Wenger eyes transfer targets as Fabregas and Nasri near exit
Published:Arsene Wenger is preparing a whole host of moves with over £50 million available to spend on new players following the almost certain losses of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
A ball winning centre-half is what many Arsenal fans feel is missing from Wenger’s side and the Frenchman is reported to have already made enquires to Birmingham about 24-year-old Scott Dann.
Dann impressed assistant manager Pat Rice and chief scout Steve Rowley when they watched his performance in a behind-closed door friendly last week against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Merseyside-born centre-half has also attracted interest from home town club Liverpool; however, Kenny Dalglish is under instructions to offload players before any money can be made available.
With Arsenal’s new found wealth, they may well win the race for his signature.
Everton’s Phil Jagielka has also been linked with a move to the Emirates this summer, with a bid of £12millon tabled two weeks ago for the England man although this was immediately rejected with Everton holding out for a fee in the region of £20milion.
Another potential target who looks likely to soon become an Arsenal player is Valencia playmaker Juan Mata.
The Gunners have been rumoured to be interested in the 23-year-old World Cup winner and will gain his services with a bid of £17.5million.
Fabregas looks set to leave the Emirates and seal his long protracted move back to boyhood club Barcelona with the fee for the Catalan is reported to be in the region of £35 million.
Between £22 and £24million will also be made available to Wenger following Samir Nasri’s likely move to Manchester City.
Arsenal are currently at 10/1 to be crowned Premier League Champions and at 4/7 to finish in the top four.
The loss of both Fabregas and Nasri would seriously affect their chances, but with extra defensive cover able to be brought in they will become a more compact side.
The addition of Mata will also ensure creativity remains in the team.
