The January transfer rumours are starting already. The Line-up: Anzhi Makhachkala are targeting several world-class stars, including Robin van Persie. Arsenal are close to signing 16-year old Jose Rodriguez from Real Madrid. Salomon Kalou could make a move to the Emirates in the winter.
Manchester City are not the only super-wealthy club who are hoping to sign Robin van Persie. Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are looking to add high-priced stars, and captain Roberto Carlos named a few of their targets (quotes obtained from ESPN):
“Anelka is not the only player. Nene from PSG and Van Persie from Arsenal are players we are following. And Neymar? I talked to him. If Real, Barca or Manchester United cannot pay the transfer fee, we will pay it. Suleyman Kerimov can offer what he wants.”
Remember that Anzhi signed Samuel Eto’o away from Inter and made him the highest paid footballer in the world. If Robin is looking for an inflated wage bill, he should look no further. It is likely that the Dutchman would not want a move to Anzhi, where the players live in Moscow and only visit Makhachkala on match day due to the violence in the city.
Apparently, Anzhi want to offer Ashley Cole £200,000 per week. I assume that Cashley booked the first flight of the day to Moscow.
According to various sources, Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Real Madrid 16-year old midfielder Jose Rodriguez. The Gunners decided to move for Rodriguez after his player of the tournament display at U-17 world club championship. According to the Daily Mail, Rodriguez has been in London for two days preparing for the switch.
Wenger’s tastes are shifting. It used to be young French players, and now he fancies young Spanish players. Three teenagers (Ignasi Miquel, Hector Bellerin, John Miquel Toral) have been plucked from the Barcelona youth academy recently, and now Wenger is raiding the Madrid youth system.
The Daily Mail are reporting that Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in signing 26-year old Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou. Arsene Wenger originally wanted to sign Kalou from Feyenoord, but Chelsea won that battle. Arsenal are ready to offer £6 million for Kalou.
Kalou could form a nice attacking partnership with Gervinho. Both players know each other from the Ivory Coast national side.
Usually, I do not post about transfer rumours this early, but news is slow during the international break. Speaking of which, check back tomorrow for a full report on the Gunners who played for their country during the break.
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