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Wenger leads the hunt for Dutch striker Huntelaar
James Olley and David Smith29 Jul 2009
Arsenal are in pole position to sign Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after Tottenham withdrew their interest in the Real Madrid striker following their £9million capture of Portsmouth's Peter Crouch.
The 25-year-old turned down a £17m switch to German club Stuttgart last week because he preferred a move to the Premier League with both the Gunners and Spurs registering an interest.
But it is believed that the signing of England forward Crouch has ended Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp's pursuit of Huntelaar, leaving Arsenal as the favourites to sign him.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has suggested he will wait until after this weekend's Emirates Cup before making his next move in the transfer market having signed centre-back Thomas Vermaelen and allowed Emmanuel Adebayor to leave.
Kolo Toure is expected to join Adebayor at Manchester City in a £16m move but Wenger said: "At the moment I am more focused on getting everybody fit for the start of the season.
"We are looking at opportunities as well. There are still some pre-season games to see what we really need and when the time has come we will do something. I wouldn't like to set a time on it."
Another target, Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, is prepared to wait until the 31 August deadline for Arsenal to make their move, giving Wenger time to attempt to drive down Huntelaar's £17m asking price.
Arsenal face Hannover 96 in their final warm-up match in Austria tonight before heading home for the four-team Emirates Cup which will feature matches against Atletico Madrid and Rangers.
Brede Hangeland is known to be wanted by Wenger as a replacement for Toure, but the Fulham defender said today he was in no hurry to quit Craven Cottage.
Before flying to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius for Fulham's Europa League third qualifying round, first-leg, tie against FK Vetra tomorrow night, Hangeland insisted: "I've always said I'm happy at the club. I'm in no rush."
The 28-year-old Norwegian international already has a two-year contract with Fulham.
However, in recognition of his crucial contribution to the side's escape from relegation in 2007/08 and to a club-record seventh-place finish in the League last season, talks on a lucrative new deal are underway.
"We will see how it happens," said Hangeland, whose Champions League experience with FC Copenhagen will be vital as Fulham play in Europe for the first time since losing a UEFA Cup third-round tie to Hertha Berlin in December 2002.
Reader views (18)
Been a die hard fan, I watched Arsenal play Hannover 96 last night. Song done well as the holding (MF) But he just has not got the eye to do the killer pass, gives 100% but is not the finished product. Arsenal need a class forward. In the second have the 2 centre backs were not in control and looked a risk. Aw please sort it out and get the following:
1 x forward. 1 x holding (MF). 2 x Centre Backs.
you can bin Gallis, silvetre, Eboure, Benitner.
- Durch, Germany, 30/07/2009 14:02
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Steven Anderson, dublin ireland - Wegner slowest mover!
Dont you realise how much goes in to buying a player, you actually think Arsene sits on his backside and waits, well how naive are you?
Arsenal arent the only team bidding for players!
- Sue, London, UK, 30/07/2009 09:38
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Tottenham reject
- St, London, 30/07/2009 08:21
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having watched huntelaar week in week out at Ajax when he is there, I can safely say he is exactly what Arsenal need. A fast and powerful player up front who will actually put the ball into the net rather than try to walk it in. Don't get me wrong, I love how arsenal play but perhaps trying to shoot before the 100th pass wouldn't go a miss..? And also Huntelaar would work fantastically with RVP so yes, a good move.... But do it fast!
- Nick, london england, 29/07/2009 22:25
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I feel Cattermole/Clattermole would be an excellent signing. The spuds must be having sleepless nights - however - their sigining policy is truly bizarre.
- Brian, kildare ireland, 29/07/2009 16:19
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As a die hard Arsenal fan, i am hopeful but still concerned that we are focusing on cashing in on key palyers without first firming up replacments.
Arsenal needs a replacement for Toure, we need a defensive mildfielder and a point man up front. We must be honest, VP, Eduardo, Betner and co are quality players but are in suitable as point men upfront for a 4,2,3,1 or 4, 3, 3 or 4,1,4,1 formations which is the current trend in require.
If we do not get a good central defender, defensive mildfielder and top stricker and decide to enjoy the money from Man City and co, I will be surprised if the qualify for UEFA cup.
- Kanayo, Lagos, Nigeria, 29/07/2009 15:37
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arsenal should sign klass huntelaar but im sorry but wenger is the slowest mover in the transfer market ever always trying 2 save a couple of quid so if u snooze u lose arsene get a move on will u ... unhappy gunner
- Steven Anderson, dublin ireland, 29/07/2009 14:26
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This will be excellent business if we get Huntelaar and Hangeland. We do not need to replace Eboue as Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Nasri, Arshavin are all capable midfielders. A big midfielder would be necessary for those Stoke, Wigan, Birmingham, Chelsea days when brute force and route one may come in handy.
