Arsenal eyeing Chelsea triple swoop to strengthen squad
Published:Arsene Wenger knows the importance of bringing new faces to Arsenal before the closing of the transfer window and is planning an audacious raid on Chelsea for three signings.
In a bid to add some muscle to their under-strength defence, Arsenal are interested in Alex, but are hoping to land their man for less Chelsea’s £10m asking price.
Alex began the campaign alongside John Terry at the heart of the Chelsea defence, but a rugged start, including a mistake that led to a goal being conceded against West Brom, has seen him lose his place to Branislav Ivanovic.
Meanwhile, as Arsenal have failed to score in two of their opening three Premier League games and sold Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri this summer, they are also hoping to boost their midfield creativity.
With new signing Juan Manuel Mata offering versatility to Chelsea’s midfield, this may mean that they are prepared to part with either Florent Malouda or Yossi Benayoun, although Arsenal are keen on both.
According to The Sun, Arsenal are weighing up an £8m approach for Malouda, who has made a habit of both scoring and assisting goals regularly in the past two seasons.
Benayoun is perhaps the most likely of the trio to be allowed to leave and has already been linked with Tottenham and Liverpool this summer.
Ahead of any of these three deals, Arsenal are set to buy Brazilian left-back Andre Santos from Fenerbahce, with a transfer fee already having been agreed.
Santos now has to pass his medical and will step into the first-team spot vacated by Gael Clichy’s move to Manchester City.
Some new signings may boost morale within the Arsenal camp following their sluggish and humiliating start and they have a strong chance of picking up their first league victory of the campaign against Swansea next.
Arsenal’ odds are 4/11 to beat Swansea at the Emirates.
