Arsenal have reportedly completed the £3.5 million signing of Brazilian striker Wellington Silva. The 16-year-old, who plays for Fluminense, will not join up with his Arsenal team-mates until his 18th birthday in January 2011 due to FIFA regulations. Silva impressed during a trial with the Gunners in December 2008 after scoring four goals in a youth match against Norwich City. Arsenal are believed to have already paid 65% of the transfer fee with the remainder to be paid when the player joins the Gunners in 2011. The player's agent, Rodrigo Pitta, said: “We completed the transaction last week, the player is already Arsenal's and Fluminense have already received some money.” Silva has represented Brazil at Under-17 level in both the World Cup and South American Championship.

According to several reports from Romania, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering making a move for promising Cluj youngster Lacina Traore. The Premier League contenders are in the market for a new striker due to the injury worries of both Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner and Wenger is believed to be keen to add to his ranks sooner rather than later. Arsenal have been linked with players such as Marouane Chamakh, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Carlton Cole in the past couple of weeks, but they have now allegedly turned their attention to Traore. The towering forward can also play in midfield and impressed during Cluj's Europa League campaign earlier this season. The Romanians have reportedly set a €4 million asking price for the 19-year-old.

"It would be a dream for me to get to play on a team so great," the 19 year old is quoted. "I have a chance there because Arsene Wenger relies heavily on young players. "There is great pressure on me now because I am being linked with big European clubs, but this is my ambition. "The Ivory Coast coach has already told me I will get my chance with the national team, but my chances of that happening would certainly increase if I was to join a big team like Arsenal. "It is sensational to hear Wenger is watching me. I could be a success in England. "Even though I am still young, I have a lot of experience and a lot of ambition. Wherever I go it will be hard at first, but I'm sure I would settle in." Traore's current employers Cluj have confirmed initial discussions have already taken place with the Gunners and they have told the Premier League side of their asking price. Club president Iuliu Muresan added: "We have had contact from Arsenal but we have not received a concrete offer yet. "Four million euros is close to the amount we are seeking."

Arsène Wenger will not be making a move to sign Andre-Pierre Gignac. The Arsenal manager has admitted he is considering signing a new striker during the current transfer window and Gignac is just one of a number of names linked with a move to Emirates Stadium. The 24-year-old has scored 35 goals in 85 appearances for Toulouse and has become a regular in the French international squad, netting four times in ten appearances for Les Blues. But while Wenger says he is an admirer of the striker, the manager concedes that the French international is too expensive to be an Arsenal transfer target. "I like the player," admitted Wenger. "I don't need to send people to watch him because I know him well enough already because he plays for the French national team. "Lyon tried to buy him last year for nearly £20million, so the price was too high."

Arsène Wenger has refused to blame Saturday's draw with Everton on the absence of Alex Song. Arsenal had to come from behind twice against David Moyes' side amid at snowstorm at Emirates Stadium. They only earned a point thanks a deflected strike from Tomas Rosicky in stoppage time. The game was the first since Song departed for the Africa Cup of Nations. After an excellent season, Wenger admitted his side would have to adjust to the loss of Cameroon international. "I knew before he left, unfortunately, that he'd be missed," said the manager. "But I do not want to draw a quick conclusion because too many players were off the pace on Saturday. "We struggled for a while when we lost Van Persie as well, so we have to find a new balance, new responsibilities, and a share of responsibilities in our game." The blow of dropping points was softened a little by Manchester United's draw at Birmingham later on Saturday. With Chelsea's game postponed, Arsenal finished the weekend three points behind the leaders. "Before the season of course, I would have signed to be this close in the race at this stage," said Wenger. "But you could see from Saturday that every game is difficult and as soon as you drop your level a little bit you are in danger. Today that's what happened to us. We didn't find our speed in our passing to get Everton out of position, and they did very well."

The Lille midfielder Eden Hazard has been linked with Arsenal for (what seems like) ages now, and there are quotes going around that he has admitted that he has “a dream” to play for either Arsenal or Real Madrid. Here is the quote: “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.” “I must repeat that it is too early to move. In one or two years I will maybe make the next step.” Now you may call me cynical, but I have this strange feeling that I have read this quote well over a year ago, at the height of the Arsenal transfer rumours regarding Hazard. Mind you, there could be other cynics that could say that parhaps Hazard’s “one or two years” is close to completion, and he may be ready to join Arsenal!

