According to several reports in todays media, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will push through moves for top summer targets Phil Jagielka and Juan Mata this weekend.
Wenger has been heavily linked with centre back Jagielka this summer and is set to up his earlier bid of £10m to around the £15m mark. However, the Guardian reports that Everton may hold out for a bid of over £18m for their star defender, but Wenger has made a centre back is top priority and Jagielka is his No.1 target.
The long-running saga of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona also looks like coming to an end with Wenger setting a deadline of Monday for Barca to make their move. If the Spaniards fail to submit a suitable offer, the Arsenal captain will be expected to remain in London this season as Arsene Wenger is worried the drawn out transfer is disrupting his pre-season plans.
It is widely expected however, that Fabregas will eventually make the move back home leaving Wenger with a void to fill and the player identified is Valencia’s Juan Mata. Although Mata plays mainly on the left side, he could take up an advanced central role or Wenger may decide to continue with Nasri in the middle as he has done during pre-season so far.
Mata will set Arsenal back somewhere in the region of £13.5m-£17.5m, depending on what source you believe, and will represent something of a coup for the Gunners. Rivals Tottenham have attempted to hijack the move but Mata is keen on a move to the Emirates and Wenger wants the deal sealed by the end of the weekened.
The double signing of Jagielka and Mata would go along way to ease the frustration felt by many Arsenal fans this summer and it’s thought Arsene Wenger want’s both deals tied up as soon as possible.
