Transfer Rumours - Bakari Sagna

Hmmmm. The Arsenal in for a right-back?

With the recent departures of forwards Thierry Henry, Jeremie Aliaidiere, Auturo Lupoli, and Julio Baptisa as well as the possible future departure of the rapidly aging Freddie Ljungberg and the definte future departure of warm weather wizard (alliteration... that's a ta for me, Dave) Jose Antonio Reyes... one might think that our interest in this player is slightly misguided. Moreso when noted that both Manu Eboue and Justin Hoyte have only recently had their contracts improved/extended with the club. Also, Kerrea Gilbert is in the wings and all of William Gallas, Kolo Toure and Johan Djourou are more than capable to play there in a fix.

But Sagna has recently just been brought up into the France side in recent qualifiers against Ukraine and Georgia. I also think that his potential arrival could see Eboue pushed forward to cover Alex Hleb and Walcott as necessary... particularly with Freddie in decline. Eboue had some storming performanes going forward last season and his crossing has become excellent. With Bendtner in the side and Adebayor more prominant up front, Eboue's crossing is a legitimate option for the mythical "plan B" so often suggested as missing from the Arsenal's... ahem... arsenal.

I also believe that good egg Justin Hoyte could provide cover for Gael Clichy at leftback while Armand Traore continues his development in the reserves. This may give us more balance at the back as well as adding a modicum of experience to the backline.

Clearly Arsene Wenger likes this player quite a bit and feels he could complement the group. Auxerre has publicly claimed that the player is in discussions with the Arsenal and £6m has been broadly agreed as a fee. That said, Auxerre wish to keep Sagna for another year knowing further progression with the French side will only increase his value. But with Arsenal circling and Wenger now fully in control of transfer dealings I suspect we may shortly be welcoming another French International to the side.

TRANSFER POSSIBILITY RATING - 7.5/10

Auxerre clearly want to keep the player and have said the odds of him leaving this season are less than 50/50. Obviously our priority is to bring in at least two forwards this summer but the speculation around Sagna is such that is seems that Wenger is convinced that Sagna would add something to the side. And when shopping for young players at this price Wenger is devestatingly efficient... as Diaby, Denilson and Eboue himself can suggest.

XxX UPDATE XxX 11 July 2007

Bakiri Sagna has completed his medical in London and will be confirmed as an Arsenal player later today in a £7.5m deal with Auxerre.