Posts Tagged ‘David Villa’

Football

Arsenal begin ‘formal talks’ with Barcelona to sign David Villa

By Stefano on January 28th, 2013
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Ok Arsenal fans. So you have endured a pretty rotten transfer window, but there are signs that it is about to get a whole lot better. If I were a betting man I’d put money on Mohamed Diame being an Arsenal player in the next 48 hours.

But even more exciting is the news, which has been reported by Goal, that Arsenal have opened formal talks with Barcelona to sign David Villa.

Goal says

The Gunners’ contract negotiator Dicky Law has been in Spain to negotiate the transfer of the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and Arsenal are increasingly hopeful they can push through what would be a sensational deal in the last days of the window.

The club are reluctant to let the player go, but it appears that Villa has set his heart on leaving Catalonia and that Arsenal are his preferred destination.

The rumour is that Arsenal will fork out £13.8 million to sign him on a permanent deal and match his current £110,000-a-week wages.

The interesting part is that Arsenal may hold a lot of the ace cards as Barcelona owe them money for both Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song.

So Arsenal fans would the arrival of Villa be some recompense for all the players (Petit, Overmars, Henry, Hleb, Fabregas and Song) who have moved to Spain over the years?

And is Villa finally a replacement for Robin Van Persie?

Or is Wenger about to cough up a lot of cash for a player who is past his best, will be dogged by injuries and might not suit the way the Gunners play?

What do you think?

UPDATE – Sky are saying that Arsenal have denied that the talks are taking place. This one is going to the wire…

Great post here on how Arsenal denied interest in both Arteta and Cazorla

 



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Football

Arsenal update: Mohamed Diame ready to join, striker hunt continues

By Stefano on January 28th, 2013
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With only three days to go before the end of the transfer window Arsene Wenger should in theory be a busy man today. If Arsenal are going to sign two players before the deadline we should start hearing some concrete news from The Emirates very soon.

One player who is apparently desperate to join Arsenal is West Ham’s Mohamed Diame. The Daily Mail reports that the tough tackling midfielder has already told friends that he is very keen to head to North London. Diame is allegedly in trouble with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce for missing a 7am meeting last week to go through the games against the Gunners.

Wenger’s hunt for a striker continues with the morning with the papers highlighting three fronts. The Daily Mail says that Wenger is stepping up his campaign to prise David Vila from Barcelona.

If Villa doesn’t join Wenger is still apparently interested in both Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic and Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez.

I guess we will hear some more new today.

Meanwhile Arsenal’s current striker Olivier Giroud has been talking about how much he is enjoying life in the Premiership.

“I chose this championship because there is more intensity, more physically, you have to be ready in the athletic way. I like it but I like to play good football as well. It’s been a very important week. I’ve had a lot of time to play. I had a difficult time a couple of weeks ago when I didn’t play a lot so I had to keep confident, keep going and it’s important for me to score in both matches.

“I was not so far from scoring a hat-trick again. But I want to continue to work hard, to succeed and I’d like to score my first hat-trick soon.

“I play better not when I’m angry but when I’ve got determination. It’s very important in football. When you don’t have the hunger you can’t play very well and succeed. You need it. We want to get six points against Liverpool and Stoke to reach Tottenham and fourth place. We are looking forward now, we want to reach fourth and then we will play and see where we get.”



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Arsenal update: Does Giroud’s form mean the chase for David Villa is over?

By Stefano on January 27th, 2013
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Given the circumstances a 3-2 FA Cup win away at Brighton isn’t too bad a result for Arsenal. Well it would have seemed that way to the fans until they saw Man United blast their way past Fulham.

The most notable thing about the Brighton game though was the excellent form of one Olivier Giroud.

The French striker has now scored six times in eight games and is starting to win over the Arsenal faithful who were concerned by the length of time he took to acclimatise to the Premiership.

Arsene Wenger has been singing his praises too likening him to Arsenal legend Alan Smith. Yesterday’s goals were top drawer too. The first a bending shot from outside the area that gave the keeper no chance. The second, possibly even a better, a beautiful piece of skill to control a long pass from Diaby and then a lethal shot. Dare I say it it was almost Van Persie-esque in its execution.

In spite of his form though most Arsenal fans are still desperate for an A list striker to be added to the squad. Barcelona’s David Villa tops many fans wants lists, but others like Adrian Lopez would be welcome additions.

