Real Madrid's returning president Florentino Perez appears utterly determined to continue making use of his chequebook as he wishes to strengthen his side with just top-notch material.

After splashing out nearly £150 million on Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, Real Madrid have spent a reported €15 million to sign Raul Albiol from Valencia and continue being linked to several other players.

Wenger, who was one of the names in the frame to be installed as Real Madrid boss, has now confirmed why he turned down the chance to guide the Spanish capital club.

"Real Madrid lean towards football-spectacle, but there is another dimension: the success of building a team with a style, a know-how, a club's own game culture, of youngsters," he told Dauphine Libere.

"That is what I have chosen. I am in a project of a construction of a young team. I want to stay until the end.

"I enjoy watching my team play the football that I love."

The French tactician has also warned Real that a summer of hefty spending may produce an undesired effect.

"Signing more than three players is to take a technical risk. We enter an area of incertitude.

"But if it works, they will make a lot of damage," he concluded.

Manchester United are facing another obstacle in their bid to sign Douglas Costa, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich now entering the race.

Earlier in the week, United had asked Gremio to allow the 18-year-old Costa to undergo a trial at Old Trafford, but the request was refused. Indeed, the Brazilian club are reportedly unwilling to sell Costa unless a club coughs up his €24 million buy-out clause.

With the Red Devils unlikely to offer such a large amount of money for a teenager, they now face more troubles, as Sport.co.uk claims that both the Gunners and Bayern have now entered the picture.

The German club's interest was confirmed by Costa's agent, Cesar Bottega, who said, "There was an approach from a big German club.

"They saw him at the South American Youth Championship and liked the player. There have been talks and we will see what happens in the next week."

It is unlikely, however, that Arsenal could trump Man United in the financial stakes, perhaps leaving Bayern as the current favourites for Costa's signature.

Arsenal target Serdar Tasci has expressed his happiness at English club's reported interest in him, while stressing that he remains happy at Stuttgart.

Recent reports have identified Tasci, who was also being chased by AC Milan and Juventus, as one of Arsene Wenger's main targets.

Speaking to German website Spox.com, Tasci said, "I have to admit I'm flattered that clubs like Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus have had their eye on me in the past.

"But I'm not getting carried away with this. I'm focused on Stuttgart and looking to return to action following my knee injury. I have the ambition to move clubs one day, but the time and circumstances have to be right for me."

Tasci then talked about his excitement at playing in the Champions League next season, even contemplating a clash with Arsenal themselves.

"I'd love to play in the Champions League this season," he said.

"We'll have to show up in qualifying of course, but I don't mind who we play. We want to advance to the group stages.

"We might be paired with Arsenal, but we can beat them as well."

Stuttgart are keen to hold on to the player, but they are afraid of losing him for nothing when his contract expires next summer, so they could be tempted by a large bid if Tasci does not sign a contract extension.

Arsene Wenger has long been a managerial candidate at the head of various Real Madrid shortlists, and speculation linking the Arsenal boss with the post at the historical heavyweights once again rose to the fore this summer, only for the Frenchman to quell the notion by reiterating his loyalty to the Gunners.

Wenger said that he feels the project that is underway at Arsenal is of his own creation, and that he may not receive such freedom at other clubs to instil his own ethic into the team, the club and the facilities as a whole.

It is alleged that Wenger even designed the smallest facets of the club's new Emirates Stadium, including curved changing-rooms that follow Feng Shui guidelines.

"Real Madrid is a football-oriented show, but there is another dimension in this game: the success of building a team with a style, a knowledge, a culture of your own game at a club with young people," Wenger is reported to have told the press today.

"This project [at Arsenal] is in construction and I want to see it through to the end. My enjoyment comes from seeing us play football like that.

Vincent Enyeama has revealed that he is working on securing a switch to the Premier League.

The Nigerian international 'keeper is being sought all over Europe, and he has revealed that England is his preferred destination.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Enyeama said, "I am calm... there are contacts in the Premier League.

"I am interested in playing there next season but nothing is done yet. I want to prove I am the best in the world so I need to face world-class strikers week in, week out."

Although Enyeama did not mention the clubs who have made contact, Arsenal, Hull City and Wigan Athletic have all been linked to him in the past.

Enyeama's current club, Hapoel Tel Aviv, will ask for around €2 million for his signature.

Lorik Cana's future continues to attract plenty of speculation, with Arsenal now rumoured to be interested.

Having missed out on Felipe Melo, Arsene Wenger is desperate to land a new defensive midfielder. According to The Daily Express, he has now turned his attention to Cana.

Marseille appear resigned to losing their captain, and, speaking about his future, Cana said, "The door remains open for a departure, even with three years remaining on my contract."

"I will talk with my family and my representatives. It will then depend on what I want to do.

"Of the possible destinations in the future, England and Germany are the two leagues that attract me the most.”

Everton and Tottenham have been linked with the midfielder in the past, but the only official bid so far appears to have come from Hamburg, who have offered €5 million.

