Arsenal have been quoted a staggering £22million by Newcastle as they prepare a stunning move for midfielder Yohan Cabaye in the January transfer window.
Arsene Wenger is after another creative talent in the centre of Arsenal’s midfield and Cabaye can leave if they north London club match Newcastle’s valuation.
They will be rivalled by PSG, which may explain why the price has shot up.
Cabaye has been in impressive form of late and scored his fourth of the season in the Barclays Premier League when Alan Pardew’s side won 3-0 at Crystal Palace last Saturday.
Arsenal moved for Cabaye at the start of the season and he was left out of the matchday squad for Newcastle’s season opener at Manchester City.
Pardew claimed his head had been turned by Wenger’s interest, but Newcastle refused to sell. They rejected a bid of around £10m.
The player has knuckled down since, won over the dissenters in the Toon Army and produced some sparkling displays. He scored the winner at Manchester United as Newcastle won at Old Trafford for the first time since 1972.
Newcastle are currently in sixth place, six points off the top.
Leaders Arsenal are refusing to give up on one of the most creative talents in the Premier League – and a player who will need little adjustment. They want him in place for the second half of the season.
Newcastle are reluctant to sell the player, but they have told Arsenal that it will cost them £22m to sign him. At that price, it will be difficult to resist for a player who cost £4million from Lille in 2011.
Pardew said recently that he thinks he can keep him at the club and prove Newcastle’s ambition. ‘I don’t fear losing Yohan. What I know is that he is a fantastic footballer, and I think he’s improving.
‘He’s in an environment where he has got pole position in my team. That’s nice for a player like him. You don’t always get that. You can get lost at other clubs.’
He was critical of Arsenal’s conduct the last time they came in for Cabaye on the eve of the season.
‘What I can confirm is that, on the eve of a game, we had a bid for a player that we don’t think is acceptable,’ said Pardew before a 4-0 loss to Manchester City.
‘Therefore, I have to pick what I think is a team out here that’s going to get us a result. The rights and wrongs of that bid are for other people to make their own opinion. I know what my opinion of it is.
‘I don’t want to keep going over the same point that is the main focus for the media today, but my main focus is to try and get a result for the fans and players.’
After the loss, Pardew expressed his frustration at the timing of Arsenal’s bid.
‘We’ve prepared with the lad for three days and then for him to have his head turned by this bid from Arsenal on the eve of the game is just disrespectful. Why it couldn’t have waited until tomorrow morning I do not know.’
Cabaye is 27 – and Arsenal may feel that price is too high, although the club are keen to support Wenger and show their ambition as they chase the title.
Wenger is also interested in a striker in Germany as he searches for alternative attacking options.
Olivier Giroud has played the majority of games up front for Arsenal this season, but Wenger is determined to add more firepower to his team.
Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂
