Transfer News: Arsenal Dealt Blow In Spaniard Chase | Moyes Scuppered £18m Deal

Although the summer transfer window is officially closed that doesn’t stop clubs working hard behind the scenes to prepare for future signings, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest gossip. Here, Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Victor Valdes and Ezequiel Garay reveals why his £18m deal to Man Utd fell through.

Valdes Keen On Monaco

First up and the Mirror are reporting that Arsenal look likely to miss out on the signing of Victor Valdes with the Spanish goalkeeper confirming his desire to link up with former team-mate Eric Abidal at Monaco.

The 31-year-old is set to leave Barcelona when his contract expires at the end of the season bringing to an end an 11 year stay at the Nou Camp, and he’s been linked with several big clubs throughout Europe in recent months.

The Catalans have already agreed a deal with Borussia Monchengladbach to sign German youngster Marc-Andre ter Stegen to replace Valdes next summer and the Spanish international is able to discuss a free transfer move abroad in January.

The Mirror claim Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to bring in the experienced stopper as competition for young Pole Wojciech Szczesny. However, it seems the Frenchman may have his work cut out trying to persuade Valdes to make the move to north London with the player admitting he is keen on linking up with former team-mate Eric Abidal at big-spending Monaco.

“Ligue 1 attracts me a lot – Monaco or elsewhere in France,”

“This is one of my options. [My future] is in the hands of my representatives. But Monaco is a good option.

“I know that Abidal is very happy at Monaco and I am good friends with him. I consider him a brother. He is an example as a human being. To go back and play at his side again could be very special.” Valdes is quoted as saying by the Mirror

Garay Missed Out On United Move

Next up and the Daily Mail are reporting that Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay claims the arrival of David Moyes as Manchester United boss ended his chances of making an £18m move to Old Trafford.

The report carries quotes from Garay that suggests a move to United was close with former boss Sir Alex Ferguson believed to be a huge fan of the centre-back.

However, the 27-year-old claims the arrival of Moyes from Everton saw the deal collapse and he ended up staying at Benfica.

‘I believed I was going to join Manchester United in the summer,’ he said. ‘The deal was nearly closed but finally Benfica did not accept the offer.

‘I believe the exit of Ferguson has influenced the deal. Moyes did not believe in me as much but that’s not a problem.

‘I am happy at Benfica and have a lot of dreams and ambitions for this season. Now I only think about the present which is Benfica but it’s never possible to discard anything in the future.’

Garay moved to Portugal from Real Madrid in 2011 and has become one of the most highly-rated defenders in Europe, helping the club push Porto all the way in the league last season as well as reach the final of the Europa League.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic coming to the closing stages of their illustrious careers you’d expect United to bring in a new centre-back next summer but it doesn’t sound as though Moyes is sold on the idea of that man being Garay.

Read more Arsenal transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

So there’s another dose of transfer news. What do Arsenal fans make of Valdes’s comments? What about United fans, are you disappointed the club didn’t sign Garay? Leave your comments below.