Aston Villa are pondering a move for out of favour Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

Senderos spent last season on loan at Milan, but the Rossoneri declined the chance to purchase him outright, despite the player wanting to stay at the San Siro. Now, according to the Daily Mail, Villa are preparing a bid.

Arsenal are rumoured to expect at least £5m for Senderos, who does not appear to have a future at the Emirates, following the signing of Thomas Vermaelen and Arsene Wenger's interest in other defenders, such as Serdar Tasci.

Since joining the Gunners in 2003, Senderos has made 64 appearances for the club.

Arsene Wenger's confessed "gamble" signing, Amaury Bischoff, has departed Arsenal after just one season because the Frenchman could not guarantee the midfielder first-team football.

The 22-year-old made no starts during his short tenure with the Gunners, and the decision not to renew the player's contract was confirmed on Tuesday - the expiration date of his old deal.

"[Wenger] could not guarantee me playing time next season. So we decided together that it was best that I did not extend [the contract]," Bischoff explained to L'Equipe.

Bischoff is now actively seeking a new club to stride out for next season.

Arsenal also released a clutch of reserve and youth players, but there are signals that Wenger may add to his solitary signing of the summer thus far; Thomas Vermaelen, with Ligue 1 likely to be raided.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho, Olympique de Marseille captain Lorik Cana and Girondins de Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh have all been linked with a switch to north London.

Despite losing the captain's armband during the early stages of last season, William Gallas has been swift to quell the recent gossip that suggested the former Chelsea defender was keen to reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho at Serie A club Inter.

"I am at Arsenal, my contract is still valid for a year, so I am an Arsenal player," Gallas is reported to have told The Daily Mail. "We have not talked about renewing the contract, but I am relaxed and looking forward to next season with Arsenal."
There could be numerous ins-and-outs in the Gunners' rearguard. Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen, formerly of Ajax, has already been welcomed to north London, while Ivorian international Kolo Toure is still believed to be on the radar of money-laden Manchester City.

Should Wenger decide to cash in on either of his elder defensive statesmen - Gallas or Toure - then a move for Werder Bremen centre-back Naldo could be on the cards.

"Naldo is a great athlete and could do well at the right club, unfortunately he doesn't fit the direction we're planning to move in any longer," Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf explained to a club insider.

"We expect to move him for somewhere in the region of €10 million, and English side Arsenal is as of now the most likely destination."

Arsenal have rewarded Wales international Aaron Ramsey with a new long-term contract due to his "good contribution" in his rookie season as a Gunner. According to Arsene Wenger, the player's continued development will be looked forward to by the club's management.
"We're delighted that Aaron has signed a new long term contract," Wenger confirmed to the club's official website.

"He made a very good contribution in his first season and he showed that he is a very intelligent player with great quality.

"He is still only 18 and we're really looking forward to seeing him develop with us in the forthcoming years."

Ramsey opted to sign for Arsenal in a £5 million deal last summer, despite concrete interest from then-European champions Manchester United. He went on to make 22 appearances in all competitions last season, and found the net in a Champions League match.

Upon Ramsey's arrival in north London, goalkeeping coach Bob Wilson spoke of his excitement at a midfield partnership of Fabregas and Ramsey, which confused certain people, who saw the Welshman's ideal position on the wings or further up field, as a deeper role would seemingly stifle his attacking flair.

He has shown himself to be capable of playing anywhere across the midfield line and, like reserve team-mate and fellow talent Jack Wilshere, he is strong on the ball. Similar to club captain Cesc Fabregas, Ramsey seems content to play for the assist rather than the glory of finding the goal.

Hertha Berlin have emerged as the latest candidate to sign unwanted Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

Senderos has returned to the Emirates after Milan decided not to purchase him following his loan spell. However, the Gunners do not want him either, and, according to Swiss daily Blick, Hertha are ready to step in.

The Swiss international played under the Bundesliga side's current coach, Lucien Favre, at Servette when he was just 16, and the pair could be keen to renew their relationship.

Hertha have just sold Josep Simunic to Hoffenheim for around €7 million, which is approximately the fee Arsenal are expecting for their surplus centre-half.

Senderos is actively seeking a move away from Ashburton Grove, having realised - with the arrival of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax - that he does not feature in the club's plans.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has attempted to suppress the notion that Emmanuel Adebayor will be exiting Ashburton Grove this summer by expressing his confidence
that the Togolese targetman will still be sporting the colours of the Gunners when the new season starts.

Interest in Adebayor looms on three fronts: Manchester City, Chelsea, and AC Milan, as all three clubs continue their respective quests for squad enhancement.

"If he does not want to stay, he will leave," Wenger stated matter-of-factly to the club's official website. "But I think that he will be still at Arsenal this season."

Meanwhile, Wenger has confirmed that his interest in Karim Benzema was real, contrary to reports that sought to negate the Frenchman's admiration for powerful Olympique Lyonnais forward.