The only problem for Gunners fans is that Giroud’s run of form has coincided with Wenger’s back tracking on buying players in the window. In spite of rumours about team on their way to the Catalan Capital to secure Villa’s services, Wenger has said that there has been no contact between the two clubs about the player.

It isn’t just Villa. There is the ongoing link with Lopez. The dream move for Cavani – though that has gone predictably quiet – and the mooted move for Aston Villa’s in form Christian Benteke.

As well as Giroud (and Walcott) are playing at the moment if Arsenal are to qualify for the Champions League they do need to replace Van Persie with a world class striker. Giroud is arguably a tanned version, not of Alan Smith, but another Arsenal forward with ball holding attributes Nick Bendnter. The French man will achieve more at The Emirates in long run, but he is not the player who will ensure that Wenger end the season with the fans on his side.

Wenger said at his conference yesterday

Asked if he needs to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes on Thursday night, Wenger said: “Quality-wise, no. But number-wise we are maybe a bit short.

“It will not be easy, though, because you do not find strikers who are good enough to play for us on the street.”

That doesn’t sound like a man ready to break the bank to re-ignite Arsenal’s season.



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Football

Arsene Wenger Arsenal press conference update. Villa; ‘not on the case.’ No new players a possibility?

By Stefano on January 25th, 2013
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There might just be a week to go in the transfer window but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger doesn’t seem in too much of a hurry to buy new players.

Describing signing new players in the winter window as ‘a gamble’ at his press conference Wenger went on to say that he also thinks that the number of deals in the window should be limited.

But the saddest news for Arsenal fans is his dismissal of any activity to sign Barcelona’s David Vila. Wenger said ‘we are not on the case.’

With the future of Mohamed Diame in some doubt and Spurs apparently keen on the player now, there remains a very real possibility that Arsenal will not sign a single player in the window in spite of letting several players go on loan and their mixed league form.

So Gunners fans what do you think? Has Arsene Wenger got his transfer strategy all wrong? Or does he still know?



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Football

Arsenal update: good and bad news on the David Villa chase

By Stefano on January 25th, 2013
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There some good news and band news for Arsenal fans this morning – well those who covet the signing of one David Villa from Barcelona.

The good news is that the player didn’t get a run out in the Catalan team’s 4-2 victory over Malaga in the Copa del Rey last night. Villa is apparently frustrated at his lack of playing opportunities and The Daily Mail among others thinks that his spot on the bench will further push him towards the exit door.

Barca’s assistant manager Jordi Roura said before the game: ‘We already know everything about David. He has had really bad luck with his injuries. That has interrupted his rhythm. He will know if he starts or not when we take the decision. He has always been an important player for us.’

However The Metro suggests that even if the striker does decide to leave Spain, North London might not be his destination.

Italian giants Juventus are apparently mulling over a bid for the 31 year old.

This is the same Juve that has been on the verge of signing Athletico Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente (coincidentally another Arsenal target) for much of the window.

With the Basques playing a little hard ball over the deal this sounds like a classic case of the Italians spreading news to get the Llorente deal done.

If that’s not the case then Villa comes with a price tag of around £10 million, which may prove prohibitive for The Gunners.

If the player does sign expect it to be hours before the deadline in classic Wenger style.



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Arsenal update: Arsene Wenger to move for Davild Villa next week

By Stefano on January 23rd, 2013
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Arsene Wenger has said before that he likes to leave things late in the transfer window in order to get the best deals. Well it seems he is going to go to the wire on the man who could be Arsenal’s number one winter target – David Villa.

Although Barcelona have stated that he is not for sale the player has re-ignited Arsenal’s interest after apparently pushing his club for an exit and favouring a move to London.

In typical Wenger style it appears that the club will wait until the last 48 hours of the window before making their move.

The Sun reports that

The Gunners will not pay £15m for a player of Villa’s age but they are desperate to land a striker and would pay £10m.

I think most Arsenal fans would agree that Villa’s deadly accuracy in front of goal and his ability to turn a half chance into a goal scoring opportunity are exactly what the North Londoners need at the moment.

This one is going to go to the wire.

