Kos-chell-ny? Ko-shell-ny? Kos-choo-cha-la... Pic via Daily Mail.
Unless an actual deal is completed, Hipster Gooner will keep you posted on all of the crazy transfer rumors and nonsense with a weekly feature called Transfer Lies and Slander! Throughout the window, moves that have officially been completed will be listed on the blog's frame to the right.
Enjoy the madness!
IN:
Laurent Koscielny (CB, from Lorient)
With William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre gone and possibly Sol Campbell too, Arsenal has a well-documented crisis at center back. Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou are currently the only players on the squad in this position. Arsenal is currently very close to completing a deal for Laurent Koscielny from Lorient in France's Ligue 1.
The Gunners have shipped Francis Coquelin in the opposite direction for a loan spell in order to sweeten the deal, but Lorient wants Arsenal to up their bid for Koscielny. Word from the Daily Mail is, there's a deal on the table, but it is being held back because Arsene Wenger, in South Africa covering the World Cup for French television, left his Blackberry in London and is unable to review the terms of the deal. How bizarre. In any case, it appears that this transfer is all but complete.
Now, is it "Kos-chell-ny" or "Ko-shell-ny" or neither? I imagine it's supposed to be the first, but most British commentators will say it the latter way.
Mark Schwarzer (GK, from Fulham)
We've covered the fact that Fulham has already denied one offer for their 37-year-old Australian goalkeeper, but word is that Arsenal have sent the Cottagers an updated offer, near £3.5 million. It is obvious that Arsenal needs an experienced goalkeeper to bridge the gap between current goalkeeper tandem Tweedledee and Tweedledum and goalkeeper of the future, Wojciech Szczesny.
Schwarzer, of course, did not have the best of World Cups for the Aussies, being at fault for at least two goals conceded by the Socceroos. It seems that many goalies linked with Arsenal (also notably Hugo Lloris of France) allowed a few howlers. Auditioning for the role of new Almunianski, are they?
Mesut Ozil (MF, from Werder Bremen)
Ozil has been linked with Arsenal in transfer windows past, but now the young star for the German national team is linked with a number of big name teams, including Chelsea and Manchester City. Arsenal may see Ozil as a replacement should they lose Cesc Fabregas, though Ozil is more of an attack minded midfielder, rather than a box-to-box playmaker like Cesc.
Of course, now Barcelona want Ozil too. Why do Barcelona think they have all the money in the world? They probably can't afford Fabregas alone, considering what Arsenal deserves to be paid for him, yet the Catalans think they can buy Fabregas, Ozil, Torres, and others in addition to already splashing for David Villa? Their Catalan egos are frustrating the rest of the world.
Federico Marchetti (GK, from Cagliari)
If Schwarzer does not work out for the Gunners, they've also been linked with Federico Marchetti of Cagliari in Serie A and the Italian national team. Like Schwarzer and Lloris, Marchetti did not have a great World Cup, replacing the injured Gianluigi Buffon. Who was the last Italian keeper to allow four goals in the group stage and not win a game? I'll wait for your answer because that's more research than I feel like doing right now.
In any case, this move looks highly unlikely. It seems like Marchetti won't move unless Cagliari receives "an offer he cannot refuse" (thanks for The Godfather reference, Sky Sports.)
Joe Cole (MF, from Chelsea)
Joe Cole is one of very few Chelsea players that I really don't hate on a personal level. Chelsea will be releasing the 28-year-old midfielder as of July 1 and there in interest in his services from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United. It is said that United is not, in fact, in the running, and there have been rumors that a deal with Arsenal has already been completed, but no word is likely to be announced until after the World Cup.
Renat Yanbaev (LB, from Lokomotiv Moscow)
Barcelona wants Gael Clichy, in addition to kidnapping Cesc Fabregas, which could leave Arsenal in need of another left back, assuming Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore are not yet ready to start. Considering I can't see Arsenal having much of a conversation with Barcelona over anybody right now, I don't really see this move being necessary, but there have been whispers that they have been looking at Renat Yanbaev, a 26-year-old Russian defender that can play on either the left or right side. Making this transfer even more unlikely is that fact that Yanbaev would not be awarded a work permit to play in England right away anyway.
OUT:
Cesc Fabregas (MF, to Barcelona)
I don't think I could say much here that you don't already know.
Gael Clichy (LB, to Barcelona)
Rumors that Clichy might leave to Barcelona, Real Madrid, or Juventus have been circulating slowly all summer, but Arsenal are not likely to be selling a young defender already under contract, given the team's general frailty at the position. The rumors will likely continue, but I would expect Clichy to stay.
William Gallas (CB, to Juventus)
It's no surprise: William Gallas will not play for Arsenal next year. I think we all know that.
He's not under contract either, so there's no transfer fee to discuss. Arsenal does have a one-year deal on the table, but Gallas wants more money (and I'm not so sure he deserves it), which leaves Gallas now looking at offers from Juventus (though he wants more money from them than they're offering), PSG, Roma, and the two big Greek sides in Athens. After a disastrous World Cup for France, I can't see Gallas getting the contract he desires; he's probably best to settle soon.
Alex Song (MF, to Galatasaray)
Turkish side Galatasaray have reportedly offered £4 million for the services of the Cameroonian holding midfielder and Arsenal have, unsurprisingly, said no. Arsene Wenger is likely to keep Song, the linchpin of the defensive midfield, until his contract expires in 2014.
Sol Campbell (CB, to Celtic)
Sol Campbell had a surprisingly successful return to North London last spring, but his contract has expired. While Arsenal has sent a one-year contract proposal his way, Campbell is taking his time in reviewing his options. Last year proved that Campbell still has it, and he is now hearing interest from Celtic of the SPL. Newcastle United have denied interest.
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