Together with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal were both believed to be in the running for the France international's signature, before the Galactico Mk2 era paid dividends for the third time this summer.

"There is one who interested me but he (Benzema) left for Madrid," Wenger said. "I did not make an approach because I would never have thought that Lyon would sell this year."

Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs has committed his future to the north London club today, joining Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere in signing what is said to be a "long-term contract extension" by the club's official website.

The 19-year old, who can play as a left back or on the left side of midfield, has impressed with his mature performances over the last season, and was a prominent member of the England Under-21 squad that reached the final of the European Championships in Sweden last month.

Manager Arsene Wenger was clearly delighted to have secured the player's services for the foreseeable future, telling Arsenal's website, "Kieran made such a great impact last season and the progress he made throughout the year was fantastic.

"Kieran is an intelligent player with huge quality and he proved last season with his performances that he has great potential.

"We’re delighted that Kieran has committed his future to Arsenal and we’re all excited to watch his future development at the club."

Barcelona supremo, Joan Laporta had confirmed yesterday that he as well as the club’s coaching staff are intent on taking Cesc Fabregas back from Arsenal.

Last week, meanwhile, the Blaugrana’s potential presidential candidate for next year, Sandro Rosell revealed that he wants to make the midfielder his pre-election promise.

These declarations have not gone unnoticed in England and The Sun has predicted that only a €50 million offer would be enough to tempt the Gunners to part with their skipper, eventhough the price tag was set by the media at just €40m a few days prior.

With limited transfer budget this summer, Barcelona are unlikely to even attempt a move for their former young sensation. And Sport believes, despite the constant rumours about Cesc’s future over the past few weeks, that the 22-year-old will not be a priority for the Catalan behemoths for the upcoming season.

Robin van Persie has agreed a new five-year contract with Arsenal, according to a report in The Independent today.

The Dutchman, who has just a year left to run on his current agreement, is said to have signed an extension until the end of the 2013-14 season.

Van Persie is currently on holiday in France and has been locked in negotiations with the London club since January, although talks were put on hold as he waited to see whether Arsene Wenger’s side qualified for the Champions League.

Recently, he suggested Arsenal’s lack of trophies – their last silverware came in winning the 2005 FA Cup - was a big concern, prompting speculation over his future.

But the Gunners did go on and comfortably beat Aston Villa to fourth place in the Premier League and van Persie is set to become the key member of Arsenal’s attacking unit, especially if, as is speculated, Emmanuel Adebayor leaves the Emirates Stadium this summer.

According to the report, the striker’s new deal will net him around £80,000-per-week which will put him amongst the club’s top earners.

If he has indeed signed, van Persie will follow starlets Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs, all of whom penned new long-term contracts this week.

Van Persie scored 20 goals in 44 appearances last season, which comfortably represented his best ever campaign in front of goal.

As yet there has been no official confirmation from Arsenal or the player himself over the reported agreement.

Barcelona are weighing up a move for Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Russia international was very close to joining the Catalan outfit from Zenit St. Petersburg last summer, but the player's move to Camp Nou failed to materialise as the two clubs could not agree on a fee.

Arshavin then spent a few more months at Zenit before completing a reported €15 million switch to Arsenal in February on transfer deadline day.

Despite the player's positive contribution in north London, he has never hidden the fact that Barcelona were his favourite destination, having been quoted earlier this week in The Sun as saying he would be "happy" if given the opportunity to complete his dream switch to Barcelona.

According to the Spanish paper, Arshavin is unhappy at the Emirates Stadium and one of the reasons appears to be the UK tax law, which is a lot more strict when compared to the Spanish law.

The Russian star is believed to be high on coach Pep Guardiola's list of alternatives to Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, a roster that also contains Juan Manuel Mata of Valencia.

The main hindrance to the success of the deal appears to be the Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, who regards Arshavin as a key player and does not want to let go of a player he paid €15 million for just a few months ago.

The agency that looks after the interests of Felipe Melo claim they have spoken to no clubs about the possible sale of their client, while the major daily newspaper La Republicca insists that Juventus have signed the midfielder for €21 million plus Marco Marchionni.

Felipe Melo has permeated the football news today. At midday, Sky Sport Italia claimed that the player’s agents had reached an accord with Juventus, and that Bianconeri officials were to meet their Fiorentina counterparts on Tuesday in order to arrange a transfer fee and close the deal.

This was followed by an official announcement on the Fiorentina website, which stated that the Viola had only received one firm offer from Arsenal, and that they were negotiating a cash-plus-player exchange with The Gunners, that player being Emmanuel Eboue.

In yet another twist, Felipe Melo’s agency, ‘promoesport’, who look after his interests, claim they have held no discussions with any clubs.

"There has been no negotiation between us and any club for Felipe Melo,” said agent Joe Rodriguez Baster.

“If a team is interested in the player, they must first submit an offer to Fiorentina.

“There is much transfer talk about Felipe because in addition to having played a great [Serie A] championship, he also played to great levels in the Confederations Cup. But we are not dealing with, nor have we discussed him with anyone."

