Tonight:
9°c
Senderos set to join the Arsenal summer exodus
Ian Winrow04.08.09
Arsene Wenger's summer transfer account is set to become even more lop-sided after it was revealed today that Philippe Senderos is closing on a £6million move to Everton.
Negotiations are at an advanced stage and while the loss of a defender who was on loan at AC Milan last season will not be a big worry for Arsenal fans what will concern them is the growing deficit between arrivals and departures at Emirates Stadium.
Should Senderos complete his transfer then he will join Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure in leaving the Gunners - bringing in a combined total of £47m - while a number of fringe players have also left.
By contrast, centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, brought into the club from Ajax for £10.5m, remains the only new face.
While a trading profit of £36.5m is good business on the balance sheet, it won't look so good if Arsenal fail to keep their place in the Big Four.
After a similar approach last summer Arsenal battled with Aston Villa for much of the campaign before holding on to the final Champions League spot.
This time, there is the added threat of billionaire-backed Manchester City, who have Adebayor and Toure firing for them this time.
Wenger responded to the criticism of his squad's weaknesses at the end of last season by admitting he needed to inject quality into key areas.
A lack of steel in central defence and in front of the back-four was exposed at crucial times while the number of chances that went begging in front of goal suggested a striker should figure high on any wish-list.
A move for former favourite Patrick Vieira is stalling as the Inter Milan midfielder continues to haggle with the Italians over £1.7million a pay-off.
Vieira has a year left on his contract and thinks he should get half of his salary as a parting gesture.
Inter disagree but talks are ongoing and are expected to be concluded over the next few days.
In the meantime, Vieira flew out with the squad to the Far East as Inter prepare to face Lazio in the Italian Super Cup, which is being held in Beijing on Saturday.
Although Wenger remains hopeful of landing Vieira Lyon and Marseille are also interested in the France international.
Wenger has, though, ruled himself out of a move for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after the French club made it clear they intend to play hardball over the future the player and hold out for £15m.
"In five months, if he doesn't prolong his contract, Chamakh will be free to talk to any club and Bordeaux won't get anything," admitted the manager.
"In the current context, to me, it is over. Let's say that at the moment it is terminated."
A lot can happen between now and the end of the August transfer deadline but Wenger has a history of acting cautiously at this time of year.
And with Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky now back to full fitness after long-term injuries, the manager's instincts appear to once again to have come to the fore.
"They both look to be completely back and that makes the squad to be quite big," he said recently.
Few would argue with the sale of Adebayor and Toure - especially when they brought in such inflated fees.
But their departures accentuated holes that already existed in Wenger's squad.
Today, Wenger was taking training in front of fans at Emirates Stadium as part of the club's Members' Day.
All eyes will certainly be on the manager this season as his buying and selling policy faces its toughest test.
Reader views (15)
arene wenger should stop selling the players, beacuse of profit making. arsenal management have done a great mistake by selling players now,players like kolo toure,emmaunel adebayor,philippe senderos, beacuse since 2005 arsenal have not won any cup.arene wenger should do something about it, arsenal need a cup this season
- Arisky Thankgod, bayelsa state, nigeria
I'm confused. We are about to sell an International class central defender in his early twenties and keep a Manyoo reject in his thirties!!!
Maybe Senderos hasn't progressed as quickly as Arsene would like but up until that CL game against Liverpool at Anfield he had been brilliant especially the game against AC Milan at the San Siro.So much so that Milan took him on loan for the season and though appearances were limited he put in solid performances. It seems to me that teh boss hasn't forgiven him for our exit in the CL and he's become a scapegoat,harsh,very harsh indeed as there were ten other players on the pitch too.Silvestre is passed it and has proven to be a liability especially with his lack of pace. Granted he has an impressive CV but that isn't hard to compile if you were part of a successful team.I just don't see the logic!!
- Uday Desai, Coventry UK
its great that we are making such inroads into paying for the fantastic stadium we are priveleged to attend without significant weakening of the team.Another season like last would be brilliant-and all without outsiders money-dirty or otherwise
I agree with the guy that sees Patrick as a potential at centre half-cant wait for this season to see all that young talent buzzing again!
