Arsenal willing to bid €50million for Isco in January (Buzz Sport)
Isco is lacking playing time under Rafael Benitez and with the European Championships coming up in the summer, the Spaniard looks like he wants out. Arsene Wenger may once again take advantage of Madrid’s willingness to sell. Whilst an attacking midfielder is not what we need right now, a player of Isco’s calibre does not become available often and as Wenger is a long-term fan, I think if the Spaniard became available Arsene would go for it. He’s only 23 and still has time to realise his World Class potential, but he needs to be playing regularly. Are Arsenal his next club?
Mesut Ozil in talks to sign new £160,000 deal (Various)
News that Mesut Ozil is set to sign a new contract is spreading. The German is in the form of his life right now, with 13 assists so far this season. Arsenal are looking to react to that form and extend his contract, which expires in 2018. The new deal is likely to include a wage rise of at least £30,000 on his current deal and looks likely to expire in 2020. That means we would the playmaker effectively tied down until he is 32. Sounds good to me.
Arsenal poised to make £11.9million Brozovic bid (Telegraph)
The Telegraph are citing ‘reports in Italy’ and suggesting that Arsenal could be set to bid nearly £12million for Inter Milan central midfielder Brozovic. The Croatian was a target for Arsenal before he moved to Italy, but Arsenal could make a move now that Brozovic’s playing time is being restricted. He’s often used from the bench by Roberto Mancini and if Arsenal could offer him more regular game time he may be tempted by a move. Capable of playing in a more reserved role and advanced central role – Brozovic stands at 6ft tall and may be earmarked as a long term replacement for Tomas Rosicky, who cannot find fitness.
Besiktas admit they want to sign David Ospina (Turkish Football)
Besiktas are in the market for a goalkeeper in January and have gone public with their interest in Ospina. The Colombian stopper has not played for Arsenal since that calamitous error against Olympiacos at home, an error which almost cost the Gunners a place in the last 16.
The Besiktas vice-president is quoted as saying: “We are interested in Ospina and goalkeepers of his caliber but just because we want him does not mean he come we have to agree with his club and take his contract into consideration.”
However it is now being reported that Arsenal are blocking a move, stating they do not want to lose Ospina in the middle of the season. When Woijech Szczesny and Damian Martinez return from loan at the end of the year though, the response could be very different from Arsenal.