Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Sign Finnish Right Back

Well, Arsene Wenger certainly meant business when he said that he was going to be active in the transfer window. Arsenal have started off their summer spending spree, or what fans hope will be a spending spree anyways, with the signing of Charlton right back Carl Jenkinson for a reported compensation fee of around 1 million pounds.

The Finnish Football Association have confirmed that Arsenal have signed Carl Jenkinson from Charlton Athletic. A compensation package of around £1 million has been agreed.

Arsenal moved for Jenkinson two months ago, after he rejected a new contract with Charlton. The life-long Gooner quickly agreed terms with the Gunners, but the two clubs have been thrashing out a compensation package, as Carl is under 24.

Jenkinson is a right footed right back who can play anywhere across the back four, and even in midfield if need be. This versatility is a very valuable quality for a squad player to possess, and Jenkinson will provide emergency cover for Arsenal’s injury prone centre backs in addition to being understudy to Bacary Sagna. He is of goodish height, another thing Arsenal currently lack.

He’s a hard-working, committed lad who wants the ball by all accounts of him coming in so far, so this signing might turn out to be a potentially solid one. Plus he’s a lifelong Gooner, and that always leads to a slight soft spot among the fans, not to mention an increased desire to do well for the club.

This deal has been in the pipeline for a few months now, with whispers coming in of its impending completion for quite some time. It’s always better to complete whatever transfer business necessary early on in the window so that the players can have a proper pre-season with the club, so it certainly ticks those boxes.

If you think I’m gushing about this signing too much, well firstly, it’s a signing and I always pinch myself when we sign a player. Secondly, this does seem like a good squad signing, and the kind of player who will only improve with experience and opportunities. We still need to strengthen in areas where we need real quality. Right back however was not in desperate need of reinforcement. Sagna has been ten different kinds of awesome this season, and Jenkinson will learn from him and keep him from tiring too much next season hopefully.

What this news means for Eboue is anyone’s guess though.

Breaking News:Gael Clichy tells Arsenal he wants to leave with Inter leading chase.

The French left-back is ready to turn down interest from English clubs and make a £5.5m move.

Now this could be good news for Arsenal knowing that left back has been very inconsistent over the past few seasons.  

Liverpool and Manchester City have both made approaches for the 25-year-old while German side Bayern Munich have also made the left-back aware of their interest.

Clichy, whose contract expires in 2012, has told manager Arsene Wenger he is ready to pursue a move to a new club. Sources close to the France international believe a departure is now inevitable.

Inter have made their interest in Clichy clear to Arsenal and held informal talks with the player. The Gunners are demanding a £5.5 (€6.3) million fee for their longest-serving player and will not stand in the way of a move, given that Clichy can move for free in 12 months time.

Should the Serie A outfit meet the Gunners' asking price then a switch could be completed early in the transfer window.

Inter’s on-loan Japanese left-back Yuto Nagatomo has been a big hit at San Siro since January but Cristian Chivu struggled in that role earlier in the season and the Italian club are keen to permanently fill what has become a problem position for them.

Clichy, who can also expect a hike on his £50,000-a-week (€57,000) wages given the more favourable tax rates in Italy, fits the bill as a proven performer at left-back.

Bayern have let their interest in Clichy be known as they look to recruit a new left-back and central defender during the forthcoming window.

Arsenal announces summer Asia tour

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that the first-team squad will be travelling to Asia in July for a pre-season tour.

Arsenal will play two matches during the week-long tour, kicking-off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before travelling to China, where the team will play a match close to the city of Hangzhou.

After arriving in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, July 11, Arsenal will play a match against a Malaysia XI in the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, July 13, kick off 8.45pm local time.

The team will then travel to Hangzhou, China, where they will play against Chinese Super League side Hangzhou GreenTown on Saturday, July 16, kick off 7.30pm local time. This match will be played at Meihu Sports Center in Yiwu City.

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is excited to be visiting both Malaysia and China. We enjoy huge support in Asia and this will help bring the Club closer to our fans in both countries.

