Wenger Can Do Nothing about Suarez and Liverpool’s Dispute
Arsene Wenger says that Luis Suarez’s contractual dispute with Liverpool is not his problem, and he will be a mere spectator as this transfer saga reaches its climax.
Suarez is expected to take legal action against his own club for what he believes is a violation of the buy-out clause in his contract. He is likely to hand in a transfer request too, which would take hostilities between him and the Reds to unprecedented level. But during this entire process, Wenger says there is nothing much he or his club can do, and the two disputing parties would have to resolve their issues without their help.
Al Jazeera Sport have quoted the Gunners boss as saying: “At the moment the situation is on standby. I heard that [Suarez is considering legal action to force a move], but this is sometimes linked with things that you don’t know as a potential buyer.
“That is the story between Suarez and Liverpool and I don’t know what has been said, what has been promised and what has been written and that is only Suarez and Liverpool that can decide that. It is nothing to do with us. We have been told that the player wants to leave Liverpool and that is why we have acted. I really don’t know what will be decided by Liverpool.”
Phil Thompson Baffled By Suarez’s Arsenal Desire
Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson is baffled by Luis Suarez’s desire to join Arsenal because he believes that the Merseysiders could fulfill his desire of playing Champions League football faster than the Gunners.
Ignoring the fact that all that stands between Arsenal and Champions League football is a two-legged triumph over one of Real Sociedad, Pacos de Ferreira, PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce or Metalist Kharkiv, the 59-year-old claimed that Liverpool are good enough to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition themselves next season, and so Suarez’s shouldn’t be edging for a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Thompson said: “This is Arsenal bidding for him and Arsenal haven’t even qualified yet for the Champions League. Who knows what might happen? They haven’t even got that yet and he’s wanting to go to Arsenal for Champions League football. Certainly he’s going to get the same media attention and the same difficulties as he’s had at Liverpool, so is it going to be any different at Arsenal?
“And if Arsenal don’t make another signing, which has been known, before the deadline happens at the start of September then where does that leave Arsenal? With Liverpool’s signings, they could be challenging Arsenal for a top-four place next year. Why choose Arsenal ahead of Liverpool?”
Meanwhile, The Daily Star has claimed that the Gunners will soon up their bid for Suarez to £51million.
Gunners Want Gundogan; Gustavo Fallback Option
Arsenal are tracking German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan but would turn their attention to Bayern Munich’s Luiz Gustavo if they fail to sign the Borussia Dortmund star.
According to The Mirror, Die Borussen currently have no intention of selling him, but an offer in excess of £20million could force their hand.
Gundogan’s father though wants his son to stay and sign an extension with the Bundesliga club. In an interview with Kicker, he said: “I am keen to ensure he (Ilkay) remains with Borussia Dortmund. He is doing fine so it’s a bit early to move to a club in England or Spain at this point in time.”
“Borussia Dortmund will be coming up with an offer of a new contract soon. We will be able to oversee things much better then,” he added.
While Gundogan is most certainly not available, another Germany-based central midfielder is. Bayern Munich’s summer spending spree means that their holding midfielder Luiz Gustavo is surplus to their requirements, and Arsenal could swoop in for him. They would have to act quickly though as Wolfsburg are also very keen to recruit him.
Ginter Not for Sale
Arsenal FC have been told by Bundesliga club SC Freiburg that their talented youngster Matthias Ginter is not for sale.
Earlier this week, speculation was rife that the Gunners are close to landing the 19-year-old midfielder in a £6.1million deal, but Freiburg’s sporting director Joachim Saier has totally rubbished those reports and made it clear that the player is going nowhere.
He said: “There have been no offers for Matthias, and to suggest we have agreed a fee, as mentioned, is nonsense. The fact of the matter is, we have no thoughts about selling him.”
Bernard Moves to Shakhtar
Just a day after claiming that his move to Shakhtar Donetsk is not certain, Brazil starlet and rumoured Arsenal FC transfer target, Bernard, has joined the Ukrainian giants from Atletico Mineiro for a transfer fee of €25million.
The two clubs had come to an agreement a few days ago, but the player remained non-committal in his last interview. He was also spotted in London recently, fuelling speculation that either Arsenal or Tottenham might have showed last-minute interest to sign him, but that wasn’t the case.
“Shakhtar Donetsk signed a five-year deal with Bernard. The transfer fee for the Brazilian midfielder, who previously played for Atletico Mineiro, is 25million euros,” a statement on Shakhtar.com read.
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