Laurent Koscielny has all but been signed already having agreed personal terms with Arsenal and today after the loan move of Francis Coquelin to Lorrient the other way it appears Arsenal fee believed to be in the region of £9 million has been accepted only leaving the player to pass his medical.

Arsene Wenger already said in The Sun newspaper that “talks had and were on going” and today we heard that the Lorrient manager, Chrstian Gourcuff,  said it is hugely likely that Koscielny will join Arsenal this summer (well in the next few weeks). This appears to be the signing Wenger talked about when doing coverage for French TV but who is the next defender coming to Arsenal as clearly we need to sign another with the departures of Mikael Silvestre, Gallas and a probable Campbell.

The Mirror sport are claiming Arsenal are by the end of next week ready to move for Laurent Koscielny – the 24 year old 6ft1 CB playing his game currently at Lorient in French Ligue 1. At 1.86 metres and reasonably experienced at 24 we could fetch him apparently at around £8 million and to me this really does sound like a Wenger signing. Hmmm I wouldn’t be surprised for this to be a Thomas Vermaelen all again….

The mirror says:

Arsenal could move for Lorient centre-back Laurent Koscielny within the week.

French sources claim that the Gunners are gearing up to make their move on the 24-year-old, who has become an integral part of Lorient’s back four this season.

The Ligue 1 outfit are thought to be reluctant to part with their star defender, who has made 35 league appearances this season, but a bid in the region of £8million would be too much to resist.

Arsene Wenger has previously stated that he wants the majority of his transfer dealing concluded before the World Cup, and with doubt still hanging over the futures of Sol Campbell and William Gallas, an official move for Koscielny may just be days away.

The window opens 1st of June so lets see.

So quite an interesting day in terms of CB gossip:

Mertesacker has described Arsenal as an “attractive” option and in my opinion although injury prone would be just the defender we need. With | Djourou as back up and playing some champions league games this could be the tonic for success - not overplaying him and having a colossal 6 ft 6 inch centre back to partner Vermaelen with plenty of experience. In my opinion should Wenger offer he would jump to join.

Secondly The Sun says Gary Cahill would cost us £14 should we want him – quite reasonable for a good young English CB and he would do just as Mertesacker would.

To finalise Simon Kjaers club have opened speculation by saying by announcing: “Of course the World Cup can emphasise a player, but Kjaer will only leave Palermo if a team pays his buy-out clause.” The buy out clause is £10 million – not a lot for a top class 21 year old CB.

I think all of these rumours are plausible so lets wait till the 1st of June and find out….I’m confident it will be one of these three players though.

So its starting to feel like summer in England..eventually, and may it continue until after my exams as well so Im not clogged up in a baking hall for the entire period of summer sun. But in metaphorical transfer terms will this summer be a Silva summer or more a  Chamakh down to earth? This post will be looking at all transfer gossip over the past few weeks and seeing the fans ratings and as ‘Clockenders’ say the Arsene Rating.

Goal Keepers:

On the list:

1- Hugo Lloris Holds the number one spot for France and plays domestic football for lyon. A great singing should we get him but he seems content at Lyon, however perhaps because no offers have come in yet. A snatch at £12.5 million for such a good consistent performer at top class level?

Fan rating: 10/10     Arsene Rating: 7/10

2- Joe Hart: Man City number 2 behind Given, however as he is injured for the start of next season is unlikely to be sold by Man City; Joe Hart would probably be open to the move although why would the east-lands sell with so much money. A good performer who has pl experience; Vital.

Fan Rating: 8/10      Arsene Rating: 8/10

3- Gigi Buffon: Undoubtedly most experienced goaly on the list however he would demand a large fee - more than Lloris and would be on a huge wage. He is over the 30 mark, which although for a goal keeper isn’t that bad means he is likely to more injuries. Good but I’d rather have Lloris or Hart.

Fan Rating: 6/10     Arsene Rating: 4/10

Defence

1- Phillipe Mexes: Tough CB with plenty of football behind in at Roma. Very good player and would be welcomed to Arsenal, a decent partner to Vermaelen but perhaps Arsene and the fans want a taller player? Good proposition at £11 million however.

Fans Ratings:    7/10    Arsene Rating:    7/10

2- Phil Jagielka: Decent player at Everton however in my opinion not the player we need. We need a taller stronger player not another person in the Vermaelen mould otherwise it wouldn’t work. We need a player to contribute to his qualities not copy them.

Fans Ratings:   5/10   Arsene Rating:   4/10

3- Pape Diakhete: 25 year old Senegal CB who would go quite cheap at under £10 million – however in my opinion this is not improving the side, he’s not the player we want and I believe Djourou would do a better job. However sounds like a Wenger signing…
Fans Rating:   4/10    Arsene Rating:   8/10

Midfield - determining that Cesc will leave 1- Felipe Melo: No doubt would fit perfectly into our side as he can play defensive or attacking in the centre of midfield but he doesn’t seem hugely bothered about moving to The Arsenal. However perhaps because he’s playing his cards close to his chest in case he doesn’t get a move away from the black and white of Juve. A great signing should we get him here – at £15 million but no more.

Fans Rating:    8/10    Arsene Rating:    6/10

2- Yoann Gourcuff: A great young midfielder from Bordeaux although not cheap – in my opinion the ideal replacement for Cesc with Chamakh coming in the two would link up perfectly. Also tall, strong and good in the air qualities we lacked from Cesc, but I’m not blaming that on him as he didn’t shy from challenges….cough…cough..Denilson. I doubt we could ge him for under £20 million so I doubt Arsene will be interested however.

Fans Rating:  10/10    Arsene Rating:  7/10

4- David Silva: Great player and would love to see him at the Emirates but I don’t expect him to come as he would only want to move within Spain; I’ll live in hope though

Fans Rating:   9/10    Arsene Rating:  3/10

5- Eden Hazard:  The next player to be the best in the world in a few years – if we get fund from Cesc’s Fransfer we should spend the £20 million needed on him as at 19 he is showing why he will become huge in football. Belgium roots so Vermaelen could help him and the player specifically said if he went anywhere he would love Arsenal or Real Madrid. Thsi player in my mind is on a par with Gourcuff – play Nasri in the middle and Hazard on the wing- sorted.

Fans Rating: 10/10    Arsene Rating:  6/10

Forwards

We all know Chamakh is coming and to be honest Wenger won’t sign anyone else there unless someone leaves. If an offer comes in for Eduardo he is likely to take it and then there are possibilities but until then why discuss?