As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
Arsenal to present Juventus with offer for Felipe Melo?
Arsenal will apparently offer Juventus in the region of £15 million to let go of midfielder Felipe Melo who failed to impress in his first season in Turin and was actually involved in controversial incidents with the club’s tifosi.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger considers Melo as the ideal anchorman who can provide protection and cover for midfield general Cesc Fabregas. The French coach has been showing interest in the Brazilian midfielder for a while now and was thinking about making a move for Melo during the summer yet the player signed with Juve.
The Brazil international was signed from Fiorentina during the summer yet he did not meet expectations while he has been considered as one of the main reasons behind the club’s disastrous campaign both in the European competitions and Serie A.
It might actually suit Juve to offload the player and use the funds from his sale to bring in additional reinforcements this summer. The Bianconeri are having one of their worst seasons on record and the tifosi have grown impatient with the failures of the current management. First Ciro Ferrara was fired to be replaced by Alberto Zaccheroni which has not been a successful move then Roberto Bettega was asked to return to help the current management. Finally the club will have a new president in June with Andrea Agnelli set to take over from Jean-Claude Blanc. All these changes in management and in the coaching staff will continue as Juve remain on the lookout for a new coach to take over for next season.
Melo could well be a huge success here but 15m would be a lot considering that is what he cost juve and by all accounts he stank the place out of it this season - surely that in itself would reduce his market value ?
augie wrote:Melo could well be a huge success here but 15m would be a lot considering that is what he cost juve and by all accounts he stank the place out of it this season - surely that in itself would reduce his market value ?
...But for that to happen Juve would need to admit that they'd cocked up, and that aint going to happen
Gohouri has Prem options
Steve Gohouri's agent claims his client is wanted by at least three Premier League clubs.
The Ivorian defender is currently on the books at Wigan Athletic, who he joined on a short-term deal in January.
His contract at the DW Stadium is set to expire at the end of the season and he is yet to resolve his future.
Talks regarding a two-year agreement with the Latics have been opened, but the paperwork remains unsigned.
There is no guarantee that he will pen fresh terms with Roberto Martinez's men either, as interest in his services is said to be mounting.
Meeting
"Steve is in talks with Wigan," Gohouri's agent, Rui Pedro Alves, told skysports.com.
"We were close to a deal on Friday but then a big four team asked about his situation, keen for him to stabilise their defence for next season.
"Another club in the Premier League is also interested.
"We are due to have another meeting on Monday, so we will wait and see what happens."
Reports in France claim Arsenal are the side to have made a late bid for the African ace, while speculation also suggests that Greek giants Olympiakos have made a tentative enquiry.
