Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Arsenal transfer news and rumours: Gunners 'in talks' to sign Roma's Mattia Destro, Winston Reid to push for move, Mats Hummel rebuff

The biggest transfer news and speculation surrounding the Emirates

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 20 January 2015 10:54 GMT
Comments
Mattia Destro
Mattia Destro

ARSENAL ARRIVALS…

Arsenal are reported to be in talks with Roma striker Mattia Destro’s agent regarding a shock move to the Premier League side. Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport reports that Arsenal officials will meet with Destro’s representative Claudio Vigorelli in London later today, with the Gunners looking to bring in some extra firepower in attack after allowing Lukas Podolski and Yaya Sanogo leave on loan. They could face opposition from rivals Tottenham though, who are reported to have offered the Serie A side Roberto Soldado in a part-exchange deal.

The north London club are also being strongly linked with a move for West Ham defender Winston Reid this month despite his contract expiring at the end of the season. Reid was dropped from the Hammers side that beat Hull at the weekend with The Mirror reporting that manager Sam Allardyce is concerned with his focus. While Arsenal would like to land him for around £5m, West Ham are seeking a fee closer to £8m or risk losing him for free in the summer.

SIGNING ON…

The Independent revealed on Monday night that defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin will be offered a new deal by the Gunners in a bid to keep him at the club beyond the end of the season. The 23-year-old is enjoying a run in the first team after impressing since he was recalled from a loan spell with Charlton Athletic, but with his current deal having less than six months to run he is allowed to negotiate a move to a foreign club.

MISSING OUT…

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Mats Hummels after the World Cup winner admitted he would be happy to stay with Borussia Dortmund next season even if they’re not in the Champions League. Dortmund face the very real possibility of missing out on Europe with the club sitting in 17th position in the Bundesliga after a shocking start to the season.

When speaking to German newspaper Die Welt, Hummels said: "All those rumours are another issue I have never commented about. I've done that in the past, and I will continue to do so. [Europe] no longer is a realistic issue. The fight for the Champions League does not exist in my head. Fundamentally, I don't need to play in the Champions League to be happy. Maybe we indeed lose players should we not qualify for Champions League, but what I can already tell you is that should we not lose 15 players at once, we'll still have a super team next season."

Hummels is happy to stay at Borussia Dortmund

HEADING FOR THE EXIT…

Both Mathieu Flamini and Abou Diaby look set to leave at the end of the season. The Telegraph reports that Flamini will be sold after performing inconsistently this season, and with Ilkay Gundogan and Lars Bender on Arsene Wenger’s wish list. Diaby meanwhile has suffered another season blighted with injury, and the French midfielder will not be offered a new contract unless he can prove his fitness before the end of the season.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in