Gunners silent on Sagna reports - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Gunners silent on Sagna reports

Arsenal are yet to respond to reports that they are about to sign French full-back Bakary Sagna from Auxerre and allow Freddie Ljungberg to leave for Fiorentina.

French sports daily L'Equipe claim Sagna, 24, is currently in London and ready to complete a medical once the two clubs agree on a fee, while reports from Italy indicate that Fiorentina are confident of beating off rival Premiership interest from Sunderland and Manchester City for Sweden midfielder Ljungberg.

In June, Sagna, seen as a long-term replacement for Willy Sagnol at right-back in the France national side, was called up to the squad to face Ukraine and Georgia but has still to win his first cap.

Arsenal currently have Ivory Coast star Emmanuel Eboue in pole position at right-back and manager Arsene Wenger has tagged him a "future great".

Now Auxerre expect Sagna back in training at the end of the week if he does not tie up a switch to the Emirates Stadium, where fans are waiting to see what plans the manager has to compensate for the loss of superstar striker Thierry Henry in a £16million move to Barcelona.

It is a question that centre-back William Gallas, signed from Chelsea in an exchange deal with Ashley Cole last season, has brought into sharp focus by reportedly demanding crisis talks with Wenger over his failure to bring in big names.

Arsenal have to finance their huge investment in the new Emirates Stadium and speculation has been rife that Wenger will have to let other star players go and rely on his youngsters, who reached the Carling Cup final last season and helped the club stay in fourth place in the Premier League.

But 30-year-old Ljungberg's future also remains in doubt in north London after nine years at the club and he is being pursued by Fiorentina, who are said have instructed sporting director Pantaleo Corvino to try to broker a deal.

It is not clear whether Ljungberg has had talks with Corvino following earlier denials from the player's agent that the player wanted a move.

Meanwhile, Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas has again insisted he is committed to Arsenal despite fresh interest from Real Madrid.

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