Wenger courts another World Cup striker

Last updated : 06 July 2006 By Editor

The Sun have reported that Arsenal have been in talks with Barcelona, and are close to signing Argentina striker Javier Saviola, nicknamed The Rabbit, for £2 million although they will have to foot the bill for the remaining year of his contract in Spain.

He would join Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor at Arsenal, strikers who all played for their country in Germany this summer.

‘The decision of Henry to sign a new four-year contract may postpone Theo Walcott's arrival as a fully fledged first-choice striker at the Emirates Stadium,' wrote Richard Williams in The Guardian.

Barcelona loaned Saviola to Monaco in 2004 and then UEFA Cup winners Seville last year.

Meanwhile, Marcus Christenson in The Guardian writes, ‘Real Madrid are expected to make an offer for Cesc Fabregas' and ‘An announcement is expected this week as to whether Carlos Salcido, a defender who has lots of pace, vision and is good in possession is moving to a club in Spain or to Arsenal,' wrote Jason Burt in The Independent.

Salcido has generated such interest since the World Cup that the president of his Mexican club has flown to Europe to negotiate his £2.5 million sale. A switch to Arsenal would be a clear signal that Sol Campbell will head away from London before the start of the season.