• Arsenal face Fiorentina battle for Dutch ace

    Ibrahim Afellay in action for PSV

    PSV expect Arsenal to make an approach for Ibrahim Afellay in January but talkSPORT understands Fiorentina are in pole position to land the winger.

    Arsene Wenger has admired Afellay for some time and was weighing up a move for the Dutchman in the summer transfer window.

    The Arsenal manager's interest was firm but he decided sorting out his defence was the priority, with a move for Afellay put on hold for the time being.

    But the 24-year-old will be free to speak to other clubs this January as his contract expires next summer and Wenger is expected to make his move then.

    PSV were desperate for a firm offer this summer as they wanted to raise some money rather than see Afellay leave for nothing.

    Fiorentina were the only side to make their intentions to make a bid known but they were put off by PSV's asking price of £10m.

    talkSPORT understands Wenger is still interested in Afellay but sources close to the Dutchman, who starred for Holland at this summer's World Cup, say he is top of Fiorentina's list of targets.

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Comment by osmanium posted Saturday, September 4, 2010 - 04:22

You said: "The Arsenal manager's interest was firm but he decided sorting out his defence was the priority,..."


Can someone explain to me why then a club such as Arsenal failed to secure the services of a quality goalkeeper all through the summer transfer period?


Was it perhaps indecision by the Manger?


Comment by Los AngelesAL posted Saturday, September 4, 2010 - 03:50

I simply cannot understand Arsene Wenger, if I am not mistaken RVP begged him to sign this player, ever one knows that he is very talented, at 10 mil I say this is a steal, but TIGHT WAD Wenger is hoping that he gets him on a FREE. Now he should by now know that RVP. cannot go through a full season without missing atleast 10 games a season, this is the type of player that could fit in nicely in his absence Wenger is claiming that his first objective was to strengthen his defence I agree, but how much did he spend doing so. Surely a club as big as Arsenal could have forked out between 10mil or 12 mil to land this player.. I really expect SPURS to by pass the Gunners this season for honours. I never belive I would see the day I would say this but it is a FACT. I have already condition myself for another season of heart break