Denilson took what crumbs of comfort he could from Saturday's draw against Everton. Arsène Wenger admitted his Arsenal side were off the pace at Emirates Stadium over the weekend. David Moyes' men took the lead in each half but, both times, the home side levelled with a deflected effort. The first came through Denilson himself, the second through Tomas Rosicky in the final seconds. Afterwards, the Brazilian admitted his side had to be content with their point. One, he argued, that would not be too detrimental to Arsenal's title ambitions. "We knew before the game it would be difficult against Everton," he said. "We won 6-1 on the first day of the season and the boss said they would come here and be very strong. They had a great game and there was a big difference from the first one up there. "But the most important thing was that we didn't lose. We have one point, we kept the momentum going and we feel good. We are three points behind Chelsea now. But we have more experience this season and we are coming to win this trophy this season. "Cesc Fabregas is back now and Nicklas Bendtner [could be soon] as well. It will get better because they will help us."

Arsenal have made a transfer coup by snapping up Bolivian prospect Samuel Galindo from under Everton's nose, according to The Mirror.

Despite having the 17-year-old in training, David Moyes reportedly failed to seal a deal, thereby allowing his north London counterpart, Arsene Wenger, to swoop in and sign the player.

It is claimed that the Gunners will now focus their efforts on securing a work permit for the young attacking midfielder by pleading for him to be considered as a special case owing to his bursting talent.

Arsenal are reportedly set to shell out £500,000 for the youngster, with that sum set to rise further depending on Galindo's achievements and appearances.

Unsettled Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure revealed he was bitterly disappointed not to sign for Arsenal a couple of seasons ago, a move which would have seen him join brother Kolo in the red and white jersey. The Ivory Coast International has been linked with the Gunners more than once in the last couple of seasons, but manager Arsene Wenger preferred to work on the development of Abou Diaby, Denilson and Alex Song. Speaking of a possible move to North London, the 26-year old is quoted by Spanish publication Marca as saying: I was disappointed and never understood why Wenger did not want to close the deal. But one day I would like to play in the Premier League.

It’s not the first time John Terry spoke about Arsenal this season. After saying Eduardo dived in the Champions League game against Chelsea, the captain of the Premiership leaders now admitted how according to him, Arsenal were out of the title race after they lost 0-3 at the Emirates the game against their London rivals, but are now back in it. The 29-year old also added how Chelsea are not playing well at the moment and need to find their form before other teams take advantage. He said: Thankfully the teams in and around us have been slipping up as well, but Arsenal are right back in the frame again. When we beat them 3-0 I thought they were out of it to be honest. We need to concentrate on ourselves because apart from the Watford game, when we were brilliant albeit against a lesser side, we haven’t been playing as well. Hopefully that game will give us a boost and we can kick on now, and pull away when the other teams are slipping up.

The ex-England manager Steve McClaren believes that he is close to coming to an arrangement with Arsene Wenger to take the young Arsenal star Jack Wilshere to Holland on loan. His club, FC Twente, are currently at the top of the Dutch Eredivisie and it would be great for Wilshere to be playing for real honours instead of just fighting a relegation battle in the Premiership if he went to West Ham or Burnley. According to the Telegraph, Twente president Joop Munsterman is confident of coming to an agreement with Arsenal in the next few days, as the injury crisis at the Emirates is easing at last. Wenger is expecting Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy to return to the side this weekend, which should free Wilshere from emergency duties. It will be interesting to see if Wenger decides to send him to Holland rather than another Premiership team.

Arsène Wenger intends to loan out Samuel Galindo as soon as the Bolivian midfielder arrives at Arsenal. The 17-year-old from Real America clearly has qualities the Frenchman admires. However Galindo is unlikely to continue his football education in London for now. Instead he may move to abroad. "I'm looking to send him out on loan," admitted Wenger at Friday's press conference. "We have a few clubs in mind. "Galindo is a player who has good technique. He's intelligent, 6ft 2ins tall, left-footed with good stamina. He is a central midfielder who can give good balls. He has good vision too which we like here."

