Zelalem in action for Arsenal's youth team (Photo: Getty)
Borussia Dortmund have been linked with a move for Arsenal youngster, Gedion Zelalam.
But the Bundesliga club's manager, Thomas Tuchel, claims that he is not looking to complete any move this month.
Zelalem, 19, has struggled to get near to a first-team opportunity under Arsene Wenger and it is believed that he would consider an exit.
But Tuchel told ESPN: “I don’t think that we add somebody [in January]. We had a lot of new players and it all takes time [to settle]. Even the German guys, who have a lot of experience, you have to admit that it took its time for them [to settle]. Every change in a club takes time.
“Right now, the group is growing together. We had to change a lot because we had too many injuries. We wish for more players to be healthy, more players on the pitch who can play week after week, they need those minutes. Right now, we don’t want to add somebody.”
“(Zelalem?) Right now? No. Not as far as I’m concerned,”
Gunners miss out on Upamecano
Premier League giants, Manchester United and Arsenal have missed out on one of Europe’s hottest prospects.
French defender, Dayot Upamecano has been watched by a host of the continent’s biggest clubs in the first half of the season, including the Premier League pair and Spanish giants, Barcelona.
The 18-year-old had been earning rave reviews for his performances with Austrian side, Red Bull Salzburg.
But now Upamecano has completed a move to RB Leipzig, the German upstarts.
A €12million deal has taken him to the Bundesliga, ahead of its resumption next week, with Upamecano signing a deal until 2021 with his new club.
Wenger coy on future of himself, Sanchez and Ozil
Arsene Wenger laughed when he remembered the time Sir Alex Ferguson told him he would make a good poker player.
“It was when I sold (Robin) van Persie,” said Wenger, recalling his negotiations with the former Manchester United boss in 2012.
Arsenal fans will not recall that £24million deal - selling their captain and top scorer to one of their main rivals, where he won the title in his debut season - with much affection.
But Wenger does still have a poker face when it comes to contract negotiations, whether it be his own future or those of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
There is a two year-contract on the table ready and waiting for Wenger to sign. But, just like his star pair, Wenger has yet to put pen to paper.
Ozil and Sanchez are trying to drive hard bargains, have got 18 months left on their current deals, both know their worth and want in excess of £250,000-a-week.
It would be tough for Wenger to demand that both of them sign up at a time when he is stalling on his own contract negotiations.
The feeling around the Arsenal boss is that he will sign - barring an end-of-season meltdown.
No comments:
Post a Comment