However, Baster’s comments contradict a report on the esteemed La Republicca, which claims that Juventus have signed Felipe Melo for €21m plus Marco Marchionni. The agreement was reportedly reached yesterday, although of course there is no official confirmation.

David Villa's future at Valencia has been a fervent source of conjecture, with Barcelona allegedly in pole position for his signature after Real Madrid decided to go for Karim Benzema from Lyon.

And Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, who himself has been tipped to return to Barcelona, has no doubts that Villa would be a big hit at Camp Nou.

"He [Villa] is a player with goals, he is a player constantly looking for the goal, who scores like 30 goals per season, regardless of whether the team are fine or not," Fabregas was quoted as saying in Sport.

"And all this, to have it on your team, the truth is not everyone has."

Fabregas stressed that Barcelona will be everyone's main threat next season.

He added, "The number one rival of all Europe and the whole world are Barca, no doubt.

"They are a team already made, that have already proved everything, they have won everything and have great players."

Arsenal transfer target Eden Hazard has hinted that he would be tempted by a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer

The Premier League giants have been tracking the young Belgium international for some time and, it is thought that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is set to make a bid for the youngster.

Now the player himself has declared his interest in signing for the north London club.

According to reports, Inter Milan are gearing up for a bid for the little winger, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also rumoured to be interested in signing the 18-year-old.

However, despite the reported interest from Italy, Hazard has said that he would snub a move to San Siro in favour of a transfer to the Emirates Stadium or Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking to The Sun, Hazard said, "Real Madrid and Arsenal are the clubs I dreamed of joining as a child.

"If I joined Inter or Barcelona and could play football there, then that would be very good, but Real and Arsenal are really great and play at a very high technical level."

The young Belgian has made just four appearances for his country, and is only just beginning to establish himself as a first team player at Lille, but Europe's elite feel he has enough potential to earn a big money move abroad during the summer.

Hazard has been with Lille for four years, having been promoted to the first team in 2007, and has made 34 league appearances for the club, scoring four goals.

Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo admits the decision on his future lies with the club, after Arsenal made a bid for him on Saturday.

The Viola confirmed they had recieved an offer for their man, via an official statement on their website, where they responded to the Gunners with a request of their own- asking for Emmanuel Eboue as part of the deal.

The north London side are yet to comment on Fiorentina's reply, but Melo has made his voice heard. The Brazilian wants to return to the Tuscan capital, but he wouldn't mind an adventure elsewhere.

“My intention is to return to Florence the moment my summer holiday
is over,” Melo told Lancenet.

“I had been promised that if I had a good season, my contract would be renewed. Fiorentina kept their word and this made me both happy and proud.

“I am very happy in Florence, it’s pleasing that people stop me in the street and ask me not to leave.”

“I can say that only God knows what my future holds, if the club decides to sell me elsewhere.”

Juventus have also reportedly shown an interest in the Brazilian, but Arsenal look the more likely to tie up the deal.

An Arsenal insider has revealed that Cesc Fabregas could be sold, if the price is right.

Fabregas has repeatedly been linked with a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid in recent weeks, but the Gunners have always expressed confidence in their ability to keep the midfielder.

However, speaking to The Sun, a club representative said, "Nobody at Arsenal wants to see Fabregas go but there comes a point when the money is too good to turn down.

"If Arsenal receive a bid in the region of £40m (€46m) there will be an enormous pressure to sell."

Barcelona have openly declared their intention to bring Fabregas back to the Camp Nou, while Real Madrid are always hovering. Now that a potential asking price has been named, it remains to be seen whether either club makes a further move.

Arsenal forward Carlos Vela is a serious doubt to begin pre-season training with the Gunners, after injuring his ankle whilst playing for Mexico in the Gold Cup against Nicaragua, according to Sky Sports News.

He fell awkwardly after a challenge in the first half of the game, won 2-0 by the Mexicans, and it was initially feared that he may have broken his ankle, with the striker limped out of the action after just 11 minutes of the action.

Further tests revealed it was sprain, though there is still the worry that there has been some serious damage done to the player's ligaments.

"The injury that is present is medial tibial pain, affecting the ligaments on the left leg. In simplest terms, he has a sprain," Mexican team doctor Radames Gaxiola told reporters in an official statement.

"In the fifth minute of the first half, Carlos Vela was spun around by a rival player who leaned against him which caused Carlos to incur pain on his right leg.

"Upon initial treatment, he felt pain on his right fibula. For that reason, after the game I went with him to a hospital to take x-rays and fortunately after evaluating the results it was determined that it was not a fracture."

Arsenal target Lorik Cana has refused to give any hints as to his future, but has claimed that a decision will be made by the end of the week.

The 25-year-old Marseille captain has been linked with a move to The Emirates all summer, and he has confirmed that a whole host of English clubs have contacted Marseille.

Speaking to La Provence, Cana said, "A transfer is not certain yet, I’m still captain of the OM [Marseille].