On the importance of having Cesc Fabregas back... "If you watch the game today it is difficult to say how much but you don't have to explain that it is important." On if there is a midfielder as good as him in the Premier League at the moment... "I have not seen all the games but what is very interesting for us is that Cesc gets stronger and stronger and has more personality on the pitch, like the whole team. He will be 23 this year so he is just starting." On if Fabregas' fitness is key to Arsenal's title challenge... "In the last 48 hours we lost Aaron Ramsey and Samir Nasri to injuries and we now go into a period where every game becomes very, very important. For us it is important not to lose any more players and especially Fabregas because he is just coming back now. We survived okay when he wasn't there but in the period coming up now where we have so many big games it is important to have him." On his side's performance... "We expected a fully committed Bolton team and we were not disappointed. They gave absolutely everything and put us under pressure with long balls. We tried to get the ball down and play and sometimes it worked well. We dropped our level a little bit in the second half and that's where they had a 20-minute period where they had chances and looked dangerous. I believe that the pitch was not easy today for our game so our passing was not always exceptional. It was important for us not to go into the last 15 minutes only one goal up. The second goal killed the game." On the referee's performance... "I felt that the referee kept things calm quite well because there were a few occasions where it looked very heated and he didn't pull out the red card too quickly and that calmed things down." On the atmosphere at Reebok Stadium... "It was very positive for Bolton and Arsenal as well. Our away fans are fantastic." On having the chance to go top of the Premier League after the next game... "Our motivation will be 100 per cent. We know that we are in a quite interesting position where nobody expected us to be. We have the belief and we really want to have a go. You have seen today that Bolton made life difficult for us so we have to be completely focussed." On Nasri's injury... "It is what I call a 21-day injury. It is a clean hamstring [injury]." On how long Ramsey will be out for... "The same [as Nasri's] but it is not a hamstring injury, it is a thigh. We have a little chance to get Denilson and Walcott back for Wednesday and to get Bendtner back in 10 days maybe." On what it will mean to the players if Arsenal go top on Wednesday... "We know that there is a long way to go. We are a big club and when you are a big club the most difficult thing is like what happened last year, when in October you know you will not fight for the title. Now we have a chance to fight for it so lets have a go." On Craig Eastmond... "He has shown that he has qualities to be a player for us but in some occasions as well that he is not ready. Overall he has shown interesting things. In the second-half he got tired and then he started to lose some balls that you do not want to lose but overall it was an interesting performance."

Arsène Wenger would prefer Jack Wilshere to go on loan in the Premier League rather than a top-flight division abroad. The Arsenal manager is keen to further the 18-year-old's development and has already spoken about the possibility of a short-term switch for the midfielder. Recent media speculation has suggested that Steve McClaren's FC Twente would consider taking the Englishman to Holland on a short-term basis but Wenger would rather Wilshere stayed a little closer to home. "I would prefer him to play in the Premier League," said the manager. "That would be the easiest for me to observe and to come to a conclusion that he is ready to play for us next season. "I have heard that Twente are interested but I would prefer him to go somewhere in the Premier League."

Robin Van Persie is doing as well as can be expected in his recovery from ankle surgery. That's the verdict of Arsène Wenger, who has been without the Dutch forward since he suffered ligament damage during an international friendly against Italy in November. Wenger predicted last month that Van Persie would be out for "virtually the rest of the season". That is still the case even though the 26-year-old is making steady progress in his rehabilitation. "He has come back [to the training ground] and is doing as well as you can at that stage," said Wenger after the Bolton game. "He is out of his boot and walks normally but he thinks he will be playing mid-April."

So, Arsenal are on the verge of signing another starlet. Arsene Wenger's track record in snapping up almost unheard of teenage talent and turning them into top class performers is formidable. This time it is no exception. Few outside of South America have heard of Samuel Galindo. We put our worldwide reach to the test when catching up with Goal.com Latin America chief editor Martin Decaux to paint a picture of what it will be like to witness 17-year-old Samuel Galindo kick off his career at Arsenal. Captain fantastic Galindo is not like most Bolivian footballers - particularly Bolivian playmakers - primarily, because he is so tall. But despite being 6ft 2in, he has a lot of technique. He can play as a forward, but in recent youth tournaments I only saw him playing as an central attacking midfielder, and he did so extremely well. I saw him in action twice over the last year. At the U20 South American championship, aged just 16 at the time, he struggled to compete. Two months later, in the U17s, he was captain and the key player in the side, named in Goal.com's Best XI of the tournament.
Crouching Samuel, hidden talent

When you first see someone like Peter Crouch, you think 'this guy must have no technique at all'. That's exactly what I thought when I first saw Galindo, but I was surprised, because despite his size, he had very nice moves and was reasonably fast.

