Arsenal To Table £13.5m Cabaye Bid Today As Midfielder Goes On Strike To Force Move

As we enter the final stages of the summer transfer window, 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, more on Arsenal’s move for Yohan Cabaye.

Arsenal are set to table an improved £13.5m offer for want-away Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye on Tuesday, according to the Times.

The Gunner saw an opening £10m bid rejected by the Geordies last Monday but their interest unsettled the Frenchman to the extent that he was left out of the Newcastle team that lost 4-0 to Manchester City.

He was subsequently left out again by boss Alan Pardew for Saturday’s 0-0 draw with West Ham at St James’ Park and reports over the weekend suggested that the midfielder had gone on strike and was refusing to play for Newcastle again until they sanction his sale.

The Times claim that Arsenal are expected to submit an improved £13.5m bid today (Tuesday) but it remains to be seen whether that will be enough to persuade Newcastle into selling the unsettled 27-year-old.

Director of football Joe Kinnear claimed over on Saturday that they had informed the north Londoners of what their asking price was – believed to be £20m – so it seems Arsene Wenger may have to dig a little deeper if he wants to land the former Lille ace.

The newspaper suggests that should his latest bid for Cabaye fail, Wenger will then turn his attention to another target with Manchester City’s Gareth Barry, St Etienne’s Josuha Guilavogui and Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin all thought to be under consideration.

Of the three, Schneiderlin would be my pick as he’s been hugely impressive at the heart of the Saints midfield. Barry shouldn’t even be considered in my opinion.

We’re into the last week of the summer transfer window and it seems Arsenal are going to be one of the most active clubs, so we won’t have long until we find out if Wenger can save our summer.

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