Rumour: Arsenal to activate Julian Draxler’s release clause

According to Daily Star, Arsenal are ready to bid for Schalke forward Julian Draxler even after discovering that he has a £40million buy-out clause on his current contract. This means Arsenal are about to splash £40million  on yet another German international.

Arsenal to activate Julian Draxler’s release clause

Julian Draxler has all the required skills like dribbling, ball control, vision and shooting to be an instant success at Emirates just like Mesut Ozil. Draxler was linked with Arsenal during last summer window too, but the move never materialized for some unknown reasons.

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Wenger reveals positive Arsenal contract talks

Arsene Wenger says he has held positive talks over extending his contract with Arsenal.

Goal reported in June that the 63-year-old has already held preliminary talks with the club's officials regarding an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2014.

Wenger confirmed negotiations have taken place with Arsenal's chief executive Ivan Gazidis but insists his position will come under threat if the club fail to progress next season.

“The talks went well and it’s not a problem. But I will not use my longevity as an advantage to stay in this position if I don’t do well," Wenger told reporters.

“My future will depend on how well I do. I don’t just assume I will always be here.

“I’ve always shown my loyalty to this club and I don’t need to prove anything on that. But I want to do well for Arsenal so this is an important season for me.”

Wenger also played down reports which claimed he was keen on a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, before the French champions appointed Laurent Blanc as their successor to Carlo Ancelotti.

“People are always linking me with PSG because I am French and I know the owners," he said.

“But if I wanted to go to PSG I would be there already. I’m not because my heart is with Arsenal and they are always my priority."

Source : Goal

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Eintracht Frankfurt end interest in Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner

Eintracht Frankfurt have ended their interest in Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner after failing to agree personal terms.

Frankfurt chairman Heribert Bruchhagen announced earlier on Thursday that a deal was in doubt.

The plug has now been pulled, despite a fee having been agreed with Arsenal.

Bendtner was open to the idea of moving to Germany, after being deemed surplus to requirements at Emirates Stadium, but his wage demands have proved to be a sticking point.

Frankfurt are now believed to have turned their attention to Sparta Prague's Czech Republic international Vaclav Kadlec.

On the breakdown in discussions with Bendtner, sporting director Bruno Hubner told the club's official website: "We would like to thank Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for the constructive conversations and the high level of cooperation.

"There was interest from all three parts, but in the end it did not match up."

Bendtner is still expected to be on the move this summer, but has one year remaining on his contract at Arsenal if now agreement is reached.

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Vermaelen to miss Arsenal pre-season tour

Arsenal have confirmed that captain Thomas Vermaelen will not join them on their pre-season tour of Asia.

The Belgium international is struggling with a back injury and will remain in London to recover with the help of the club's medical department. 

The defender has been a regular fixture for Arsenal since signing from Ajax in 2009, and played in 29 matches in all competitions last season.

Reports suggest his chronic back problem could cause him to miss the start of the 2013-14 Premier League season, but Vermaelen has pledged to get back to full fitness as quickly as possible.

"Unfortunately, due to a back injury I can’t join my team mates on the Asia Tour the next few weeks. I will be staying in London ... to receive the right treatment. Of course I will do my best to return on the pitch soon, and I will keep you posted on my progress," the 27-year-old said. 

Arsenal commence their tour with a match against the Indonesia Dream Team on Sunday before taking on Nagoya Grampus and Urawa Red Diamonds. 

They will then continue their preparations with Emirates Cup matches against Napoli and Galatasaray which take place on August 3 and 4 respectively
.

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Grenier snubs Arsenal to sign new Lyon deal

Clement Grenier has ended all speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Olympique Lyonnais until the summer of 2016 amid strong interest from Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger recently admitted he was attracted by the prospect of bringing the 22-year-old to the Premier League, but Grenier has decided to extend his stay with his current club.

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Arsenal prepare €40m Suarez bid

Arsene Wenger's main focus has now switched to the controversial Liverpool forward, as the Gunners continue to struggle to agree a fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain.

Arsenal are preparing a €40.7 million offer for wantaway Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

The Gunners will make a concerted push to sign the Uruguay international after contacting the Merseyside club last week about his availability.

There were reports on Monday that Arsenal had made a €34.9m bid for Suarez but the the north London outfit are ready to pay up to €40.7m for the Reds attacker.

It is understood that Arsene Wenger has switched his main focus to capturing Suarez because Arsenal are still struggling to agree a fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain.

The Gunners do not anticipate making any signings before they depart for their pre-season tour of Asia on Thursday, but they are actively trying recruit a marquee striker.

Suarez is regarded by Wenger as an upgrade on Higuain, who came close to joining Arsenal at the end of last week after they made an improved offer of €26.9m.

However, Madrid are holding out for €29.7m for the Argentine, and, although Arsenal's interest in Higuain is still alive and a deal has not been ruled out, Wenger has decided to explore other elite options.