- Arsenalbob, studham,england
Nobody knows better than Mr Wenger. He knows what he is doing.
- Alex Mercieca, Gozo Malta
good biz nd not making you weaker,it was not his bit of biz,senderos is a poor defender who amazingly been moved on for 6million,when he is not worth even a quarter of that fee..there are far better defenders around..so selling kolo,adebyebye and possibly cesc (rumour has it) milan are wanting him too replace pirlo doesnt make you weaker...wake up and smell the real coffee.he wont spend at all as it is paying for your new wonderful stadium..which is a DEBT.yeah tha really is superb biz from the amazing wenger
- Phil, herts
HARDLY joining 'the summer exodus' is he, to EVERY Arsenal fan it was obvious hed be on his way provided we got the money, AC didnt want him did they?
I think we should keep Eboue and Gallas so we have more to add to our defence, As for Ade and Toure its a shame Toure made the wrong move, Ade definitely made the right move FOR US..
Let him Sulk on the pitch and frustrate the city fans while he misses every chance he gets.. not to mention what hell be like off the pitch..
Apart from Toure and maybe Tevez, Hughes couldnt have got together a better bunch of egotistical 2nd raters who only care about money..
Exodus my arse
- Stunnerofagunner, UK
AW has many principles, and one of them is that he wants every player gets the chance to play football and not sitting on the bench, all the time. I do respect the idea. This is the "Arsenal way"!
- Boratasn, oslo norway
Slowly slowly catchee monkey, as the saying goes. Mr. Wenger will get his target when and from whom he wants. And the olress will be last to know
- Malclm Bainborough, Lichfield Staffs
Vieira could play central defender, not too much running around,he has the eye for the game, and thinking not to many would get past him, one way or other.
AW does need a forward of real class, and another defender.
Song has done a good job as holding midfield, even in Hannover he played well in that position, I was there to witness it all.
AW did you not fancy a arm chair like that one for your home games????????
- Durch, Germany
Leave it to the manager. He did not gain such respect without being an astute business man. He will buy when he feels it is necessary, that is when the right player at the right price comes around. Just be patient because he realises that his future reputation is on the line. He has had to endure dreadful injury lists in recent years with a young team and now he has these excellent players fit, see what they can do.
Then judge him.
- Gooner In Spain, Pego, Spain
With less than two weeks to the start of the season I'm still waiting for Mr Wenger's annual "we can win the EPL, CL, Carling Cup, FA Cup, Strictly Come Dancing, Eurovision Song Contest, 6 Nations and X-Factor brainwashing comments" except this time round even the most committed of supporters will not be seduced....
- Mark Gooner, Essex
Another tidy bit of business from Arsene Wenger. He has managed to sell 3 player & bring in approx £47 million, without making us any weaker! He will probably make a couple of clever signings before the window closes.
- Rob Gooner, North London
i wish arsene would get his act 2gether and bring in some good experienced players , im sorry but a 33 year old vieira isnt what im talking about . every day that goes by is a day less for new players 2 get up 2 grips with the squad .
- Steven Anderson, dublin ireland
Dear Spider of Essex, I am a Tottenham supporter but notwithstanding this, being as objective as I can, would say this: every manager has a weakness [often it is with regard to a certain player always being chosen or bought] and it seems that much of the time Arsene Wenger's is that he doesn't like to spend vast amounts of money - very prudent - unless he is absolutely sure. With the money you have, or will have, received, most players are on your radar. If this is not so, then the only realistic inference to draw is that the cost of your comparatively new stadium is becoming prohibitive.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
So thats £25 million plus £16million plus £6 million for Senderos. Add that to the £30 million the board told us Wenger could spend before this season started and that means he has approx £67 million left to spend. Why isnt he doing it and getting class players instead of this rubbish about resigning Vieira and paying £10 million for Chamakh. We want quality players not second rate performers. Thats why I pay so much at the Emirates isnt it?.
- Spider, essex uk
