Arsene Wenger confirms Denilson is set to return to Brazil on loan

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Denilson is set to go back on loan to Brazil.

The 23-year-old joined the Gunners in 2006 from Sao Paulo, but revealed in May that he wanted to leave due to the club's lack of silverware.

There has since been reports of Denilson making a move back to former club Sao Paulo, and the Gunners have now confirmed that he is set to leave on loan.

"Denilson is likely to leave to go to Brazil on loan," Wenger said.

The midfielder admitted that he feels a certain degree of "sadness" to leave the club, and wished his team-mates the best of luck for the upcoming campaign.

"I will be playing in Brazil next season as I felt that this is a good opportunity for me to play regular first-team football," Denilson told the club's official website.

"I move away with sadness because I have so many friends at Arsenal and everyone has always been so supportive towards me.

"I want to say thank you to the club, and of course, also a big thank you to all the Arsenal fans who are very special.

"I'm now focused on doing well in Brazil next season, but will always be looking out for the Arsenal results. It is a great club with many great players, a good team spirit and a top-class manager. I wish you well for next season."

Arsenal give Barcelona two weeks to meet £40m asking price for Cesc Fabregas

 

Arsenal have reportedly given Barcelona two weeks to meet their asking price of £40 million for Cesc Fabregas.

The 24-year-old left the Catalan club in 2003 to join the Gunners, where he has gone on to make over 300 appearances.

And in recent seasons, the midfielder has maintained that he would like to return to Barca at some point in his career.

Now The Sun reports that the north London outfit have made it clear to the Spanish giants that they have to either come to an agreement within two weeks, or lose the opportunity to sign Fabregas.

The current European champions have long been linked with a move for the midfielder, but their president Sandro Rosell has in the past admitted that the club have a £40m transfer budget for this summer.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that the midfielder will meet with manager Arsene Wenger to push through with a potential move to Camp Nou.

It is believed that the Gunners boss is resigned to eventually having to let go of the Spaniard, but is reported to be confident that the club can manage to keep Samir Nasri at the Emirates.

Gervinho completes his move to Arsenal

 

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Ivory Coast international forward Gervinho has finalised his switch to the Gunners, joining the Club on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Gervinho, 24, arrives at Arsenal from French side Lille, with the paperwork surrounding his move now approved. The Ivorian helped Lille to a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double last season, scoring 18 goals in 49 games in all competitions.

The campaign capped a very successful two years for Gervinho, during which time he netted 36 times in his 93 appearances for Les Gogues. Before joining Lille, Gervinho enjoyed two seasons with Le Mans, also in Ligue 1.

On the international stage, Gervinho captained the Ivory Coast in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and also represented his country at the 2010 World Cup, scoring twice in just three substitute appearances during qualification to the finals. To date, Gervinhohas made 27 appearances in total for Les Eléphants, scoring six goals.

The forward, who came through the same Ivorian youth academy - ASEC Mimosas - as Emmanuel Eboue, before following in the right-back’s footsteps to join Belgian side KSK Beveren, will immediately join up with his new team mates for pre-season training.

Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Gervinho is a player that can play in a number of positions up front.  He can play on the right, on the left and through the middle.  He has qualities that I find very important, like his movement off the ball.  He has the qualities we like technically.  He is good one against one, he is strong and was the best provider in the French league with assists and he scored 15 goals. I think he is a very good addition to the squad.”

After completing his move to the Gunners, Gervinho said: “It’s a great feeling to be an Arsenal player. I’m very happy. I’ve always dreamed to play for this Club. I’ve achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It’s one of the most beautiful days of my life.

“I’m very happy to have the chance to work with Arsène Wenger.  I came here because I believe that he can improve my game and help me reach another level, but the most important thing for me is that I bring a lot to the team for whom I’m playing.”

Gael Clichy completes £7m move from Arsenal to Manchester City

 

Manchester City have completed the signing of Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £7 million.

The French international has been strongly linked with a move to the City of Manchester Stadium throughout the past week, and has now penned a four-year deal with the club.

The 25-year-old was the last remaining member of the 2003/2004 'Invincibles' squad and became the youngest ever Premier League winner at the tender age of 18 following his move from Cannes in 2003.

Clichy made 264 appearances during his time at Arsenal, including 41 Champions League outings, and follows in the footsteps of former Arsenal team-mates Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor in moving to City.

Speaking to City's official website, Clichy said: “I’m really happy to be joining such a great club. I hope I can add to the quality we already have here because we have a fantastic squad who I believe will continue to get better.

“I can’t wait to get started and I think anything is possible with this team.

“When I first came to England, it was Kolo Toure and Patrick Vieira who took me under their wing and really looked after me.

“Kolo would pick me up and drop me at home and his wife used to cook meals for me. Patrick was always there to offer me advice so it’s wonderful to be back and at the same club they are at.”

Clichy spent eight years under the guidance of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, and the French international spoke fondly of his time at the club.

He added: “I have had eight fantastic years at Arsenal and made many friends. I have so many great memories from my time at Highbury and Emirates Stadium. I would like to say thank you to everyone at Arsenal for all of their support and friendship. I also want to send a big thank you to all the Arsenal supporters, who have always been so good to me.”