 



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Football

Arsenal update: Wenger considers Celtic’s Victor Wanyama. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in the balance

By Stefano on January 22nd, 2013
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In the last couple of days an old rumour has re-surfaced – the one that sees Celtic’s Victor Wanyama joining the club as a holding midfielder. Wanyama has been impressive for Celtic in both the Scottish Premiership and The Champions League and would be a straight replacement for Alex Song who left for Barcelona in the summer.

The Indie says

Having closely monitored the progress of Wanyama in Celtic’s successful progress through the Champions League group stages, Arsenal have made the Kenya international aware that he is a strong option for the position. Though Wanyama’s performances have seen his asking price rise above £10m, the 21-year-old’s wages are comparatively low and he has refused to extend a contract with Celtic that expires in 2015.

Wanyama has another string to his bow in that he can also play in central defence and Arsenal could add depth in this area to cover for Johann Djorou who left on loan earlier in the window.

Wanyama has also scored seven times in 32 appearances this season.

Meanwhile the ongoing saga of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has taken an interesting turn with the player apparently not making it to Newcastle to complete a medical which would seal the move of the defender from Montpelier to the north east.

According to The Telegraph Newcastle still expect Yanga-Mbiwa to arrive on Tyneside, with the club blaming the weather for the delay.

It says

Arsenal have been in contact with Montpellier after news of Newcastle’s bid was leaked in France to ask about the size of their offer, but they have not made a formal bid.

Whether Yanga-Mbiwa has decided to wait to see if an offer comes from the north London club remains to be seen, although that might explain the delay in his travel to the north east.

Finally a quick reminder of the story that broke yesterday afternoon that David Villa has told the Spanish paper Sport that he wants out of the club during the window.

Villa is of course a major Arsenal target with the player rumoured to be keen on a move to North London and Arsenal had apparently readied a team to jet to Barcelona to secure his signature.



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Arsenal update – David Villa wants to leave Barca now says Spanish paper

By Stefano on January 21st, 2013
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The David Villa to Arsenal saga was thought to be over last week after Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said “I completely rule out the transfer of Villa during the winter market.”

However, in what could be great news for Arsenal fans, the 31 year old striker apparently doesn’t see things that way.

The Independent has reports from Spanish paper Sport that Villa is frustrated about not playing and wants to leave the club in the window. The player was rumoured to be keen on a move to North London and Arsenal had apparently readied a team to jet to Barcelona to secure his signature.

The arrival of Pep Guardiola at Bayern also means that a move to Munich shouldn’t be ruled out either.

There are still 11 days left in the transfer window and this one could go to the wire.



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Arsenal update – Barca say no to Villa, so Wenger to chase Adrian Lopez?

By Stefano on January 14th, 2013
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Well Arsenal fans, it was nice to dream, but it seems pretty definite now that Barca’s David Villa will not be joining the club in the transfer window. According to Goal Wenger had a team ready to jet off to Spain this weekend, but they have put their passports away for now.

The player is understood to be quite keen on a move to The Emirates, so maybe Wenger will be back for the striker in the summer. Shame as he would have been a brilliant loan signing.

Assuming that Arsenal do still buy a striker in the window – and it is by no means certain given recent pronouncements from the manager – the favourite would now appear to be Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez. One of the reasons why Lopez is so attractive is that he is a versatile player who can start anywhere in the front three. His striking skills would provide serious competition to Walcott and Giroud at The Emirates as well as putting pressure on Gervinho. Hopefully it would mean the end of Ramsey’s days as a winger too. Last season Lopez scored 19 goals in every competition.

He is not the marquee signing that Arsenal fans are calling for, but he might prove to be an excellent addition to the squad.

Lopez has a £14.7m release clause in his contract, but Wenger hopes that the striker, who has appeared only a small number of times for the Madrid side this season, will put pressure on his club to see the move through.

Goal.com reckons that the club will start off with a bid of £10 million, but £12 million would be enough to prise the player from Atletico.

Interestingly Lopez secured his place in the Atletico team at the expense of another player who is very familiar to Arsenal fans – José Antonio Reyes.

So is this a smart move for Arsenal? Or will it end in tears like the Reyes signing? Tell us in the comments.

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Arsenal update: David Villa deal back on? Afellay targeted. Shaw going nowhere. Diaby back against City?

