Arsenal Set To Make Formal Offer For ROI International

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Gooner Mac brings us news of Arsenal’s interest in Seamus Coleman.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has set his sights on Seamus Coleman as a replacement for Bacary Sagna and is ready to test Everton’s resolve with a formal offer for the right-back, according to reports today.

We need to bring in a top class defender to replace Sagna this summer with the Frenchman set to join Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of this month.

Several names have been linked in recent weeks but it seems Arsene Wenger has now identified Everton’s Seamus Coleman as the man he wants to fill the right-back void and the Daily Star are reporting that we will launch a formal bid for the 25-year-old over the coming weeks.

The newspaper report comes after Sky News journalist Enda Brady Tweeted that Arsene was ‘very keen’ on Coleman and to expect a bid for the player this summer.

Arsene Wenger very keen on Seamus Coleman, I'm told. Expect a bid.

— enda brady (@SkyEnda) June 14, 2014

This isn’t the first time we’ve been linked with Coleman in recent months and it seems the speculation has affected the bookmakers odds with Arsenal seen as the 5/2 favourites to land the Republic of Ireland international before the end of the summer.

I’d personally love to see Coleman join Arsenal this summer as he has developed into the best right-back in the Premier League and was rewarded for his adventurous displays by being named in the PFA Team of the Year last season.

However, as much as I’d like to see him in an Arsenal shirt next season, I fear it’s going to prove extremely difficult to prize him away from Goodison Park. Roberto Martinez has just signed a new five-year contract and he’s unlikely to allow one of his best players to leave without a fight.

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The Toffees could easily demand a fee in excess of £20m for him, and it’s unlikely Wenger will go that high for a right-back when the likes of Serge Aurier is available at less than half that price.

We’ll just have to see how things develop but unless Coleman is willing to force a move away, I’d be hugely surprised if we were able to agree a deal with Everton this summer.