"One thing I do know: we will have a clearer picture at the end of the week. There are opportunities to go in the course of this week or next.

"I am thinking logically at the moment."

Cana did state, however, that there are certain conditions that, if offered, will ease his move.

He said, "If the conditions are met, I will [leave].

"Anyway, for now, nothing is already done and nothing is 100 per cent secure, even on my side.

"I have not even discussed with the new coach.”

Marseille have just lost their owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus to ill health, thus shifting other matters temporarily on to the back seat.

Blaise Matuidi has confirmed that he is pining for a move to Arsenal.

Matuidi has already announced his intention to leave St. Etienne, and he has now identified Arsenal as his first choice.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Matuidi said, "Playing for Arsenal would be fantastic but I can’t say anything about that yet."

"Everyone knows their wonderful style of football.”

Tottenham and Everton have also been linked with the move for the 22-year-old, who has been at St. Etienne since 2007.

Andrey Arshavin's agent has urged Barcelona to come forward with a formal offer for his client in an attempt to put an end to the rumours linking the Russian to the Camp Nou.

Arshavin had been linked with the Spanish giants last summer before signing with Arsenal. However, it was said that the Blaugrana failed to meet the asking price.

And, despite Arshavin instantly achieving cult status at the Emirates Stadium, the 28-year-old has often stated his admiration for the European champions.

However, Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter - whose employment status has also been called into question of late - spoke to COM Radio regarding the player's link with Barca.

"Before anything else, Barcelona should make a formal offer," Lachter said after quashing rumours that negotiations were already underway.

"Then we can sit down and speak."

Juventus have signed Felipe Melo from Fiorentina for €20 million plus the full ownership of Marco Marchionni, according to Sky Sport Italia.

The deal has been done and official confirmation will arrive tomorrow. The total value of the deal equals the €25m release clause in the new Fiorentina contract that Felipe Melo only signed last week. The ex-Almeria man has signed a five-year contract in Turin worth €2.6m a year.

Juventus have been in the market for a top-class centre midfielder, and their primary target had been Udinese’s Gaetano D’Agostino. However, the failure to agree on a transfer fee had seen Juve look elsewhere for possible alternatives.

Over the last few days there had been widespread speculation over a move for Felipe Melo, who has also been tracked by Premier League side Arsenal.

On Saturday, Sky Sport Italia claimed that Felipe Melo’s agents had reached an accord with Juventus, and that Bianconeri officials were to meet their Fiorentina counterparts on Tuesday in order to arrange a transfer fee and close the deal.

This was followed by an official announcement on the Fiorentina website, which stated that the Viola had only received one firm offer from Arsenal, and that they were negotiating a cash-plus-player exchange with The Gunners, that player being Emmanuel Eboue.

The saga continued to play out, and only today Fiorentina transfer chief Pantaleo Corvino insisted that Juventus had still not made an offer, and that Arsenal were in pole position.

However, Sky Sport Italia, an extremely reliable source, claim that Felipe Melo is now a Juventus player.

The 25-year-old will become the third Brazilian member of the Juventus line-up, along with Diego and Amauri.

Barcelona are desperate to sell Samuel Eto'o to Manchester City, in order to raise the funds necessary to sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

According to The Daily Star, Barca are willing to sell Eto'o to City for around €29 million, but they are still unsure as to what the Cameroonian's plans for the future are.

Pep Guardiola is desperately seeking midfield reinforcements ahead of a gruelling season. Initially, Fabregas was not a priority, but recent interest in him from Real Madrid has alarmed the Blaugrana, as they would be loath to lose a player from their cantera to Los Merengues.

The paper quotes Jaume Ferrer, one of Barcelona's vice-presidents, as saying on radio, "The coach really wants to get on with one of his major midfield signings as quickly as possible.

"We are confident we can land someone that we want and everybody knows what players we are after.

"They have been constantly mentioned in the press."

It is thought that Barca would have to pay in the region of €46m to land Fabregas. Arsenal might also ask for Yaya Toure in exchange, but it is unlikely that the Catalans would agree to include him as part of a deal, given that he has just signed a new contract.

Sebastien Bassong has confirmed that Arsenal have made an approach for him, but any move is being held up by Newcastle United's takeover complications.

The 22-year-old French-Cameroonian defender wants to leave the Toon following their relegation, but the club has seen virtually no transfer activity as they sort a potential buy-out.

According to The Daily Mail, Bassong said, "Premier League clubs are interested in me, but nothing is simple because Newcastle are in the middle of a takeover and nobody knows who will be the manager."

He then moved on to Arsenal's reported interest, continuing, "I can confirm there was an approach, but for now nothing is concrete.

"Foreign clubs inquired, but as it is my priority to stay in England, I didn't respond.

"Obviously, it would be better if things gathered pace, but I'm not worried."

Bassong made 30 league appearances for Newcastle last season, and has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Arsenal are close to wrapping up the signature of Blaise Matuidi.