“The Club has a tradition of playing in Malaysia going back to the 1960s. This will be our fourth visit to Malaysia, having last visited Kuala Lumpur in 1999. We are also looking forward to returning to China, where we last played a pre-season friendly in Beijing in 1995.

“It will also be a wonderful experience for the Club and our players, many of whom will be visiting Malaysia and China for the first time.”

The travelling party will return to London after the match against Hangzhou GreenTown to continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2011/2012 Premier League season, which starts on the weekend of Saturday, August 13, 2011.

Ticket details and travel options for supporters wishing to attend both matches will feature soon on Arsenal.com.

In addition to the tour of Malaysia and China, the Club has already confirmed the details for Emirates Cup 2011, which is being played at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31.

Emirates Cup 2011 will see Arsenal joined by MLS side New York Red Bulls, who currently boast Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry in their ranks, leading French club Paris Saint-Germain and Club Atlético Boca Juniors - the most successful Argentine and South American club of all time.

Ricardo Alvarez 'becomes first Arsenal transfer of summer window'

Arsenal have reportedly secured their first signing of the summer with Ricardo Alvarez set to arrive from Velez Sarsfield in the Argentinian league.


Velez Sarsfield player Ricardo Alvarez is apparently set to move to Arsenal at the end of the season(Left)

The Argentinian attacking midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, and South American media are claiming he’s already signed a deal to take him to the Emirates in June.

The move would represent a significant coup for Arsene Wenger, as the 23-year-old has been likened to Lionel Messi after enjoying an impressive season in the Primera Division.

Velez Sarsfield are currently top of the Argentinian league and Alvarez has contributed three goals in 25 appearances, but it’s the attacking flair and silky dribbling of the 6ft 2in winger that’s really caught the eye.

Alvarez holds an Italian passport and can play across the entire midfield, suggesting one of Tomas Rosicky, Andrey Arshavin, or Carlos Vela will be headed for the exit door.

Wenger has pledged to strengthen his squad this summer and news of the potential capture of the little-known midfielder will come as no surprise to Gunners fans, who have become accustomed to obscure names arriving in north London.

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£17M Dutch Ace Would Be A Classy City Signing Beyond Arsenal or Everton's pocket.

Manchester City are to spend big once again this summer as they target Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen. The Belgium international has been in impressive form this season for the Amsterdam club and has attracted interest from several clubs in the Premier League.

The 24 year-old is valued at a reported £17m which is likely to put off clubs such as Everton and Arsenal who have also been tracking the defender. Ajax coach, Frank De Boer himself has confirmed the interest of the Eastlands club after Mancini was seen casting an eye over the Belgian at the Dutch Cup final on Sunday.

“(Assistant coach) Danny Blind told me that Mancini was at the stadium and I know that Manchester City are interested in signing him” said De Boar according to reports in De Telegraaf.

Vertonghen joined Ajax at the age of 15 and has developed into a fan favourite at the club. The Belgian has made the centre back role his own since the departure of Thomas Vermaelen after initially playing in several roles across the defence and even in midfield. No wonder the Amsterdam Arena faithful have given him the title of ‘Mr Versatility’ as he can be utilised in positions across the park.

Vertonghen’s ability to play in any position in defence or midfield would be a huge advantage for Mancini’s team as they prepare for Champions League football. The Ajax defender also has an immense ability in dead ball situations which would add an extra dimension to City’s game. It is believed that Mancini would want to partner the player up with Belgian compatriot, Vincent Kompany in the heart of the City defence. The partnership of Kompany and Lescott has impressed this season but there are questions over the ability of Joleon Lescott to make it as an established Champions League defender.

Jan Vertonghen is not exactly a marquee signing that would strike fear into their premier league rivals but it is a sign of Mancini’s commitment to building his own team at Eastlands. If the Manchester City boss really wants to develop a strong squad to challenge in the Champions League next season then ‘Mr Versatility’ might just be the man to add that new dimension to City.