Latest Football Transfer News 26-08-2012

[<<ELVIS>>]

Wenger still in the market

Gunners boss wants to bring in the right quality
Last Updated: August 26, 2012 5:12pm


Arsene Wenger: Arsenal manager expects to make another signing before the transfer window closes


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger anticipates doing business before the transfer window closes, providing the right quality of player is available.
Wenger has signed Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla this summer, but has also seen Robin van Persie and Alex Song make high-profile departures from the Emirates Stadium.
He was interested in signing Nuri Sahin on loan from Real Madrid before the Turkey international joined Premier League rivals Liverpool for the season.


Still struggling for goals



Reports suggested that Sahin was not quite the type of defensive midfielder that Wenger was looking for, but the Gunners boss says he is not targeting a particular position to strengthen.
"I'm pleased with what we've done but I anticipate we will do something and we are still on the market," Wenger told Sky Sports after the 0-0 draw at Stoke City.


"It depends on the quality of players who are available. If we can find somebody who can strengthen our squad with the quality we want we will do it in any position."
Speculation in Sunday's newspapers had linked Newcastle United's midfield duo Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote with £15million moves to Arsenal.

[<<ELVIS>>]

AC Milan lose interest in Kaka deal
Last Updated: August 26 2012, 18:52 BST

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is prepared to abandon the club's pursuit of Kaka if Real Madrid continue to hold out for a permanent transfer.



Kaka: Linked with Real Madrid exit
The Brazilian playmaker has been the subject of frequent meetings between the Rossoneri and the Primera Division champions over the summer.
But coach Jose Mourinho insists the 30-year-old will only be permitted to leave Real on a permanent deal as the Spanish outfit continue their pursuit of Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric.


With the transfer window due to close on Friday night, Galliani is eager to stress that Milan will not be forced into paying over the odds for their former star, who left the San Siro in 2009.
Galliani told Sky Sport Italia: "The deal depends on Real Madrid. They only want to sell Kaka permanently whereas we want him on loan.
"If they change their minds I'm ready to fly to Madrid, otherwise nothing will happen.


"We have five central midfielders and five wingers and I would say we're totally covered."
Galatasaray have cooled their own interest in bringing the Ballon d'Or winner to Turkey.
Chairman Unal Aysal told Milliyet: "What would Kaka do in this team? Do I really have much of a need for him?"

[<<ELVIS>>]

Song wanted Arsenal stay
Last Updated: August 26 2012, 12:57 BST


Alex Song: Joined Barcelona from Arsenal


Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song has claimed he only left the Emirates for Barcelona as the Gunners would not talk to him about a new deal.
The Cameroon international became the second high-profile player to depart the north London club this summer in the wake of Robin van Persie's move to Manchester United.
And while the striker's announcement that he would not be extending his stay under Arsene Wenger hastened his departure, Song insists that he had shown nothing but loyalty to Arsenal.


The 24-year-old, who was sold to the Spanish giants in a £15million deal, says he was ready to pledge his long-term future to the Gunners, only to be 'fobbed off'.
Song told The Sun: "I was ready to commit my future to the club. All I wanted were talks about a new contract but each time we were due to sit down, the club postponed it. I was fobbed off.
"I wanted a new five-year contract at Arsenal. In the end I got one - at Barcelona.
"I had been trying for eight months to start talking about a new long-term deal but the club kept postponing me all the time, saying 'You have three years left'.


"I hadn't talked about money I just wanted to sit down and discuss a new deal - I wanted to commit my career to the club I loved.
"Then out of the blue, Barcelona came in for me. And, suddenly, I was wanted by the biggest club in the world and they wanted to give me a five-year deal."
Song has also hit back at reports which suggested his exit from the Emirates was due to a poor attitude in training and a fall-out with manager Wenger.


He added: "I woke up and read those things in the paper and was really surprised and disappointed. I love Arsenal, I never wanted to leave.
"I'm really upset. These accusations are hurtful, they are slurs on my character. I have the utmost respect for Arsene Wenger. I loved him like a father and he is a fantastic coach.
"He made me the player I am and I am indebted to him for that. There was never any trouble between us, so for someone within the club to suggest that really upsets me.


"If Arsenal thought I wasn't enthusiastic in training then maybe it was I didn't understand that I was contributing on the pitch and they didn't want to sit down with me."

[<<ELVIS>>]

VVV wait on Yoshida offer

Celtic reported to have watched defender against ADO Den Haag
Last Updated: August 26, 2012 11:54am


Maya Yoshida: Japan's VVV Venlo defender has been linked with a move to Celtic


VVV Venlo general manager Hans Soentjens says he is waiting to see if Celtic make an offer for Japan international Maya Yoshida before the transfer window closes.


Yoshida impressed for Japan during the Olympic football tournament and was a target for Aston Villa earlier in the summer before the Premier League club signed Ron Vlaar.
Southampton have also been linked with a bid for the 23-year-old, but Celtic are reported to have watched Yoshida in Saturday's 4-2 defeat by ADO Den Haag.
A £2million fee has been mooted for Yoshida and Soentjens claims SPL champions Celtic have registered their interest in the defender.
Waiting

"Celtic have officially contacted us to make their serious interest known," Soentjens is quoted in the Sunday Mirror. "We are now waiting for their offer."
Before the weekend, Celtic boss Neil Lennon confirmed he was impressed by Yoshida at the Olympics, but played down reports of an imminent bid for him and compatriot Yuki Otsu, the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder.


Lennon said: "He (Otsu) is a player we like but we will probably not do anything this window and we will keep tabs on him for now.
"I am aware of Yoshida, I watched him play for Japan against Spain, and I liked the look of him but with regards us being interested or making an offer it is pure speculation at the minute."