Transfer Balls: Arsenal Want Gundogan, Court Matinez But Bid For Stay-At-Home Bender
ARE Arsenal set to buy Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez?
The Telegraph says they could be:
“Arsenal make approach to Bayern Munich for transfer of Javi Martinez”
But maybe the Gunners will invest that “£100m” transfer budget in Lars Bender? Big money, eh. Or as the Irish Indy notes: “Arsene Wenger warns Arsenal fans not to expect big money signings.” So lots of little signings, then, for that £100m? Er, no. The Mirror says:
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he will only make ‘two or three’ signings this summer
Back to the Tele, which continues:
Bender is another Germany-based player who interests Wenger and, although he might be slightly cheaper than Martinez, would still cost around £25 million.
Or as the Daily Mail reports:
Arsenal want clarification on Javi Martinez before pursuing £20m Lars Bender
So. It’s one of those two, then?
Their ultimate target is be Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan, but the club realise their chances of landing the highly-coveted Germany international are slim.
It’s not Gundogan. It probably won’t be Martinez, who is too dear. Bender it is, then. Or as the Mirror puts it:
Arsenal suffer transfer blow as reported target Lars Bender reveals plans to stay with Bayer Leverkusen
Why? The Metro says he’s no Arteta:
Lars Bender: I’m not yet good enough for Arsenal transfer
Is that what he said? No.
“I signed my new contract until 2019, and that should have told everyone how happy I am at Leverkusen. I feel settled here and see no reason to change anything. In fact, if I am to be completely honest, I haven’t had a brilliant season and don’t feel ready yet to take on a pivotal role at a big club somewhere else. I need to keep working on my game, and I am going to do that here at Leverkusen. That suits me, and I am happy with that.”
So says the man The Guardian calls a “legend”.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 7th, May 2014 | In: Arsenal, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
