Marco Bianchi
Sport News 24/7Arsenal eye £26m double defender deal
By Marco Bianchi, on 1st August 2011, 16:59 UTC
Arsene Wenger wants to bolster his defence for next season by signing both Phil Jagielka and Emilio Izaguirre, according to sources close to the club.
The Gunners defensive frailties were all too apparent during Saturday's Emirates Cup clash with Boca Juniors, when they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2.
Wenger has come in for criticism from some Arsenal fans in recent years for failing to spend big in the transfer market, but he is now planning to splash the cash on two defenders - Everton's Jagielka and Celtic's Izaguirre.
The Frenchman is aiming to complete a deal for the Toffees centre-back Jagielka, 28, in the coming week.
The England international is viewed as a priority target for the French tactician after an offer of £10m rejected last month.
It is unlikely the Gunners will match Everton's £18m valuation of the England international, but the North London club are hoping a new offer of £15m may be enough to trigger negotiations.
Wenger is also targeting Celtic left-back Izaguirre, 26, to fill the void left by Gael Clichey, who joined rivals Manchester City for £7m.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has expressed his desire to keep the Honduran at Parkhead, whilst the player's advisor Marco Tulio Suazo has said the player is happy to see out his contract with the SPL side.
But the Hoops could do business at the right price, and are holding out for a fee in the region of £11m for a player that cost just £600,000 deal from Motagua last August.
The Gunners defensive frailties were all too apparent during Saturday's Emirates Cup clash with Boca Juniors, when they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2.
Wenger has come in for criticism from some Arsenal fans in recent years for failing to spend big in the transfer market, but he is now planning to splash the cash on two defenders - Everton's Jagielka and Celtic's Izaguirre.
The Frenchman is aiming to complete a deal for the Toffees centre-back Jagielka, 28, in the coming week.
The England international is viewed as a priority target for the French tactician after an offer of £10m rejected last month.
It is unlikely the Gunners will match Everton's £18m valuation of the England international, but the North London club are hoping a new offer of £15m may be enough to trigger negotiations.
Wenger is also targeting Celtic left-back Izaguirre, 26, to fill the void left by Gael Clichey, who joined rivals Manchester City for £7m.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has expressed his desire to keep the Honduran at Parkhead, whilst the player's advisor Marco Tulio Suazo has said the player is happy to see out his contract with the SPL side.
But the Hoops could do business at the right price, and are holding out for a fee in the region of £11m for a player that cost just £600,000 deal from Motagua last August.
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