Arsenal Transfer News: Gervinho In Advanced Talks Over Move | Defender Deal Off

With the summer transfer window set to open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest Arsenal transfer rumours. Today, Gervinho is understood to be in advanced talks over a move away while a deal for Ashley Williams appears to be off.

Gervinho off

First up and according to French source Le10 Sport Gervinho is in advanced talks with Marseille over a move back to France this summer.

The Ivorian has struggled to settle in north London following is move from Lille in 2011 and he only made 12 league starts last season, dropping behind the likes of Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott in the pecking order.

It seems Arsene Wenger is ready to cut his loses and Le10 Sport claim Gerivinho is now on the verge of securing a move to Marseille, either on a one-year loan deal with the option to buy or a permanent transfer. The 26-year-old is due to meet with L’OM president Vincent Labrune next week and he recently admitted he’d be keen on a move to the Stade Vélodrome if he left the Emirates:

“If I want a new start, I will have offers”,

“Marseille is a great French club. I cannot say yes or no, but it is flattering.” Gervinho is quoted as saying by ESPN

Gervinho’s been a hugely frustrating player to watch. He looks a world beater at times only to ruin it all with a poor finish or final ball. But I think a move away this summer is best for everyone and I wish him well at his next club.

Williams deal off

Next up and the Daily Mail are reporting that Arsenal’s move for Ashley Williams appears dead in the water after the Gunners refused to meet Swansea’s £10m valuation of the defender.

The newspaper suggests we’ve been holding official talks with the Welsh outfit in recent weeks but boss Arsene Wenger is not prepared to pay the required £10m fee for a player approaching his 29th birthday. The collapse of the Williams deal could be good news for Thomas Vermaelen though, as he could now be given another chance to revive his career at the Emirates.

Vermaelen looked set for a move this summer after losing his place to Laurent Koscielny last season and while the Mail claim that privately the Belgian has admitted he’ll be forced to leave if Arsenal sign another central defender, the 27-year-old is determined to win his starting spot back and with Williams now unlikely to be coming to the Emirates, Vermaelen looks set to stay and fight for his place.

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What do Arsenal fans make of this transfer news? Will you be disappointed to see Gervinho leave? Should we pay £10m for Williams? Get involved in the comments section below.