The 22-year-old French midfielder is ready to leave St. Etienne, and recently expressed his admiration for Arsenal's style of play.

Now, according to The Mirror, The Gunners are closing in on a deal, with Arsene Wenger having held talks with Matuidi yesterday. It is believed that he will cost in the region of £2.5million.

Matuidi has also attracted the interest of Tottenham and Everton, but he has made it clear that Arsenal is his first choice.

That will not be the end of Wenger's midfield signings, however, as he weighs up a move for Udinese's Gokhan Inler.

Robin van Persie believes his best years are still to come at Arsenal after signing a new long-term contract with the club.

The Dutchman has committed his future to the London side, agreeing to a new four-year deal that will tie him to the Gunners until his 30s.

The striker is expecting his form to peak in the coming years, building on the impact he has already made in north London.

"If you look at other players who can make a difference, their best years are always from about 25 to 30," Van Persie told Arsenal TV Online.

"I really had a good [think] about what I wanted to do, and when you play for Arsenal, you always have other options, but my heart is with Arsenal.

"I have given my best years [so far] to Arsenal, and this is how I want it, to give my best years from now to Arsenal."

Van Persie is also keen to bring some major silverware to the Emirates Stadium in the near future.

He added, "One of the main reasons I signed was to lift a big trophy.

"I do not want to do it with a different team. I want to lift it with Arsenal. That is now my main target and it would make me so proud to do it."

After appearing to lose out on the signing of in-demand Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has turned his attention to Ever Banega, according to reports in the South American press. The player in question is available for transfer after making his desire to leave Valencia public knowledge.

Banega signed for los Che in 2008 after impressing in Argentina for Boca Juniors, although he was then farmed out on loan to Atletico Madrid and has since indicated that he does not want to return to the Mestalla, preferring an extended stay at Atletico.

Argentina's Telam newspaper has speculated that the player's willingness to leave Valencia has attracted Wenger, who is looking to bolster his midfield line this summer after being relentlessly criticised last season for failing to replace three outbound defensive midfielders in the form of Lassana Diarra, Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto.

Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne's Blaise Matuidi has also been linked with a move to Ashburton Grove, and neither player will likely fetch a high transfer fee.

Wenger has already splashed out €11.5 million on the acquisition of former Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen, an aerially-dominant defender who is also a reputedly astute man-marker.

Arsenal playmaker Tomas Rosicky has revealed that he is anticipating a return to first team action with the Gunners in the autumn, as his rehabilitation from a complex series of injuries continues.

The stylish attacker has played only 44 games for the Londoners since arriving at the club in 2006, and has not appeared in an Arsenal shirt since January 2008, but is hopeful that that long spell on the sidelines will soon end.

"I think I will be back in the autumn," the player told Czech newspaper Sport.

"According to my fitness coach I could have been playing at the end of the season as he thought my fitness was okay. I think it was obvious from the training that I was ready to play, if not for the 90 minutes.

"But the club decided not to play me. They saw that I was okay, but maybe they did not want to take the gamble.

"Until I play in a league match I will not be able to tell what my chances are, but when it comes to fitness alone I am in better shape than when I came to Arsenal.”

The 28-year-old is also looking forward to playing alongside his team-mates again, as well as offering manager Arsene Wenger another option in attack.

"I am missing the competition. Playing alongside Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott makes you feel comfortable and I think that I have been out for a while," he said.

"Now that I have recovered, I am a new option for the manager. We have a strong team capable of moving mountains in all competitions."

The interest in Cesc Fabregas from Spain shows no sign of abating, with Barcelona and Real Madrid set to engage in a bidding war for the midfielder.

Fabregas has long been coveted by the Liga giants, but neither was expected to make a move until next season, with both teams seemingly well stocked for central midfielders.

However, according to The Mirror, the two rivals are now determined to beat each other to Fabregas' signature, which could spell bad news for Arsenal.

Apparently, after hearing about Madrid's perceived interest, Barca have pushed forward their plans to sign Fabregas, in order to complete the deal this summer.

Club president Joan Laporta has made no secret of his desire to bring the Blaugrana youth product back to the Camp Nou, and he would be loath to see the Spanish international end up at the Bernabeu instead.

As a consequence, Real are determined to get one over their rivals by signing Fabregas, despite the extravagant amounts of money they have already spent this summer.

It is believed that the Gunners would seriously consider a bid of around €46 million. Fabregas has reiterated his commitment to Arsenal in recent weeks, albeit admitting that he wants to return to Spain in the future.

In an age in which football - like every other sport - is having its course dictated by commercial business, you can only admire a man of pure intentions and principles.

Arsene Wenger has made it abundantly clear he is against big business 'corrupting' football, and is more concerned with maintaining a stable, recession-proof economic policy. Playing it safe. Slow and steady wins the race.

The only problem is, you only tell the Tortoise and the Hare story to children, Aesop has been dead for over 2000 years and the only race slow and steady wins is one to a Europa League place - at best.

