da spicy bet：
da fazobetai： We all mull through transfer rumours every day, be it reading a newspaper on the train home, on the iPad while grazing over a bowl of cereal, or a quick gander at Sky Sports News before bedtime. But we all know that the vast majority of them are complete nonsense, dreamed up by some overworked journalist scared they’re about to get the sack from the Daily Mail.But every now and then, should one be able to comb the wealth of misinformation in front of them, a transfer rumour eventually proves true.And with that in mind, here’s FIVE January window-based rumours involving Arsenal that we at Football FanCast think might actually happen.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON ARSENE WENGER TO OPEN UP A CAN OFÂCOLD, HARDÂTRANSFERÂRUMOURS [/ffc-gallery]
FABIAN SCHAR
Arsenal desperately need another centre-back in January and FC Basel prodigy Fabian Schar fits the bill perfectly.
Not only was the 22 year-old statistically the best defender in the Champions League last season:
…followed up this term with an equally impressive performance against Liverpool in Group B:
But a January move away from St. Jakob-Park now seems inevitable, with the Swiss international’s contract entering its final six months and a new deal unlikely after Schar’s revelation that he ‘needs a team with important prospects’.
Wenger will reportedly be given £20million this January, so the £10million-rated defender more than fits into his budget. Here’s a clip of Schar in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/ZpiVFCUXbz0?rel=0
But Arsenal are by no means the 6 foot 1 defender’s only suitors; he’s been linked with a variety of clubs, ranging from Barcelona to Tottenham and several in Serie A, over the last 18 months.
WINSTON REID
In a similar vein to Fabian Schar, if Arsene Wenger’s looking for a quick fix at centre-back this January, he’ll likely turn to West Ham’s Winston Reid.
The 26 year-old may not be the most talented footballer to ever grace the Emirates, but a master of the nuts and bolts of the defensive trade, his simple-yet-effective style could be the perfect counterbalance to Arsenal’s more flamboyant philosophy. Think a modern day, equally as awkward and elbowy Martin Keown.
Here’s a clip of the New Zealand skipper in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/vhYZjrgfBsA?rel=0
Furthermore, Reid’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and Hammers co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that the centre-back wants European football.
It was first assumed the 6 foot 3 defender’s Upton Park future would resultantly depend on where the Irons finish this season, but The Times claim he’s now been given a transfer ultimatum:
If Reid doesn’t pen his new £60k contract by mid-January, he’ll reportedly be sold, but Manchester United are strongly linked too:
William Carvalho
Admittedly, Arsenal spending anywhere above the £20million mark on a single player in January seems a little hard to believe.
But Arsene Wenger told BeIN sport he wants to sign a physical midfielder back in September:
And there’s been some interesting developments regarding well-known Gunners target William Carvalho since the north London side’s alleged deadline day bid for the Sporting Lisbon enforcer:
First of all, the 22 year-old’s improved contract, alleged in September, is yet to materialise, following prior reports that he had actively rejected a new deal.
Secondly, the Portugal international claimed in October that a move to the Premier League or La Liga will happen ‘sooner or later’.
And thirdly, Sporting are on the verge of striking a deal to take the full rights of all their third-party owned players, including Carvalho, meaning the debt-ridden club will receive the maximum profits from selling the midfielder in January and Arsenal won’t have to deal with any complicated legal issues.
Is that enough to suggest Arsenal will pounce in the New Year? Perhaps not, but it significantly increases the likelihood of Carvalho leaving between now and next season. Here’s a clip of the Portuguese prodigy in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Dld9uMC2jyE?rel=0
JOEL CAMPBELL
After netting this absolute stunner against Manchester United during a year-long loan with Olympiacos last season:
And also scoring for Costa Rica at the World Cup:
//www.youtube.com/embed/WCvkYIxupkY?rel=0
Many expected young winger-forward Joel Campbell to be thurst into first team action at the Emirates this season.
Unfortunately however, he’s amassed just 37 minutes in the Premier League, in no small part due to Wenger splashing out around £50million on forward duo Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez during the summer.
Although the South American has dismissed reports he’s unhappy at Arsenal via a video interview on his personal website:
//www.youtube.com/embed/D5mbmQs5_ek?rel=0
…the 22 year-old’s agent claims he wanted to join either Serie A or Roma during the summer:
Still struggling for game time, a Serie A switch could be rekindled, whilst Everton have also been thrown into the mix:
But having refused to rule one out earlier this month, it seems Arsene Wenger would be keener on a loan deal than letting Campbell leave permanently.
YOHAN CABAYE
Not much about this transfer rumour makes sense; the last thing Arsenal need is another slender-built holding player and Yohan Cabaye has denied reports that he’ll leave PSG in January.
Yet, in the crazily paradoxical mind of Arsene Wenger, you can see this deal actually happening. The Gunners gaffer clearly likes his deep-lying playmakers of the Mikel Arteta mould and the former Newcastle star, who bagged 17 goals in 79 Premier League appearances for the Toon, fits the bill perfectly, famed for his cultured feet and occasionally gritty defending. Here’s a clip of Cabaye in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/y7WFUWe5x_w?rel=0
He’s also French, a nationality which always sits well with the Emirates boss, and despite proclaiming his loyalty to the Parisians, for now, the 28 year-old will undoubtedly be sounding out offers in January after making just six starts in all competitions this season.
Would Arsenal fans be particularly pleased with this transfer? Probably not, but that’s never stopped Wenger before.
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