Juventus Chase Van Persie

Arsenal ace one of three transfer targets for Italian giants

Gunners captain Robin Van Persie is thought to be the subject of some admiration from newly-crowned Serie A champions Juventus, although it has not been confirmed whether or not a bid will be made.

The dutchman is not the only attacker they have been linked with, however, as Juventus are said to also be interested in signing Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain. Of course, the Italians are not the first team to be linked with Arsenal’s talismanic forward in the lead up to the Summer transfer window opening, with interest reportedly coming from Manchester City, Real Madrid, AC Milan and a number of other high profile clubs. With only one year left on his contract it is looking likely that he will leave, although Arsene Wenger remains confident he can keep him at the club beyond the summer.

Vertonghen Drops Spurs Hint

Ajax defender reveals that deal is close

Much coveted defender Jan Vertonghen has dropped a strong hint to where his future may lie, with the Ajax star suggesting that he wishes to join Tottenham in the summer.

Both Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with Eridivisie Player of the Year, but the 25-year-old seems now to be headed to White Hart Lane instead. Vertonghen said that Tottenham is a ‘fantastic, traditional club’ who ‘buy young, eager and offensive-minded players’.

With the Spurs squad lacking any quality at centre back (other than the crocked Ledley King), Vertonghen seems to be almost the perfect signing and would be a small consolation for Harry Redknapp following his disappointment at not being offered the England management position.

Podolski set for move to Arsenal

Reports claim that German ace is headed to Emirates

With speculation mounting over the future of Arsenal’s star player, Robin Van Persie, it comes as little surprise that the London club are looking at potential replacements. Reports from Germany have suggested that Arsenal have agreed a fee of around £10.9 million for Lukas Podolski, currently playing at Cologne in the Bundesliga.

Robin Van Persie is looking more and more likely to leave Arsenal in the summer, with teams such as Milan and Man City supposedly lining up bids for the Dutch star. If he does move, then perhaps Podolski is the perfect replacement. They are very similar in many ways; they are both left-footed, both like to run at defenders and they both have an exceptional eye for goal. In signing Podolski they will not just have signed a player who possesses the attacking quality to score goals, however, they will have signed a player with experience as well. Although he is only 26, he has already managed to make 95 appearances for Germany and play in two world cups.

Robin Van Persie is not guaranteed to leave Arsenal, of course. He loves the club and if he is offered a good enough contract there is a strong chance he might choose to stay. If this is the case then Arsene Wenger may have to change his current tactic, employing a 4-4-2 instead of his preffered 4-3-3. Podolski can play on the left, but is more effective through the middle, similarly to Van Persie himself and so Arsenal may be encouraged to line them up alongside each other up front.

Cologne have not confirmed the deal yet, but it looks very likely that Podolski will complete his move to Arsenal in the summer… a good piece of business by Arsene Wenger.