieu to Arsenal.
