Rumour Mill

After a long, long break away from tracking rumours we’re back. Look for regular aggregated updates on the rumours floating out in the web. Please remember, we don’t generate these rumours, they come from a variety of different outlets and we do not and cannot validate them as to their truthfulness.  - DAG

24 May (RMC) With the transfer status of RB Bacary Sagna unknown Arsenal are said to be looking at a variety of options to replace him should he decide to leave. One candidate is said to be Toulouse fullback Serge Aurier. Lyon are also reportedly interested in Aurier, who can play at fullback and as an attacking winger.

24 May (Mirror) Arsenal are said to be weighing up a bid for PSV Eindhoven midfielderKevin Strootman. Strootman, who is also drawing interest from Manchester United, has declared he is considering his options this summer. The Mirror reports that Arsenal have had Strootman under consideration as a replacement for Abou Diaby. Wenger wants a new midfield signing and is rumoured to be considering either Strootman and Lyon’s Maxime Gonalons as potential candidates.

24 May (sudouest.fr) Bordeaux are said to be open to the possible return ofMarouane Chamakh but only on a free transfer. The Moroccan striker is on the outer at Arsenal and is being linked with a summer shift to his former club. Les Girondins president Jean-Louis Triaud says he would like to hear from Chamakh if the player is keen to head back to the Stade Chaban Delmas but according to sudouest.fr the French side only wants him on a free transfer.

24 May (Express)  Arsenal are said to be going for VfL Bochum’s 18 year old midfielder Leon Goretzka. The Daily Express says Manchester United appear to have dropped out of the race for him, whilst Arsenal are still locked in a battle for his signature. Goretzka reportedly could fetch around £3m for Bochum this summer.

24 May (Express)  Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has thrown out a big come and get me plea to Arsenal. He is quoted by the Daily Express saying: “I hope that if I leave my club a deal can be done more quickly than the one last year. ”There is no point in me getting into a tug-of-war with Villa, and I don’t think there is any need for one. If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I am convinced that we can reach a compromise where everybody comes out a winner.”

21 May (Tribal Football)  Arsenal are said to be tracking Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek. The Poland wing-back is under consideration as a replacement forBacary Sagna should the french international decide to leave Arsenal.Sagna has refused to discuss his future but is being strongly linked to PSG and AS Monaco. 

21 May (Various) Depending on which paper and which country or which web site you read, Stevan Jovetic either wants to come to Arsenal, Man City, or Juventus. Additionally, either his agent is in London or talking to Juve and La Viola are asking anywhere from £25-£35 million. One thing is sure that according to Fiorentina owner, Della Valle they are resigned to the strong likelihood that Jovetic will be off in the summer. The facts you should know are this – it’s unlikely that Fiorentina would sign such a strong player to Juventus, that would be akin to Roma selling to Lazio – Man City were at one point interested but are said to now be leading the chase for Edinson Cavani (shudder) – rumours linking him to Chelsea are likely false as they are said to be strongly linked with Mario Gomez. That means if he is actually willing to leave, it would put Arsenal in the pole position. Stay tuned this one isn’t going to end quickly.

21 May (Telegraph) Arsenal are said to be willing to break their transfer record to land Real Madrid striker Higuain. The Telegraph reports that Arsenal have been  interested in Higuaín  when he was playing at River Plate back in 2007.  Reports indiciate that the club feels they could get him for what would be a club-record transfer fee of £19 million.

17 May (10 Sport)  Marouane Chamakh says he could leave Arsenal to return to Bordeauxthis summer. The Morocco international, 29, says that if he does ever go back toLigue 1 he would only be interested in a return to Bordeaux. ”I am always nostalgic. I spent so many good times here,” he told 10 Sport on a visit to the region for a charity event. ”Everyone knows that Bordeaux is a club that is in my heart. If I find an agreement with Bordeaux, why not.” Asked if it really might be possible, he continued: “Yes, this is possible because there is a good chance that I will not stay at Arsenal.

17 May (the Sun) Arsene Wenger has denied Arsenal have made a move to sign Wayne Rooney. “We have no interest in anybody. I do not know if United will sell Rooney. That is the best sign to show that we have not made any approach for him. “The first thing would be to call United, which we have not done. We are focused on Sunday.”

17 May (Mirror) Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal are close to signing Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo. French under-21 centre forward Sanogo, 20, has been offered a four year deal by Arsenal and is expected to complete the move within a fortnight. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: “We are advanced with him, but it’s not done. I’m very confident (it will be done). He’s a young striker who is promising. He has some talent. Big talent.”

15 May (Mail) Arsenal are said to be tracking Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain. Securing a top-four position will be vital to Wenger’s plans to bolster his squad this summer. Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic is reported to be Arsenal’s top target, while they arealso said to be monitoring the transfer status of Real Madridstriker Higuain. The Argentinian, who could cost close to £20m, is a long-term target for Arsenal, who looked into signing him when he played for River Plate.

15 May (Mirror) Arsene Wenger refused to rule out a sensational move forManchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with the unsettled Manchester United star over the weekend, and is usually quick to deny interest in supposed transfer targets. But Wenger has told the Mirror: “Look, I’m not in a position today to speak about any transfer targets. What I am focused on is the short term and after the Newcastle game I give you answer about these questions.” And when pressed as to whether he could ever see such a major player leaved Old Trafford for Arsenal, Wenger added: “I just told you!”

