Gunners close to Andre Santos deal.
Arsenal are said to be close to finalising a deal for Brazilian international left-back Andre Santos from Fenerbahce, Sky Sports reports.
Santos is set to arrive from Turkey in a deal worth just over £6m and will strengthen the Arsenal defence that shipped eight goals against Manchester United on Sunday. The 28 year old Brazilian has over 20 caps for his country and is now believed to be on a flight to the Emirates Stadium to sign the personal terms and a medical.
Arsenal are in need of cover at left-back following Gael Clichy’s summer transfer to Manchester City and the prospective transfer of Armand Traore to QPR. Arsenal should complete the deal for Santos on Tuesday and he will be in the squad for next week’s home game against newly-promoted Swansea City.
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Late Sneijder interest.
Arsenal are reported to have made a late enquiry for Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder, but have been rejected by the midfielder, The Daily Mail reports.
Sneijder had been linked with Manchester United all summer, but Arsenal have made a late enquiry about the Dutchman as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is under pressure to deliver a big name with the transfer window set to close on Wednesday night.
Wenger is desperate to plug the gaps left by Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas’ departures away from the club and Sneijder will fit the role that Wenger is looking for. Sneijder himself was interested in a move to Manchester United, but his wages of £250,000 a week prove a stumbling block for both clubs and he will stay in Milan for this summer at least.
Sneijder said: ‘I’m staying at Inter. I don’t think I’ll leave at this moment in the market. Manchester United? Anything is possible in football, but I don’t think this time something will happen. I know that if I were to leave, it would have to be for the right price. Inter was clear about that’.
Board back Wenger.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been given total backing by the Arsenal board and his position at the club is ‘rock solid’, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The Gunners remain convinced that they have the right manager at Arsenal and the long-term strategy with Wenger is where the Gunners want it to be. Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke firmly believes that the Frenchman is one of the outstanding coaches in world sport and is fully supportive of Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
A club source said: ‘Arsene has the absolute backing and solidarity of the board. His position is rock solid. Arsene is a manager with a great record and the club expect to be working with him for years to come.’
Wenger himself has apologised for the humiliating 8-2 defeat at Manchester United and the Gunners have taken the step of offering a free ticket to a future away game to the 3,000 fans that travelled to Old Trafford. Wenger is now looking to bring in new players to strengthen the club and push on from their shocking start to the season.
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