Arsenal Transfer News: Attacker Confirms Gunners Bid | Keeper Move Announced

With the summer transfer window now 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, Clement Grenier claims Arsenal have had a bid rejected for him while Vito Mannone has joined Sunderland.

Grenier claims bid rejected

First up and the Express carry quoted from French midfielder Clement Grenier, who has revealed that Arsenal have tabled a bid for his services this summer but it was rejected by his current club Lyon.

The 22-year-old has emerged as one of French footballers brightest stars after an excellent season in Ligue 1 last campaign, and he’s been linked with a move to north London ever since boss Arsene Wenger confirmed his interest in the attacker last month.

‘We are following him. His intelligence of play pleases me. He has interesting qualities. He reminds me of (Samir) Nasri.’ Wenger said last month

According to the midfielder, Wenger followed up his interest with a bid but it was knocked back by Lyon who are still hopeful of getting the midfielder to sign a contract extension – with his current deal running out in 12 months time.

Grenier admitted that it’s flattering for Arsenal to show an interest in him but he insists he’s yet to decide on his future.

“Today I cannot say if I will extend my contract,”

“I know Lyon have rejected an offer from Arsenal. Of course it’s flattering that clubs are interested in me.”

“It’s hard for me to talk about my future now because I’m not yet certain of it. I prefer to wait to be 100% sure of what is going to happen before I do it.

“I do not know where my future lies. I’m not 100 per cent sure of what I want to do. I look forward to this meeting to be certain.” Grenier is quoted as saying in the Express.

The newspaper suggests Arsenal’s bid was £6m with a 25% sell-on clause included, but it remains to be seen whether the we’ll be able to persuade Lyon to cash-in this summer if he refuses to sign a new deal. It would make sense for them to sell rather than lose him for nothing next year but we’ll have to wait and see how it develops.

Mannone joins Sunderland

Next and Arsenal have confirmed that goalkeeper Vito Mannone has left the club to join Premier League outfit Sunderland for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old has struggled to establish himself at the Emirates since joining from Atalanta in 2005, only managing 23 first team appearances during his eight-year stay.

Interestingly, 13 of those appearances came last season as Wojceich Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski struggled for form and fitness, but the Italian failed to do enough to convince boss Arsene Wenger that he deserved a regular run in the side and his move to the Stadium of Light has been confirmed today.

While he’s shown glimpses of what he’s capable of at times, Mannone will mostly be remembered for his embarrassing mistake in the away game against Olympikos in December 2012, when his air kick allowed a tame long-range effort from David Fuster to find the back of the net and set the Greeks up for a 3-1 win. His confidence never returned after that gaff but hopefully he can prosper lower down the league at Sunderland.

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Would Arsenal fans like to see Grenier sign for the club this summer? Are you sad to see Mannone go? Get involved in the comments section below.