By Stefano on January 10th, 2013
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Barcelona President Sandro Rosell may have told Arsene Wenger that he is not prepared to sell Spanish international striker David Villa in the window. But it seems that hasn’t put the Arsenal manager off. Caught Offside is reporting that Arsenal are still engaging with Barcelona in discussions about Villa and want to sign another of their players.

Long term Gunners target Ibrahim Afellay is apparently back on Wenger’s radar and the club are said to be very keen on the versatile attacker who is currently on loan at German side Schalke. Afellay struggled in his first season at Barcelona though his loan period – which has yielded four goals in 13 games – has been slightly more successful. The player was also a key man in Schalke’s recent Champions League victory over the Gunners.

There are very few hard facts on the Caught Offside story, so make of that what you will. But Afellay has been on Wenger’s radar for a while and could be picked up relatively cheaply. And as for Rosell’s pronouncements on Villa, how many times have clubs, especially Arsenal, gone back on their word when the right deal came along? We’ll have to wait and see.

Another of Wenger’s targets is happy to stay where he is for now anyway. Southampton’s highly rated left back Luke Shaw told the club’s website he is staying put.

“I’ve spoken with the chairman about a long-term plan for me at the club and just to end all speculation, I will be committing my future to Southampton.” 

“I’m not going anywhere. I think Southampton is the place to be for young kids like me.

“I’m playing in the Premier League in the first team and that’s what anyone wants to be doing and I just want to carry on doing that.

“If you look back, you’ve had Ads [Lallana] come through the youth system, and now he’s captain of the first team. Prowsey [James Ward-Prowse] has just signed a new deal and that’s what I want to be doing.”

Finally Arsenal’s injury-prone midfielder Abou Diaby played 65 minutes of the club’s most recent Under-21s league game without any reaction from his thigh problem. He may even make the squad to face Man City at the weekend.

Pic Wikipedia



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Arsenal update: Walcott to be offered £25million to stay. German defender linked

By Stefano on January 9th, 2013
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Worryingly for Arsenal fans keen to see Arsene Wenger strengthen his squad it has been a fairly quiet morning for transfer rumours. The big one is the seemingly never ending saga of Theo Walcott and his new contract.

In an exclusive – ain’t they always – The Mail says that player will get a five-year deal worth in the region of £88,000-per-week, plus a £3million signing-on bonus, and that the club are now confident he will ‘sign da ting.’

The rest of the article says nothing new, but if true, it does seem as if the deal might be about to be done.

If it is then Wenger, Gazidis and co need to get their skates on. There is a big run of games looming and still no signings. Yesterday Barcelona President Sandro Rossel confirmed that his star striker David Villa, was gong nowhere in the window, so is it all back on for Atletico’s's Adrian Lopez? It is all quiet on that one.

TalkSport have linked Arsenal with one new player this morning, but it is not striker. The website says that a plethora of interested Premier League parties have been alerted by Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes’s decision to shelve contract talks with his Bundesliga club, including Arsenal.

The player, who has won ten German caps, is a central defender who would rival Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen for a place in the side.

On one level this sounds unlikely given the talent Arsenal have at the back. They have however leaked six goals in their last three games, so maybe Arsene is pondering a change.



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Arsenal update: Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and James McCarthy targeted and Wenger phones David Villa.

By Stefano on January 6th, 2013
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Is Arsene Wenger losing interest in French bad boy Yann M’Villa? Possibly because according to the Mirror he has a new midfielder on  his radar, Wigan’s highly rated Republic of Ireland player James McCarthy.

McCarthy has been very consistent this season and was highly impressive  when Arsenal beat Wigan a few weeks ago. The Mirror reports that Arsenal will offer Wigan £8milion for the player, but there’s very little to detail back the claim up.

The same paper also suggests that with Arsenal finally offloading players – Djorou and Chamakh have already left on loan and Squillaci and Arshavin are expected to follow – Wenger will redouble his efforts to sign Montpellier captain Mapou Yanga-Mbwia, who can play across the defence and in midfield.

The Sunday People has an update on the chase for David Villa suggesting that Arsene Wenger has called the Barcelona player to encourage him to sign for the Gunners, although the Catalan club are apparently now hinting that they want to hold on to Villa until the summer.

Read our top transfer target list here

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Arsenal update: David Villa on his way? Luke Shaw going cold?