13 May (Mirror)  Arsenal are confident landing Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic – so long as they finish in the top four. The Sunday Mirror says Arsenal‘s players believe the £20million-ratedFiorentina forward is on his way if the club can secure a top four finish. That would be a huge boost for Wenger who believes Jovetic can be the key signing this summer to help turn the club back into title contenders next season. Montenegro striker Jovetic is also being chased by Juventus and it may take a £100,000-a-week contract to land the 23-year-old. But if Arsenal secure Champions League football then they are in pole position, having recently opened talks with Fiorentina who are likely to sell this summer

13 May (Daily Star) Arsenal are said to be lining up a sensational raid for Manchester United star Wayne Rooney. The Daily Star Sunday says  Arsene Wenger is a big admirer of the England striker and armed with a major transfer budget this summer which could possibly lead to a £25 million offer for Rooney, 27. The United striker is bemused at claims that he indicated he wanted to leave United. But Arsenal are said to be eyeing the situation, however wages of more than £200,000-a-week and United’s expected reluctance to sell – particularly to another English club – represent major hurdles

9 May (Daily Mail) According to the Mail, Arsenal have have watched Stuttgart’s Sven Ulreich in the quest to find another goalkeeper to replace or challenge Wojciech Szczesny.  The 24-year-old is a former Germany U21 international and was seen by Arsenal scouts during the 2-1 win over Freiburg last month.Arsenal have reportedly considered Rene Adler, Simon Mignolet, Asmir Begovic, Julio Cesar, Victor Valdes and Liverpool’s Pepe Reina as goal keeping options

8 May (Daily Star) According to the Daily Star if Arsenal want to sign QPR striker Loic Remy this summer they need to move fast to beat out other EPL rivals looking for a striker. The Daily Star says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is battling to convince his board to move for Remy. Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Everton are also keen on Remy.

8 May (Tribal Football) Fiorentina president Andrea Dalla Valle remains hopeful of keeping hold of Stevan Jovetic. Jovetic is a top target for Arsenal and Manchester City ahead of the summer market. Della Valle said: “We’ll talk about this in the next 10 days: you know that last year in Moena I talked to the guy at the end of the season, we will talk about me and him. ”I hope that he stays. Until the end of the season I will not talk about the market.”

8 May (The People)  Galatasaray are said to be chasing Arsenal attacker Lukas Podolski. The People says the Turkish club are believed to be willing to pay £12m for Podolski, who Arsenal signed for £10.9m last summer from Cologne. The Germany international has struggled to find his best form this season.

30 April (Mirror) With QPR‘s relegation confired it will likely spark a scramble for striker Loic Remy. The Mirror says Liverpool have now joined the hunt for £8million-rated Remy, who is also attracting strong interest from Arsenal, Everton, Spurs and Inter Milan. The 26-year-old Frenchman has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for the amount that Rangers paid for him back in January in the event of relegation. Arsenal are understood to have had Remy watched for a second time at the Madejski this past weekend.

30 April (The Sun) Arsenal are said to be watching Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia. The Sun says the £17million-rated France Under-20 midfielder is also onChelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid’s radar. Wenger said: “I don’t really want to talk about Kondogbia too much because everyone’s after him at the moment. “When you ask ‘Are you also interested?’ what do you expect me to say?” Wenger is desperate for a quality holding midfielder. One problem standing in the way of Arsenal signing Kondogbia could be the players affinity for Real Madrid

30 April (Tribal Football) Real Betis have reportedly opened talks with Arsenal for striker Marouane Chamakh. Betis, which are developing closer links with the Gunners, are keen to sign the Morocco international permanently. Chamakh has failed to make an impression on-loan West Ham and has little future at the Emirates.

30 April ( Daily Mirror) The Mirror reports that David Villa will try to force a move from Barcelona to save his World Cup playing chances - but may have missed his chance to go to Arsenal. Spain superstar Villa, 31, was a January target for Arsenal and was keen to try and get more regular football with next year’s World Cup in mind. But Barcelona refused to sell despite having enquiries from Arsenal andManchester City - and yet he has still continued to be a bit-part player under Tito Vilanova. Whether Arsenal are still interested is a topic for much debate.

25 April (Daily Mirror) - Arsenal are reportedly set to clinch a deal for Barcelona‘s 16-year-old Julio Pleguezuelo Selva. Premier League rivals Tottenham and Manchester City were both tracking the teenager, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is said to be the one  who will prevail in the chase for Selva’s signature. If the Gunners are successful they will land the Spaniard on the cheap, as he hasn’t yet signed a contract at Barca, according to the Daily Mirror

25 April (People) -  Arsenal are said to be eyeing QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar. The People says the QPR star is happy with life in the capital but wants to stay in the top flight. With Rangers heading for relegation, 33-year-old Cesar is likely to leave, with Robert Green expected to be in goal in the Championship. And that has alerted Gunners boss Arsene Wenger who wants to sign an experienced man to have between the sticks. Wenger was hoping to land Barcelona’s Victor Valdes but the Spanish giants are now unwilling to let him leave.

25 April (Daily Mail) - Arsenal have reportedly gone cold on Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. The Daily Mail says Arsenal have been put off signing keeper Mignolet after being quoted £15million by Sunderland. The Black Cats are in the process of offering Mignolet a new contract upgrade.