Even though the January transfer window ended largely as an anti-climax to most people, the murmurings surrounding the deals that did go ahead continues to rumble on, as well as speculation as to what could have happened in the final week of the window – and what we can expect in the summer.
One of the most bizarre transfers of the window – and of Arsene Wenger’s reign at Arsenal – has been the main spark of debate since the window slammed shut on Friday night.
And since then, yet more details have come out to support the evidence that Wenger could be going a bit senile, with the deadline day signing of injured Spartak Moscow benchwarmer Kim Kallstrom.
Rummaging for a Receipt
Kallstrom has joined the Gunners on loan for the remainder of the season; however a back injury was discovered while the Swedish international was undergoing his medical which is likely to keep him out of action for 6 weeks.
Kallstrom supposedly complained of an ailment as he reached London, but an MRI scan showed no significant injury.
However a CT scan showed a long-term injury which would see the 108-time capped midfielder sidelined for at least half the time he is at Arsenal for.
And with Mathieu Flamini suspended alongside the injured Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and The Walcott, the need for a solid central midfielder has never been greater as the Gunners reach the most congested period of the window.
Recent reports have claimed that Kallstrom’s injury was sustained while playing football on a beach in Abu Dhabi, as his Russian side Spartak played on their pre-season tour, and now Arsenal could be looking to send him BACK.
It has been suggested that Arsenal are studying his contract in order to find an option where he completes his rehabilitation at Spartak before returning for the final spell of the season fit and ready for the run-in.
Draxler DID receive bid
In other news, Schalke’s director of Sport has publically revealed that the Bundesliga club DID receive an offer for German starlet Julian Draxler - however it did not come from the heavily linked North London side.
Arsenal looked certain to land the attacking midfielder as Wenger supposedly activated his release clause to bring him to the Emirates and mould him into a centre-forward.
However Horst Heldt cryptically teased with the media once the window had shut:
"It had the dimension of a transfer that you don't do any day of the week," said Heldt. "It was certainly a decent offer, but it wasn't sufficient for us. We told Julian our opinion, and that was that."
“…[the offer] came from a club to the north of us".
Jan Aage Fjortoft – the former Norwegian striker who was very vocal over the speculation period – also claimed that it was Bayern Munich who put the brakes on the £37million deal by promising to take Draxler in the summer.
Crawling back
And finally, numerous sensational reports have entailed how Manchester United striker and former Gunners captain Robin van Persie could make a sensational return to the club where he claimed the Premier League golden boot two years running.
Van Persie was made club captain following the departure of Cesc Fabregas in 2011 however left for Old Trafford before the start of last season, winning the League in his first season.
However with David Moyes struggling to keep the Reds in contention for the top 4, and RvP supposedly angry over being forced to play while injured, a cut-price move back home could be on the cards.
Although Arsene Wenger’s policy not to buy ageing players still stands (ignoring the signing of 31-year-old Kallstrom), an exception could be made for 132-goal Robin.
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