By Stefano on January 5th, 2013
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Two years ago if you had suggested that Arsene Wenger would be wiling to splash out £15 million plus for a 31 year old you would have been laughed out of The Emirates. Yet this morning it seems as if that a big money signing of a player entering the twilight of his career might come through as Arsenal have apparently made a formal bid for Barcelona’s David Villa.

According to Caught Offside Wenger is testing Barcelona’s resolve with a bid for Villa, and if the club don’t bite then he will secure Atletico’s Adrian Lopez. The Mirror is also running with the story.

Villa allegedly fancies a move to the Premiership where he would fit in well with Arsenal’s style of play. There are also three Spanish players in the Arsenal squad already in Cazorla, Arteta and Miquel. Arsenal appear to be the only club left in the running as no other Premiership clubs would consider buying the striker, they were only after loan deals. So the story doesn’t appear to be too much of  sports reporter’s flight of fancy.

Since his signing from Valencia Villa has scored 40 times in 91 appearances for Barcelona. His appearances this season have been  limited by an injury and the embarrassment of riches that the Catalan club boasts in forward positions.

In order to secure more signings the Arsenal board are keen to clear out some of the squad’s fringe players. Chamakh has joined West Ham on loan, Arshavin is negotiating with Reading, Djourou is wanted by Hannover and Squillaci will be offered a free transfer.

One transfer that appears to have gone a little quiet is Luke Shaw from Southampton. Talksport reports that there has been no discussions between Arsene Wenger and Nigel Adkins about the player’s future, and that Shaw wasn’t mentioned when the two teams met earlier in the week.

“No, [Wenger] didn’t say anything,” said Adkins. “As I have said before, Luke is better playing for Southampton Football Club, where he is being nurtured and looked after.”

Asked how he would feel if Arsenal did make a formal approach for the teenage defender, Adkins replied: “He is under contract. We are not looking to let him go. This is the best place for him at this point in his career.”

Pic from Wikipedia



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Arsenal update – no news on M’Vila or Villa, but Abou Diaby is back

By Stefano on January 3rd, 2013
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So a fairly quiet day for Arsenal on the transfer front. Yann M’Vila has been making noises about moving to The Premiership and there are strong rumours that Arsenal could be about to sign the Rennes player – but nothing concrete yet.

Barcelona also seed to have decide that they will let David Villa go after all, but if Arsenal want him they will have to fork out £16 million. They might also end up competing with Spurs also. £16 million for a 31 year old? Doesn’t sound like Arsene Wenger. I do think a load deal would be great, but it isn’t going to happen, is it?

With the Lopez deal stalling, Zaha apparently staying at Palace it doesn’t look like Arsenal will be making too many purchases in this window.

But hey that won’t matter because look who is back. Yep Abou Diaby started training with the Arsenal team today and is fit enough to be included in the squad for the weekend’s FA Cup tie at Swansea.

According to Arsenal.com

“Overall the [fitness] situation is very satisfying. Even when you start the season, usually you have an injury. We had Tomas Rosicky coming back injured from the European Championships. [Having everybody fit] is something we really enjoy.

“We are doing more work on [injury prevention] and it certainly plays a part. It’s difficult to say how much, but the prevention has become a bigger part of our training methods.”

As much as I’d love for Diaby to come back and set the Premiership alight in the way he did at the start of the season, it just isn’t going to happen. I’d so love to be proved wrong but I think he has proved a gamble too far for Wenger.

Anyway there’s some lovely pics here

I know he has issues, but the sooner we bulk out our midfield with M’Villa the better.

Btw check out the ten most popular Premiership players here.



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Football

Villa, Sneijder, Zaha and the 10 most wanted players in the transfer window

By Stefano on December 31st, 2012
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So, there is just a few hours to go before paper talk can become reality and the winter transfer window opens. This winter expect some serious cash to be flying with Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool desperate to strengthen their squads to keep them in the frame for Champions League qualification, and Man City and Chelsea mulling over big money strikers.

Apparently ‘Arrry has £20 million to spend too.

So here then are the ten most coveted players in the window. I’d be very surprised if at least half of them weren’t wearing new colours come February.

10 Jack Butland

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10 Jack Butland
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Financial problems mean that Birmingham City might be forced to cash in on their England keeper with Liverpool FC apparently at the front of the queue and Southampton circling. Expect the fee to be around £5 million and if it is Liverpool Reina on his way out.



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