Category: Featured Articles

Arsenal are thought to be one of the clubs to have made an offer for the Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero, who impressed at the World Cup 2014. Even though Ecuador were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stages, they came close to qualifying for the last 16 stage. It was only because of the 0-0 draw with France that they failed to achieve this aim. Ecuador were one of the poorest teams from Latin America a decade ago, but this current generation of players have transformed them into one of the strongest.

A high-profile player with the Ecuadorian ranks is Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia. It looks as if Montero will join the list after the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham have reportedly made an offer for him. He confirmed after the 0-0 draw with France that he will certainly leave the Mexican league in this transfer window. After having played with Villarreal in Europe, Montero came back to Mexican football in the last two years. Now, he reckons that it is time to head back to Europe and play for the big clubs.

Even though he admitted that he is likely to seal the transfer the next few weeks, the destination still remains a mystery. Montero refused to reveal the identity of the club close to signing him. “It’s certain that I’ll leave the league, but let’s see where I’ll go. We expect to sort it out within the next few days. I already have an offer, the club are handling it. Let’s see where I’ll go but for now I have some days off. I can tell you that it won’t be Mexico. It will be Europe and thank God we are working on it, I hope it works out,” said the striker about joining the Premier League.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Insigne’s agent has claimed that his client is extremely happy and honoured to know that a club like Arsenal are interested in signing him. The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the key transfer targets for Arsenal in the summer. He will be taking part in the World Cup 2014 for the Italian national team. After making 36 appearances in the league last season, he scored just three goals. However, his overall contribution to the team helped them finished third in the league table. Moreover, Arsenal are looking at a striker who will be a backup to Giroud and not a first choice player.

It is believed that the 23-year-old fits exactly into those requirements and his price will also be much lower than top class centre forwards like Gonzalo Higuain and Mario Balotelli. Arsenal have also been linked with these players as well. Even though Lorenzo Insigne has a contract with Napoli for the next four years, he has been reportedly made aware of the interest from the Premier league outfit. His agent, Antonio Ottaiano, has stated that they have been aware of Arsene Wenger speaking in glowing terms of the striker.

This is likely to pave way for a bid after the World Cup 2014. “We take into account the praising reports that Wenger has given about the player. We are honoured that a club like Arsenal could have Lorenzo on their wish list. However, from here to take it to the next level, that is a possible transfer, there is a huge mountain in between named Napoli. The club consider him without a shadow of a doubt as one of their key players for their ambitious project,” said the player’s agent. Arsenal won the FA Cup title last season – their first major trophy nine years.

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, who helped the club reach the final of the FA Cup by scoring the equaliser in the semi-final, says that he wants the players to go out and win the trophy for the fans. A victory will finally ended the trophy drought which has been in the minds of long-suffering Arsenal fans. The club has not won a major trophy since the FA Cup victory in 2005. Even though there have been numerous occasions when they have come close, it has largely been a decade to forget for the club.

The FA Cup final this year is more crucial than in previous years since it would also determine the future of several players and also the manager. It is believed that Arsene Wenger is delaying the signing of a new contract in order to see the outcome of the final. A poor result could bring an end to his time in the club. Mertesacker scored in the 1-1 draw with Wigan, in which Arsenal went on to win the semi-final on penalties. He says that the fans deserve success for staying with the club even during the troubled times.

Mertesacker has gone on to become one of the important players for the club after becoming an Arsenal player in 2011.
“I had a hard first season but they encouraged me so I have to give them credit. Especially in my first season they always covered me and always backed me up and gave me that bit of confidence you need as a player. (Winning the cup) would mean a lot, that would be a big step for our team. We went through a lot of difficulties. We were top of the league, then we dropped points and then came back to fourth position. We want to keep our run now,” said Mertesacker.