He's a player that likes to play behind the forwards, aided by his strength in one-on-ones, impressive vision of the game and passing skills. He has a dangerous left foot and can shoot from distance, but is not a selfish player and has shown his best attribute to be his assists.

Verdict

Adapting to a new culture and climate - especially at such a young age - is impossible to gauge, but this is a player not just with the range, but also the level of ability to succeed in the English game.

He is likely to begin in the academy and with luck, perhaps make the first team squad in August for next season.

Whether he will be afforded the opportunity to play as a South American No.10 within Wenger's side is doubtful, but he may be coached into playing a left-wing role in a 4-3-3 setup and the results, at very least, have the potential to be outstanding.

The Arsenal defender Phillipe Senderos has admitted that he is flattered by Celtic’s offer to take him to Scotland on loan until the end of the season, but he has other possibilities that he would like to explore before agreeing to a move to Glasgow. “At this moment, I am still an Arsenal player, so they will have the final decision,’ said Senderos.”I am very honoured that a big club like Celtic are interested in me and, personally, a loan deal right now would suit me perfectly. “But, at present, I am studying a number of different possibilities. There are a few clubs who have expressed interest so, hopefully, it won’t be long until something is sorted out.” There are possible moves to Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton being discussed in the media, so Senderos obviously thinks that a better offer will arise soon, but he went on to say that he had talked to his Switzerland team-mate Ramon Varga about his time at Parkhead. I spoke with Ramon once or twice about his time in Scotland and he really enjoyed it,’ he said. “He had a successful time there and was very positive about the club and the city. ‘It’s certainly nice to be linked with a move to Celtic but, at this moment, I don’t know exactly where I will be going.” “There are a few clubs interested and I will study everything before making a decision.” Oh well, it looks like Celtic will have to look further afield to shore up their defence!

The Arsenal transfer gossip is gathering pace as it has just been revealed that the North London club have been in serious discussions with Sergio Canales agent (and father) regarding a possible move to the Emirates. The Mail reports that Gelo Canales was in London yesterday (Monday) to meet representatives of Arsenal with the express desire to seek assurances that he will not be languishing in the reserves if he moves to London. “I won’t discount any option.” Gelo said: “My son will go to a club where he will play plenty of football. That’s what interests us.” It was thought that Real Madrid were favourites to sign the talented Spanish youngster, but with a squad of Galacticos his chances of getting regular first team football seems unlikely, so perhaps it is not such a pipe-dream that he could come to Arsenal. Canales has also held talks with Manchester City and will probably have a few more interested parties to talk to, so a decision is not expected immediately, but at least we know that Arsenal are making an effort to sign the promising young striker.

Bolivian TV network El Deportivo TV have published exclusive documents which suggest potential Arsenal signing Samuel Galindo is an ‘age cheat’. They say the Bolivia youth team captain is 20-years-old, not 17 as previously touted.

The network shows what they claim is Samuel’s correct passport, not a fake which was allegedly shown to officials at the Under 17 World Cup earlier this year after questions were raised by competing teams. The hosts, Nigeria, had 11 players in a 25 man squad fail bone tests in what proved to be one of the biggest attempts to field ineligible players in youth sport. Should the evidence be found to be 100% accurate, Galindo’s transfer to Arsenal may still be in doubt.

The passport picture – here– clearly shows a picture of Samuel as a youngster with the birth date of 18 April 1989, making him 20 and about to turn 21 in just over two months time. The passport shown to officials at the World Cup lists the central midfielder as born on 18 April 1994. El Deportivo have dismissed the latter as false, just like they did with one of Samuel’s international colleagues, Carlos Castro. They published information which proved Castro was lying about his age, but the Bolivian federation ignored the pleas of the network for an investigation.

Now president of the ANF, Jorge Justiniano, will collaborate with the news agency in a mass inquiry to stop the adulteration of some players registered in the Bolivian Soccer Federation, and to clear up any anomalies.

More news is expected shortly.