Zinedine Zidane didn't become the greatest footballer of modern times by being particularly industrious or hard-working, Axel Foley wasn't the best detective on Beverly Hills Cop because he followed the letter of the law and Bill Gates didn't become the wealthiest man on the planet by building the Microsoft dynasty on a shoestring budget.

Fans just want their team to win, maybe not at all costs, but Arsene Wenger seems to think he can do it at next to no cost whatsoever and he can't. The uncensored, insensitive reality of the football world is that is that €10 million is nothing. And so is Thomas Vermaelen.

Wenger assured fans at the Emirates - as the season reached its predictable, trophyless end - that experience would be signed in key positions this summer. At 23, Vermaelen has just over 20 caps for the Belgian national side and has come through the worst Ajax team for the last three to four decades.

Arsene has an eye for talent better than most, and there is nothing to say that Vermaelen, who has had ringing endorsements from the likes of Jaap Stam, couldn't develop into a class player. But there's that word again: development.

The fans, above all else, have become restless with the club's status as surrogates for French, African and French-African talents who either don't quite make the top grade, or do so and promptly head to a club where they have something of an assurance that they can line up alongside more players of proven quality and compete for major silverware.

Principles, after all, are relative - with many heavily criticising Wenger's policy of poaching many of 'his' best youth talents - while success is indisputably universal. The lack of balance in Wenger's philosophy and inability to adapt to compete in the age of Abramovich is disconcerting; but he is a man of such intelligence, you would be naive to suggest he doesn't realise the shortcomings of his transfer strategy.

And that is why there is growing belief that the pennysaver signings are nothing more than a fail-safe, to hide behind the guise of financial responsibility and youth development as an excuse for any potential failure, while snatching the likes of Gareth Barry or Xabi Alonso would put the onus squarely on the manager to deliver success.

Believe what you will, but don't believe it's unfair, don't believe there is no money and don't believe that Arsenal's decline from magical to a little mediocre is anyone's fault but the club's.

Having already given up on the likes of Gokhan Inler off the back of his impressive Euro 2008 showing, Wenger was presented with a chance to snap up Felipe Melo from Fiorentina. Fresh from Spanish outfit Almeria, in his debut Serie A season, the Brazilian was quite possibly the best midfielder in the league, a driving force behind the club qualifying for the Champions League for successive years for the first time in its history and now a regular with the Brazil national side, one of their star performers en route to Confederations Cup glory last month.

Arsenal reportedly put up just €14m for the combative Brazilian and were laughed off. Juventus are now on the verge of signing him for a fee in the region of €20-25m. Steep, yes, but such is the price of a player just one year into his contract and in such red-hot form. Bear in mind, this is not even a Juve under Luciano Moggi and coached by Fabio Capello or Marcello Lippi. This is a Juve ravaged by the Calciopoli scandal and putting money they don't even have into players they know they absolutely require.

Take Arsenal's €14m offer, take the €10m spent on Vermaelen, and tell me what you have. You have more than enough money to buy the perfect partner for Cesc Fabregas, which would immeasurably help him improve on his ponderous and unimpressive last season at the Emirates and flourish as the world class talent that he is before inevitably jetting back to Barcelona. It would restore Arsenal's strength in central midfield; the hub of any great football side, as demonstrated by Andres Iniesta and Xavi, Andrea Pirlo and Rino Gattuso or even Paul Scholes and Roy Keane.

Invariably, Arsene will now revert to type. His initial target, the Vermaelen-like Stephane Sessegnon of Paris-Saint Germain, has just renewed with the French capital club, but instead sights are now set on Blaise Matuidi at Saint-Etienne. While it can be condescending to constantly assume it takes a name to make a player, Arsenal's recent track record suggests enough no-names will inevitably lead to a no-team.

For a man who coaches his players with such passion and belief to take risks and go out to win, it is nothing short of a shame for football that he cannot take that same mentality into the boardroom. There is a reason Real Madrid head-hunted the Frenchman this summer. It wasn't the first time and may not even be the last, as he is a man universally recognised as embracing a special brand of football and nurturing of top talent.

But just as Barcelona won't produce a Fabregas, Iniesta, Messi and Pique as part of one generation every time, nor can Arsene realistically expect to snatch them up from other clubs, let alone produce four or five more Jack Wilsheres. Not Kieran Gibbs' or even Jay Simpsons, but Jack Wilsheres. There is a difference - let's stop acting like we don't know it.

The likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira - astonishingly rejected by Serie A during its golden age - would not come cheaply in today's equivalent market and, perhaps Vieira excluded, they weren't exactly cheap then, either.

The 59-year-old may yet surprise us all and sign a player of immense experience in Mahamadou Diarra - a French-speaking African, just as he likes them - and having just turned 28, won four Ligue 1 titles with Lyon and two Primera Divisions with Real Madrid, will most likely be available for a fee in the region of €15m as Madrid clear-out as part of the Galacticos revolution. But if it's a straight shootout between he and 22-year-old, €7-10m Matuidi - where would you place your bet?

