Spanish Media: Arsenal Make Move For Midfield Target

Reports in the Spanish media claim that Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger has contacted Jose Mourinho to discover whether or not his Real Madrid midfielder, Esteban Granero will be available for transfer in the January window.

The 24 year-old Spanish midfielder has made 70 appearances for the Madrid since signing from Getafe in 2009, but he has been limited to just two appearances for Madrid this season thanks to their depth in midfield. Since the signings of Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil, Granero has been forced to watch from the bench, and was even overlooked in central midfield in favour of Madrid’s £25.7 million summer signing and natural winger, Fabio Coentrao on occasion.

Arsene Wenger is supposedly interested in adding to his midfield, and sees the potential £6 million signing of Granero only a positive move in reinforcing a position hampered with injuries both currently and, knowing Arsenal’s luck, in the near future.

Wenger may find his job of persuading the Spaniard to join Arsenal rather difficult, with the player recently shrugging off rumours and announcing his comitmment to Madrid, saying at the start of October: “I’m at Real Madrid, which is my home and where I want to be.”

Jack Wilshere is expected to be back playing for Arsenal around January or February, as he is currently recovering from surgery on a stress fracture in his right ankle. Meanwhile, Abou Diaby, who has not played since May 22nd will be back far sooner, with Wenger confirming that the French midfielder should return in the next three weeks.

Wenger is not known for his activity in the January transfer window, and in fact, over the past 5 seasons, has only signed three players in the winter window, leaving most of his business dealings to the summer. Whether or not Wenger will change this conservative policy remains to be seen, but in football terms, £6 million for a central midfielder isn’t exactly breaking the bank.