Transfer news kicking us off this morning and it looks like it’s one in, one out.
On his way in is Bakary Sagna who has, it appears, agreed personal terms on a 5 year contract. While most of the hard work is done there remains the fee to sort out with Auxerre who are lookin for somewhere in the region of £7.5m. I’ve expressed my slight confusion at the need to buy a right back previously but if AW has looked and seen that it’s an area of the pitch through which we concede a lot of goals then fair enough. Sagna himself claims he’s coming to play, saying:
I have not left in order to sit on the bench.
And who can blame him? The Sun claims to have a picture of him trying on what looks to be the number 3 shirt at the Grove last night and says the fee is around £6m.
On his way out appears to be Freddie Ljungberg with his agent confirming that Fiorentina have spoken to Arsenal. He said:
The two clubs are in discussions. If they come to an agreement, Fredrik can think about looking at a move. He is really happy at Arsenal, but if it is an option, he could also consider a move to Fiorentina.
Not a huge surprise really but if he goes and Sagna comes in we’ll have three right backs and be down an experienced, if not especially effective (in the last couple of seasons) wide player. I suspect that Freddie’s tired legs along with his big pay-packet means we’ll be saying goodbye to him. The fee of £5.5m is very good, if you ask me, but given the massive pay cut Freddie will have to take to go to Fiorentina it might end up a bit lower than that.
Things are obviously happening behind the scenes but those concerned about the depth of our squad might be a little concerned about the one in-one out type of movement. Still, plenty more time to bring in more players. I suspect Ken Friar is flying around Europe in his own personal microlight sorting out deals left, right and centre.
The Sun, also in the Sagna piece above, reports that Arsene Wenger is ‘furious’ with William Gallas but will not take disciplinary action despite feeling ‘let down’. Awww. I was hoping for a public flogging or at least placing him in the Big Brother house for a week to see how he likes that. I’m not sure how anyone can be surprised though. He was a mouthy, annoying cunt when he played for Chelsea, why would he be any different because he plays for us?
And that’s it. I have a very sore elbow this morning after cracking it off somebody else’s elbow, or possibly their head, when playing football last night. I wore my new lucky Arsenal socks that I bought at the weekend. I’m telling you, the hoops make your calves look very powerful indeed.We lost 4-0.
Till tomorrow.
