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Written by Henry Drake

Published: Thursday, 18 July 2013 12:01

Arsene Wenger has insisted that Arsenal would be able to keep up with the likes of Chelsea in the transfer window after confirming he would be willing to pay Wayne Rooney’s hefty pay role.

Chelsea recently had a £20million straight cash bid for Rooney turned down by United, contrary to popular belief that either David Luiz or Juan Mata were offered in exchange – a rumour that Joe Mourinho quashed himself.

Big Spender

Over the years, Wenger’s frugality has cost him names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Yaya Toure and Xabi Alonso. But this year the flag of intent has been firmly stuck into the grass at the Emirates, with Arsenal being linked to a number of big name stars.

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Written by Henry Drake

Published: Thursday, 18 July 2013 11:45

Arsene Wenger has rubbished any talk of Cesc Fabregas’ proposed move to Manchester United by revealing that the Spanish midfielder wants to spend another year with Barcelona.

United had lodged a hopeful £26million bid for Fabregas who is said to be unsettled at the role he plays in the Catalan side.

Bench warmer?

Fabregas has fallen below a list of players in the pecking order, with boss Tito Vilanova insisting on using him as a “false 9” striker rather than his preferred role – as he played at Arsenal  - as an attacking midfielder.

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Written by Henry Drake

Published: Wednesday, 17 July 2013 12:32

Rumours surrounding an apparent pre-contract deal with Atletico Madrid and Santi Cazorla are straight out of the “made-up rumour” pile on the desks of Spanish news-bringers Marca.

Arsenal’s player of the season was rumoured by Radio stations El Partido, Onda Cero and Radio Marca to have agreed personal terms with Atletico who recently unveiled the signing of David Villa from Barcelona.

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Written by Henry Drake

Published: Wednesday, 17 July 2013 10:17

Guardian’s reliable Spanish source has claimed that Barcelona’s sale of Cesc Fabregas to Manchester United may go ahead despite the players preferences in order to make up for the Catalan’s hefty net spend of recent years.

United have voiced their intent to smash their current transfer record – the £30.8million they paid for Spurs’ Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.

Funds

Barcelona’s success in the Champions League has usually been enough to fund the Spanish club’s spending sprees. In 2010 they had a net transfer spend of -€28million brining in players like David Villa and Javier Mascherano. In 2011 it was -€13.25million after splashing €60million on Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, then selling Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And in 2013, Barcelona spent €33million on Jordi Alba and Alex Song with no transfer income whatsoever.