Arsenal Transfer News: Scouts Watch Inui, Barca Vito Valdes Emirates Move

Despite the transfer window being closed there is still plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsenal scouts watch Takashi Inui and Barcelona will refuse to sell Victor Valdes this summer.

Scouts watch Inui

First up and the Daily Mail claim that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has sent chief scout Steve Rowley to watch Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Takashi Inui in recent weeks.

The report suggests that despite Wenger prioritising a centre-back, defensive midfielder and striker this summer, he’s had his scouts run-the-rule over 24-year-old Inui after being impressed by his display’s on the left wing for Frankfurt this season, where he’s scored six goals and provide six assists in his 28 league appearances so far.

The Japanese international is a pacey attacker who can play out wide or as a play-maker. Personally, I’m not getting too excited about this one and I think we should be concentrating our efforts on more important targets.

Barca to make Valdes wait

Next and the Mirror are reporting today that Barcelona have told goalkeeper Victor Valdes to forget about joining Arsenal this summer as they’re prepared to make him see-out the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp.

The Spanish stopper has just one year left on his current deal and has informed the Catalans he won’t be signing an extension and the Mirror claim he could have been heading to the Emirates as a replacement for Wojciech Szczesny.

However, Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists the club would rather allow him to leave on a free transfer in 2014 than sell him at the end of this season:

“[President Sandro] Rosell has had contact with Valdes to make it clear that we have to leave the doors open [on him changing his mind].

“As we prioritise sporting aspects, we prefer to run out the contract until June 2014 rather than sell him this summer.

“We have no deadline in Valdes’ case, one option is to run to the end of his contract and in that case we will not sign a goalkeeper [this summer].” Bartomeu is quoted as saying in the Mirror.

Another goalkeeper looks a certainty this summer and I would have loved to see Valdes come in. He would have given Szczesny some real competition for the fist team jersey and he would have also been able to pass on his experience to the young Pole. But it looks like we may have to wait another year if we want to bring Valdes to north London, which may be too late as we need someone this summer.

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Who would you like to see the boss sign this summer? Leave your suggestions in the comments section below.