Former boss Wenger also gave the transfer his blessing on Arsenal’s official website, with the parting between player and club appearing to be an amicable one.

Wenger said: “We would like to thank Gael for eight years of terrific service to Arsenal, during which time he gave absolutely everything for the club.

“He has grown and developed so much since joining us in 2003, and has been a crucial part of the team over recent seasons. Gael leaves with our respect and best wishes. We wish him the very best for his future career.”

Samir Nasri to tell Arsenal he wants to leave as Chelsea prepare to enter race with £20m bid

 

Chelsea are believed to be interested in acquiring the services of Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri.

The 24-year-old has only one year left on his current contract with the Gunners, who have been widely reported to have offered him a five-year contract to extend his stay at Ashburton Grove.

However, it is generally assumed that the Frenchman's reluctance to put pen to paper has been due to Arsenal's recent lack of silverware, as well as a wish for significantly improved wages.

Nasri is expected to return for pre-season training next week, but it is believed that the midfielder has become unsettled by the interest shown by other clubs.

According to The Mirror, the former Marseille man will meet with manager Arsene Wenger when he returns, to clarify the club's position on his demands before committing himself to signing a contract worth £90,000-a-week.

But it is thought that Nasri is prepared to press for a transfer away from the north London club, should offers from rival clubs prove tempting enough.

Now The Daily Mail reports that the Blues, who are believed to be in pursuit of Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez, see the Gunner as an alternative target.

Manchester United and Manchester City have both been linked with a move for Nasri, who produced his most impressive performances for Arsenal last season.

Gael Clichy expected to complete £7m move to Manchester City before start of pre-season next week

Gael Clichy is expected to complete his £7 million move from Arsenal to Manchester City in time for the start of pre-season training next week.

Clichy is currently overseas but is due back in England on Monday when the France international will finalise his transfer to Arsenal’s Premier League rivals before teaming up with his new colleagues on Tuesday.

It is understood that the 25-year-old will undergo a medical over the weekend and then put the finishing touches to a four-year contract that will see the defender almost double the salary he received at the Emirates to some £90,000-per-week.

“He is not in the country at the moment [but the] deal is more or less done and it is hoped that Gael will be with City when the players report back for the first day of pre-season training on Tuesday,” a City source told Goal.com.

“He is likely to undergo a medical at some point over the weekend but most of the other aspects of the transfer are agreed and he will be able to complete the formalities of the deal when he arrives in Manchester on Monday before preparations for the new season start.”

Clichy’s arrival will see Aleksandar Kolarov become his understudy and will hasten the departure from Eastlands of former England and Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge, who was loaned to West Ham last season and was last month linked with a move to Newcastle.

Arsenal decided to allow Clichy to depart because the player could have left on a free transfer at the end of next season with his current deal due to expire in a year’s time.

The signing of Clichy represents a major coup for the Manchester club as they prepare to compete in the Champions League for the first time because the player had been expected to join Liverpool in a £5.5m deal before City entered the race for his services.

City are also close to completing moves for Italian midfielder Alessio Cerci and Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic.

Cerci, 23, who is currently playing for Serie A side Fiorentina, will head to City in a £7m deal and will be eased into Premier League football gradually with an eye on the long-term future.

City are prepared to pay Partizan Belgrade £6m for 20-year-old centre-back Savic but the Serbian club are holding out for £8m for a player who will provide back-up for the likes of Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure.

Meanwhile, City have told Aston Villa to double the money they are currently offering for Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Shay Given.

City value the 35-year-old at £5m but Villa, who are seeking a new goalkeeper following the departure of Brad Friedel to Tottenham, have so far only offered £2.5m for a player who is also interesting Scottish Premier League side Celtic.

'I am going to Arsenal to win' – Lille's Gervinho reveals his move to England is nearly complete

 

Lille attacker Gervinho has revealed he is on the verge of signing for Arsenal and that he is joining the club to win trophies.

The 24-year-old’s imminent arrival the club will come as welcome news to Gunners fans as Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy are being heavily linked with moves away.

The Ivory Coast international revealed he chose Arsenal because he feels he would settle in far quicker and he would have the chance to win trophies.

“I chose Arsenal because it's a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily,” Gervinho told France Football.

“I could develop more over there. There [are] only a few details left to sort out.”

When asked if a move to the club could be a risk as there is more competition for places, the Ivorian replied: “A risk? Not at all. I'm going to Arsenal to play. The best risk to take is to look to score goals and to play a lot.

“In football you have to take risks if you want to win. I'm going to Arsenal to win.”

The drawn out length of the transfer did not worry the player and he said playing in the Premier League was always his intention, despite interest from other clubs.

“I had no hesitation," Gervinho continued. "None. But in a transfer there's always a period of analysis and negotiations. All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly.

“I'm going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game, and I love teams that love the game.
“The Premier League is a notch above [the rest]. It's maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation.”

Gervinho joined Lille in 2007 from Le Mans and has scored 31 goals in 75 appearances for the current Ligue 1 title holders.

He has 27 caps for his country, including playing at the 2010 World Cup under Sven-Goran Eriksson, and has netted six goals since his debut in the 2008 African Cup of Nations.