With the biggest transfer kitty in Arsenal's history available to him this summer, the Frenchman sanctioned the shock move for Suarez last week.

The Gunners' enquiry was met with a 'hands-off' warning by Liverpool, who are fighting to hold on to a player who has spoken frequently this summer of his interest in a move, most specifically to Real Madrid.

Arsenal will now make a concerted push for Suarez after learning from the Uruguayan's camp that he is interested in a move to the Emirates as he pursues his ambition of playing Champions League football next season.

In an interview given to the Uruguayan radio station Sport 890 on Tuesday, Suarez claimed that "two or three clubs" want to sign him and that he values interest from Arsenal.

He laughed off reported interest from Chelsea but admitted he is prepared to interrupt a holiday in his native Uruguay should a potential transfer develop.

"Are there any concrete options? No, so far there hasn't been any. There are two or three clubs who I think are willing and the club knows that.

"I have to present myself on the July 21 with Liverpool for their tour of Australia but no one knows what could happen. I've already said what I have to say, and initially I have to be there on July 21 but maybe a phone call one day can change all your plans.

"For now everything is going well. I am very calm but initially I am meant to present myself on July 21 but, like I said, no one knows what can happen."

There is understood to be a clause in Suarez’s contract that allows him to ask for permission to speak to other clubs if they make a €46.5m offer. However, Liverpool are believed to want €58m for their prize asset.

Intriguingly, Suarez’s stance on wishing to leave England has appeared to have softened in the wake of the interest from Arsenal and the absence of an official move from Madrid. 

"I have to value that; despite everything that's happened, [English] clubs still value players for what they can do on the field," he said. 

"That makes me think that I can come back and do well over there. It's good that the English clubs still want me."

Wenger plans to use a warchest of up to €116m to make at least two marquee signings this summer, most likely in the striker and central midfield positions.

Source : Goal

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Perez insists that Real Madrid want Higuain to stay

The Blancos president says the club still hope to keep the Argentina international at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and insists Arsenal have made no approach

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has insisted that the Liga giants want Gonzalo Higuain to stay with the club. 

The Argentina international has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, as Arsene Wenger looks to bolster his forward line ahead of the new season.

However, speaking to Univision, Perez was adamant the Liga runners-up still hoped to retain Higuain, and indicated the club are yet to receive an official bid from the Gunners. 

"We don't want Higuain to leave," he said. "What's more no-one from Arsenal has come to us and made us any offers at all for him.

"There are no offers on the table."

Higuain was Madrid's second highest goalscorer in La Liga last season, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 16 goals in 28 appearances for the club.

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David Villa signed by Atletico Madrid

The Liga club look set to beat Tottenham to the signing of the Spain international having reached an agreement with the Catalan giants for a fee that could rise to £4.4 million

Barcelona have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid over the transfer of forward David Villa.

The Spain international will move to the Vicente Calderon, subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing of a medical, in a deal worth an estimated £4.4 million, with £2.6m being paid if Villa remains an Atletico player during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns. 

The Catalan giants will also retain 50% from any future transfer involving the former Valencia striker.

Tottenham had emerged as the front runners to sign the 31-year-old attacker, with Goal exclusively revealing last month that Villa had given the green light over a move to White Hart Lane.

Atletico appear to have gazumped Spurs and won the race for his signature, however, as they search for a replacement for Radamel Falcao, who sealed a big-money move to Monaco back in May.
The Madrid club, who finished third in La Liga last season, had been in the hunt for Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo although Manchester City now appear favourites to sign the 27-year-old Spaniard, with top target Edinson Cavani expected to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Villa joined Barca in 2010 from fellow La Liga side Valencia and has scored 48 goals in 119 appearances across all competitions.

Source : Goal

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Confirmed: Benjamin Mendy has trained with Marseille ahead of his virtually definite move from Le Havre.

Benjamin Mendy does look set to be heading to Marseille and has trained with the French side today. A move looks pretty much definite now as he has now passed his medical with the club. Here is a picture of him training with Marseille today.

La Provence are now reporting that the player is likely to snub a move with Sunderland and instead move to Marseille. They are claiming that this could be a done deal as early as today. We are unable to confirm this, but a supposed move to Sunderland does appear to have broken down for the moment.

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Liverpool reject £30million bid from Arsenal for wantaway star Luis Suarez.

Liverpool insist that the South American is not for sale, and the Arsenal valuation – believed to be less than the £35 million fee Merseyside club paid for Andy Carroll two years ago – has taken many by surprise.

Liverpool have been braced for such approaches since the end of last season, although it was expected that Real Madrid would lead the chase particularly given the player’s claims of unhappiness in English football.

Arsenal felt suitably encouraged to contact Anfield officials to register their desire to buy the 26-year-old Uruguayan. It has now emerge

d that it went beyond an inquiry, and although neither club is prepared to comment on the discussions or clarify the precise amount offered it is clear it was unacceptable to Liverpool.

