Morning all, it’s a fairly quiet one today. Not too much happening.
The Mirror says Lilian Thuram is considering a move to Arsenal and while he’s exactly the sort of player we need to bring in he’s been all over the newspapers here saying how much he’d like to play for Barcelona. Whether Barcelona want or need him is another matter though.
From our point of view he’d be the perfect signing. Experienced and talented. Our young centre-halves could learn a lot from him and at 34 he wouldn’t hamper their development by being around forever. Perhaps the French connection might work in our favour.
Update: Press reports in Spain today say Barcelona came to an agreement yesterday to sign Thuram and Zambrotta. Nothing confirmed officially though.
The Sun says Ashley Cole could be a Chelsea player by the end of the week. If he does leave I think we have to bring in a left-back. Gael Clichy is the obvious replacement but he’s injured so much it’s hard to have confidence that he’d manage a whole campaign.
At some stage soon I’ll take a look at the squad and where I think we need to strengthen. Not today though. I’m too hungover and it’s too hot.
Frank Ribery is staying with Marseille according to their sporting director Barba Papa.
Nicklas Bendtner will ‘look at other alternatives’ if he’s not included in the Arsenal squad this season, according to his agent. Does that mean he’ll consider a career in plumbing or do an electrician’s apprenticeship? A loan deal to Rangers has been suggested but it’s hard to see him break into the first team at only 18 despite his obvious talent.
Madrid are still sniffing around Cesc, say Marca. “We’ll sell Cesc if you give us Baptista and Robinho”, is the answer they supposedly got from Arsenal. They should probably give up now.
Right, that’s it. More to follow. Tomorrow.