- Kamsoman, London, UK, 29/07/2009 14:16
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@ rob gooner
which hoyte? we have 2 / HAD 2 anyway!
justin was sold to m'boro
gavin i know is doing well in the reserves / youth etc but i didnt realise he was even in contention yet for the seniors
patience is the key, everyone is just keen to see signings, but as we say, in wenger we trust, and im amazed always at peoples reaction when he pleads poverty
yes we have the money (im sure) but why we need to advertise it and pay inflated prices
as soon as AW says he wants a player, the price doubles, so if he says hey we have $100m to spend, then also we get to pay man shitty and chelski prices
better to pretend we are poor and haggle / barter for the players we want who will pay for pride and honour and not just money
when you compare arsenal salaries to others, its quite shocking the difference, probably all of chelsea and man city, even their second string squad, earns more than our top stars
money was never really an issue for our great players - even henry, vieira etc never left for the money - and none of them really ever went on to better things. vieira? hleb? anelka? bentley? jeffers? so many who leave and disappear. and henry's recent comments about vieira proved a point he was a gentleman and felt honoured to play for us and always will do - he admits it
be nice to have him (TH) back for his last season as a pro for a few cup apperances - maybe a coach one day too?
- Stephen Park, Dubai, 29/07/2009 14:07
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The Spuds hve their four strikers now: Keane, Defoe, Crouch and Pavlenchenko... We should have a clear run now. I can see our transfers going to the wire. Wenger will have his targets but he'll want to drive down these inflated prices. With Madrid desparate to sell Huntelaar, if we're the only interested club we are in a strong position. I think there could be something in this hangeland thing- be a great signing as Senderos wants out too. We NEED that DCM though!
- Pete, Oxford, 29/07/2009 13:28
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An excelent pair: Huntelaar van Persie, Not a good idea to sell Kolo and buy Hangeland, still need a defensive midfielder...someone with Essien's qualities.
- Boratasn, oslo norway, 29/07/2009 13:00
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Gettingthereslowly, Harry has four strikers in Defoe, Crouch, Keane and Pavlyuchenko. So we are not in the market for a striker only if we sell Pav or Keane, right now it is very intresting for both clubs as Man City have gone out and sent a message to the rest of the prem, like it or not they have set a trend, just as Chelsea did and I think that it is only right that someone breaks the monopoly of the top four.
However I can see Harry sorting out the defensive problems that we currently have at the moment and we still have players to be shipped out anyway, e.g. Bentley??, Chimbo, Gunters already gone, Hutton???.. anyway lets just wait and see we still have a month to go before the transfer deadline closes...
- Antthony, London, 29/07/2009 12:46
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What are you on about Gettingthereslowly Spurs have 4 strikers after Bent goes in Keane, Crouch, Pav and Defoe..
Also, I don't even think Arsene is interested in him. Not one quote just papers doing maths. Adebayor gone so 1 must come in.... Which I don't think will happen, we have VP, Arshavin, Bendtner, Eduardo and Vela to date
- Livers, Bermondsey, 29/07/2009 12:30
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Right...
and Huntelaar will be perfect for us, in duo with RVP.
It will finally be a great transfer for us, and with him we won't fear more times Man City or others...I think we can finish forward ManU
- Karl Heinz Schneider, Bergamo, Italy, 29/07/2009 12:17
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whats going on at Arsenal is were getting good money for players who want to leave us and we will bring in fresh faces wenger will spend that money on better players people be patient
- Ros, ware, 29/07/2009 11:01
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With Adebayor gone, I would love to see Arsenal sign Huntelaar. Thus will give us a superb Dutch duo up front & excellent back-up in Bentner & Eduardo. Sounds like Toure & Eboue are likely to be sold as well. Taking into account the loss of these three African players to the African Nations Cup in January & the poor physical state they usual return in, this may be for the best. I have a feeling that Wenger has already replaced Toure with Vermaelen, as we have Gallas, Djourou & Sylveste competing for the centre-half spots, with Song as additional back up & Senderos likely to be sold. Eboue's position on the right-hand side of midfield could be taken by Wilshere. Cover at right-back is extremely limited, as Hoyte is not sufficient cover.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 29/07/2009 10:56
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WHAT IS THE HELL GOING ON AT ARSENAL PLEASE TELL ME
- G.Wallis, CHRISTCHURCH DORSET, 29/07/2009 09:51
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bent looks on his way out of spurs,so huntelaar looks like his replacement or jones? as harry will need four strikers as friazer has moved on as well and he seemed a quick fix for the berba deal last season.So not sure asene will have a clear run at huntelaar?
- Gettingthereslowly, braintree, 29/07/2009 09:50
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