Liverpool have never wavered from their position that they would not welcome any bid for Suárez, despite his recent proclamations desiring a move abroad.

[Source : Telegraph]

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Manchester United winger Nani, 26, could join Roma this summer, his agent Jorge Mendes has revealed.

Nani’s future at United is currently up in the air with the 26-year-old believed to be considering a move away after failing to receive assurances over playing time.

Real Madrid, Juventus and even United’s Premier League rivals Arsenal have been linked with bids for the winger, but Roma have now emerged as a more likely option.

And according to his agent, Nani could well end up signing for them this summer.

‘Nani is a good player – the whole world knows it,’ Mendes told Radio Mana.

‘Will he go to Roma? Why not?

‘Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world and Rome is a beautiful city. There is the possibility that he will leave United, but at the minute nothing is concrete.

‘We will meet Manchester United and see, but there is interest.’

Nani is already believed to have spoken to new manager David Moyes to discuss his role, but was told he will not be guaranteed regular match action.

The former Sporting Lisbon ace has just 12 months left on his current contract, and has previously indicated he will not be penning a new deal at Old Trafford.

Galatasaray looked like bagging Nani last month but refused to meet United’s £8.5million price tag. [Source : Metro] 

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Arsenal and Chelsea remain interested in Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27.

Manchester United stars have had enough of the Wayne Rooney sideshow.

Chelsea and Arsenal remain ­convinced Rooney can be prised out of Old Trafford this summer, despite new manager David Moyes insisting the striker will not be sold.

Moyes has met with Rooney, but would not ­reveal whether the 27-year-old striker had told him he wants to stay at United.

With only two years left on Rooney’s United ­contract, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Arsenal manager ­Arsene Wenger are refusing to give up the chase.

[Source : Mirror ]

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Arsenal begin talks with Arsene Wenger over new contract as board look to secure boss's long-term future

But a new deal - thought to be at least another three years - will not be signed over the next month as the club prepares for the new season [Source : Mirror]

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Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin joins Freiburg on loan Last Updated: July 5, 2013 12:10pm

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has joined German side SC Freiburg on a season-long loan deal.

The France U21 international has made a total of 43 appearances for the Gunners since joining the club as a 17-year-old in 2008.

Coquelin was part of the Arsenal squad that won the FA Youth Cup in 2009 and made his first-team debut in September of the same year, starting against West Brom in the third round of the League Cup.

The 22-year-old was then loaned out to French side Lorient for the 2010-11 season but returned a year later and quickly became a regular fixture in manager Arsene Wenger's matchday squad.

His Premier League debut was one to forget, coming in the 8-2 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford in August 2011 but his ability to operate at both left and right-back saw him make a further 17 appearances that campaign.

Coquelin was rewarded with a new long-term contract in January 2012 and played a further 22 times for the north London club last season.

A brief statement on the Arsenal website said: "Everyone at Arsenal wishes Francis success for his time in Germany."

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Szalai delight at move

Adam Szalai is overjoyed to join Schalke from Mainz and says he's fully fit after his back injury.

The 25-year-old striker, who was closely followed by Arsenal, has put pen to paper and he is delighted to have finally sealed the move.

"I feel great at Schalke, my new team-mates, the team officials and the fans greeted me kindly," he said.

"In the summer I had enough time to recover from my injury, so there's nothing wrong with my back."

Meanwhile, Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has officially confirmed his club have reached an agreement with second-tier Bochum for Germany

U19 international starlet Leon Goretzka.

The agreement brings to an end the disharmony between both clubs over the summer move for the teenage midfielder.

Heldt told Deutsche Presseagentur: "We've been to Bochum and discussed it with VfL Bochum.

"We attempted to have a fair solution in this affair. All parties have had their mind set on an agreement as we all wanted to prevent Leon Goretzka having a court trial with regard to this."

Heldt also confirmed a new deal for left back Sead Kolasinac.

"Sead played a great season in his first real year in the Bundesliga," said Heldt.

"He improved month on month and even established himself as a first-team regular in the second half of the season. He managed that because he's an ambitious player and has a great mentality which we desperately need here at Schalke."

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Real Betis wait on Arsenal striker Joel Campbell

Real Betis are waiting to hear if Arsenal striker Joel Campbell can return to the club on loan.

The Costa Rican, who joined the Gunners in 2011, spent last season at the Primera Liga outfit, scoring twice in 28 league appearances.

After helping the Andalusian side to an impressive seventh-place finish, the 21-year-old's agent Joaquim Batica has previously confirmed the club want to extend his loan.

But Real Betis sporting director Vlada Stosic admits they are unsure whether he will return.

Stosic told Radio Sevilla: "We want the player to continue for one more season with us, but we have heard no news from the Gunners."

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