Careless Whispers: Arsenal linked with Modeste

Mark Holmes
Anthony Modeste: Arsenal linked with Cologne striker

Anthony Modeste: Arsenal linked with Cologne striker

Arsenal have been tenuously linked with Cologne striker Anthony Modeste and again mentioned as possible Sergi Samper suitors.

In a new regular feature, we take a look at the day’s rumours involving Arsenal, separating the wheat from the chaff to save you the trouble…

Arsenal eyeing move for former Blackburn striker (various)

This rumour has made it on to several websites today, including the Metro’s and Daily Star’s.

If you hadn’t dismissed it from the headline alone, you would have learned that the striker in question is Anthony Modeste, who spent half a season on loan at Blackburn in 2012 and is currently playing his trade in the Bundesliga for Cologne.

The rumour, about a Frenchman playing in the German league, originates from Spanish publication Espiritu Deportivo. Enough said.

The headline on the Metro’s website, incidentally, is ‘Arsenal ready to sign one of the Bundesliga’s best players in January. Brilliant.

Arsenal and Chelsea target rejected offers from ‘big clubs’ to stay at PSG, claims agent (talkSPORT)Blaise Matuidi

Mentions of Arsenal or Chelsea by Blaise Matuidi’s agent? None, but he does say that “Europe’s top ten wanted” the midfielder.

The only surprise is that the headline didn’t include the names of the two Manchester clubs…

Manchester United join Arsenal in bargain transfer raid for Barcelona midfield star (Daily Star)

‘Manchester United have joined Arsenal in the hunt for Barcelona whizz Sergi Samper’, claims the Daily Star.

‘A United scout was present at last night’s goalless draw against third-tier Villanovense in the Copa del Rey, with the deep-lying midfielder said to be the focus of attention,’ the report continues.

‘Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is said to be a big fan.’

The Star don’t, of course, attribute who exactly has ‘said’ that, but Samper was first linked to Arsenal in the summer by Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo. The story came to nothing then, but in the crazy world of the transfer rumour mill it only takes one link for a club to be forever deemed interested in a player.

Should United – or any other club – eventually sign Samper, rest assured it will be described as a ‘blow’ to the Gunners.

Discuss these transfer rumours on the new-look Arsenal Your Say forum.