Signing two good players instead of one great talent will never beget success at the highest level. Rafa Benitez makes a better fist of it by playing a much less attractive brand of football and having spent big on the right players a couple of times - two options Wenger seems unwilling to consider.

Competing with Man City in the long-term is perhaps an unreasonable expectation, but at this rate - having already been callously removed from a big four now referred to as a 'big three' by many - they will be fighting all the way for their fourth place once again this coming season, out of depth to compete for either of the two top honours of the season.

It has never been as simple as spending and winning, but Wenger's overcomplicating of every movement in the transfer market is tarnishing his legacy in north London, even when taking into account how he took them from relative mediocrity to where they have since been and still are now.

The last straw could end up being anything from failure to qualify for the Champions League, finally finishing below Spurs in a league season or even Wenger leaving for the likes of Madrid - but what is at this point a guarantee for the chief proprietor of beautiful football is that, at this rate, it will be very, very ugly.

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

As speculation continues to mount regarding the immediate future of Arsenal's Togolese targetman Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsene Wenger remains publicly coy on the matter. However, according to the Daily Mail, the Frenchman is more than willing to allow the £22 million-rated striker to join Mark Hughes' continued revolution at Manchester City.

Adebayor became one of the most in-demand strikers in world football following his 30-goal haul in the 2007-08 season, with Barcelona and AC Milan allegedly readying £30 million bids. Each advance was quashed by the Gunners, though, who were keen on keeping the 25-year-old.

However, his failure last season to reproduce the form that propelled him into the short-lists of Europe's elite seems to have made Adebayor's exit from the Emirates Stadium more likely this summer. Arsenal are more receptive to the idea of selling him, and Mark Hughes at City clearly desires the targetman's services - despite having already acquired Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz.

The Daily Mail speculates that it is Adebayor's fractious nature in the dressing room that has caused his downfall, or at least persuaded Wenger he can do without the African star.

Adebayor's on-pitch falling out with Nicklas Bendtner during a cup game with Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 seemed to embody the temperamental aspect of the former African Footballer of the Year's personality, while regular quotes attributed to him (whether substantiated or not), suggesting that he remains amenable to a move, have squandered much goodwill he once enjoyed among Arsenal fans.

The price-tag could appeal to Wenger too, if he is considering bringing in new recruits.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has moved closer to his potential switch to Manchester City, it seems, with Sky Sports News reporting that a hearing has been scheduled in Manchester tomorrow to determine whether the player can be awarded a work permit.

City's capture of another striker, Carlos Tevez from Manchester United, was confirmed today, as the club's bid to become a European and global powerhouse moves into overdrive.

Manager Mark Hughes had earlier confirmed to reporters that the Citizens were in discussions over a move for the Togolese, with reports yesterday suggesting that a bid of £22million had been prepared, with the Eastlands outfit prepared to offer the player £170,000 a week in wages - double what he is reported to earn at Arsenal.

Hughes has already signed Roque Santa Cruz as reinforcement for his forward line, and,with the likes of Craig Bellamy, Robinho and now Tevez at the club, it looks as though the Welshman is seeking the depth needed in a squad serious about challenging for a place the top four and beyond.

Arsenal have released - via their official website - a probable squad list for Saturday's annual pre-season friendly match against Barnet. The most notable of the inclusions being one Tomas Rosicky.

It comes as a surprise that the crocked midfielder could be making a return to the first team in light of his recent admission that it might take until the turn of the year until a full recovery is made.

And while Arsenal.com have made it clear that nobody is guaranteed a place at this point, the official squad list is expected to be released by the website on Friday.

Partnering Rosicky in the shock return department, Phillipe Senderos has found his name on the shortlist, despite rumours linking the Swiss defender with a move elsewhere.

A full list of the players available is as follows: Almunia, Rosicky, Eduardo, Clichy, Mannone, Gallas, Djourou, Wilshere, Nasri, Denilson, Silvestre, Arshavin, Traore, Senderos and Vermaelen.

Noticable absentees from the list would include Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs, both players on extended leave due to their international duties, while Emmanuel Adebayor seems set to make the switch to Manchester City.

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour is completely supportive of Arsene Wenger's decision to sell Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Togo international appears to be moving closer to a move to Manchester City, and Parlour believes the Gunners will be getting rid of a "lazy" player.

He told The Daily Star, "He was too lazy at times last season and just didn’t do it.

"His body language wasn’t great. He has a big contract, which maybe is because he had a good season the year before – but he needs people behind him getting on his back.

"Wenger will not stand in his way because they can get a lot of money for him and then get a very good player to replace him. His attitude amazed me at times last season when he just didn’t put it in.

"Sometimes if things are not going well for you, you have to show desire."

Parlour then said that the reported fee of £30 million was a bonus for Arsenal, continuing, "At first I heard £30m bandied around, and I’d snap their hand off at that price.

"Then you go and get an excellent player who will work his socks off.”