Transfer News: Wenger Confirms Interest In Playmaker – Real Preparing £65m Bale Bid

With the summer transfer window set to re-open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsene Wenger confirms his interest in Lyon playmaker Clement Grenier and Real Madrid are ready to bid £65m for Gareth Bale.

Wenger eyes Grenier

First up and the Mirror are carrying quotes from Arsene Wenger that suggest the Arsenal boss is keeping a close eye on Lyon playmaker Clement Grenier.

The 22-year-old shot to prominence last season after a series of eye-catching displays in France and it seems the Gunners boss has been alerted to his impressive form. Wenger admitted he’s a big fan of Grenier’s and feels his style of play is similar to that of former Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri.

“We are following him, I like the intelligence of his play.”

“He has interesting qualities, if anyone, he reminds me of Nasri,” Wenger is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

Grenier scored 7 goals and provided 5 assists in his 28 league appearances last season to help Lyon secure third place in the Ligue 1 table and qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League. While he’s represented France at every youth level he’s yet to earn his first cap for the senior team, but he’s tipped to make the breakthrough next season.

He’s certainly a huge talent and looks to be very much a ‘Wenger-type’ of signing, but do Arsenal really need another playmaker? With the likes of Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain already on the books, they seem well-stocked in that department so I’d suggest they should be concentrating on strengthening other areas such as defensive midfield or up front. But who am I to argue with Arsene Wenger?!

Real target £65m Bale

Tottenham’s resolve is set to be severely tested with the Daily Mail claiming Real Madrid are ready to bid £65m for Gareth Bale.

Bale’s enjoyed a stunning season last campaign that saw him land a whole host of individual honours including the PFA Player of the Year, but his 21 league goals weren’t enough to see Spurs break into the top four and Real look set to take advantage of Tottenham missing out on Champions League football by making their move for the Welshman.

The Mail claim the Spanish giants will make a £65m bid in the coming weeks after missing out on the signing of Neymar to Barcelona, with new boss Carlo Ancelotti to be given significant funds to re-shape his squad with this summer.

The newspaper suggest Spurs are desperately trying to tie Bale down to a new contract worth £170,000-a-week and boss Andre Villas-Boas is adamant the club will keep hold of the 23-year-old despite missing out on the Champions League, but an offer of £65m may prove to be too good for chairman Daniel Levy to turn down.

Read more Arsenal transfer news | Spurs transfer news

So there’s your daily dose of transfer news. What do you make of these latest rumours? Would Arsenal fans welcome Grenier? Would Spurs take £65m for Bale? Get involved in the comments section below.