Djourou Wanted By Hannover
Arsenal outcast Johan Djourou is a January transfer target for Hannover 96, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.
The Swiss centre-half isn’t considered an integral part of coach Arsene Wenger’s first-team squad anymore and has played just two senior matches for the club so far this season.
He was close to leaving the Gunners for Serie A in the summer but interest from other clubs never materialised into anything concrete. However, Hannover chief Martin Kind has admitted that he would like to sign Djourou this month and they have already opened talks with the Londoners to make that deal happen.
BILD newspaper have quoted Kind as saying: “I am able to confirm that we are very interested in bringing Johan Djourou to the AWD-Arena. He is on our short list of names and there have been some concrete talks with Arsenal going on.”
The club’s GM Jorg Schmadtke then revealed that they are only pursuing a loan deal at the moment, since Djourou has a long-term contract with Arsenal.
“We do intend to loan the player first until the end of the season and we will make a decision on his future,” he added.
Walcott on Verge of Signing New Deal
Theo Walcott could be on the verge of extending his expiring contract with Arsenal FC, as it is thought that his reps will try and thrash out an agreement with the club when the two parties next meet. (The Daily Mail)
The 23-year-old and the club officials have had several rounds of discussions over a new deal in the last few months but none of them have produced any results. However, Walcott’s comments after Arsenal’s 7-3 beating of Newcastle United last weekend indicated that an agreement is just around the corner.
“I’m sure that something will be sorted very soon. I’ve always said I wanted to stay and I enjoy playing for this team. Now we will just see what happens. I will continue to play my football and let the people who look after me and the club talk to each other and go from there,” the winger said.
Arsene Wenger seemed equally positive about Walcott’s future at the club when he said: “My desire is to extend his contract. He belongs here and hopefully we can do it.”
Holtby Confirms Intention to Leave Schalke
Rumoured Arsenal FC target Lewis Holtby has announced that he will not be renewing his expiring contract with his current club FC Schalke.
The Royal Blues midfielder only has six more months on his existing contract and after months of speculation, he has finally confirmed his intention to quit the club.
After Holtby made his decision known to Schalke, the club’s board member Horst Held told the press: “We had hoped that Lewis saw his future at Schalke beyond the end of the season. But, like Klaas Jan, he has made a personal decision that we respect. We are sure he will give everything between now and the end of the season.”
The Gunners’ Premier League rivals Liverpool are also thought to be interested in acquiring Holtby’s services.
No Arsenal Move for Nani
Manchester United winger Nani will not be allowed to leave the club for Arsenal FC in January, Sir Alex Ferguson has declared.
The Portuguese international hasn’t been a regular starter under Ferguson this season, giving rise to suggestions that he might leave the Red Devils this month. However, Ferguson has totally discarded the idea of selling him in an interview with The Mirror.
“We won’t be letting him go. We need a Nani. His contract isn’t up for a year and a half. He offers something different from the other players. He’s an incredible talent, the boy,” Ferguson is quoted as saying.
“Unfortunately, he’s injured at the moment. We have sent him over to Dubai for a break, to help him in his recovery. He’s not far away but he’s far enough away. I don’t think I will get him until the middle of January. He’s got a future here. Why would I want to let him go?”
Arsenal Target Dreaming of Man United Move
Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who is a reported transfer target for Arsenal FC, has revealed that his lifelong dream is to play for Manchester United.
The France international is considered one of the best young defenders in Europe and it was thought that the Gunners might be making a move for him next summer. However, the player himself says that signing for the Red Devils and not Arsenal will be his preferred career move.
France Football have quoted Yanga-Mbiwa as saying: “My dream is to play with the shirt of Manchester United in a match in Old Trafford. My favourite club is United without doubt. When I sleep I dream of scoring a decisive goal with my head at a corner. That would be very beautiful.”