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Flamini To San Siro; Hleb to Follow?
Arsenal midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Aleksandr Hleb could find themselves on opposite sides of an Italian derby next season, as the former has agreed terms with AC Milan while the latter is being courted by Internazionale.
Flamini’s contract expires at the end of June, and after the Frenchman continually stalled over signing a new deal, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger set an April-end deadline for the 24-year-old to pledge his future to the North London club.
However, as May fast approaches and paper remains unpenned, it appears certain that Flamini will leave for the Rossoneri this summer on a free transfer, where he will settle in as the natural successor to Gennaro Gattuso.
Juventus were frontrunners to sign the France international should he decide to leave Arsenal, but they were convincingly outbid by their Serie A rivals, who have offered the former Marseille player a whopping €4 million per year.
Flamini reportedly wants out of the Emirates because he feels undervalued, and Wenger has urged him not to leave in pursuit of a fatter wallet – a comment that will hardly improve the player’s view of how he is perceived by his manager.
Inter Offer
Meanwhile, Hleb has been offered an attractive four-year deal by Inter, who seek to strengthen their wide-midfield options.
The 26-year-old will hold talks with Arsenal this week to discuss his future at the club and air his concern over the fact the Gunners have not won a trophy in three consecutive seasons.
Wenger was reportedly furious with the Nerazzurri, who openly declared their interest in the Belarussian playmaker several weeks ago. And despite the fact he has two years remaining on his current deal, Arsenal stand to lose a significant amount financially should Hleb leave, due to Article 17 of FIFA regulations.
These could be just the first among a gradual exodus from the Emirates, as even the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor could leave in search of silverware.
Mike Maguire
Arsenal midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Aleksandr Hleb could find themselves on opposite sides of an Italian derby next season, as the former has agreed terms with AC Milan while the latter is being courted by Internazionale.
Flamini’s contract expires at the end of June, and after the Frenchman continually stalled over signing a new deal, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger set an April-end deadline for the 24-year-old to pledge his future to the North London club.
However, as May fast approaches and paper remains unpenned, it appears certain that Flamini will leave for the Rossoneri this summer on a free transfer, where he will settle in as the natural successor to Gennaro Gattuso.
Juventus were frontrunners to sign the France international should he decide to leave Arsenal, but they were convincingly outbid by their Serie A rivals, who have offered the former Marseille player a whopping €4 million per year.
Flamini reportedly wants out of the Emirates because he feels undervalued, and Wenger has urged him not to leave in pursuit of a fatter wallet – a comment that will hardly improve the player’s view of how he is perceived by his manager.
Inter Offer
Meanwhile, Hleb has been offered an attractive four-year deal by Inter, who seek to strengthen their wide-midfield options.
The 26-year-old will hold talks with Arsenal this week to discuss his future at the club and air his concern over the fact the Gunners have not won a trophy in three consecutive seasons.
Wenger was reportedly furious with the Nerazzurri, who openly declared their interest in the Belarussian playmaker several weeks ago. And despite the fact he has two years remaining on his current deal, Arsenal stand to lose a significant amount financially should Hleb leave, due to Article 17 of FIFA regulations.
These could be just the first among a gradual exodus from the Emirates, as even the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor could leave in search of silverware.
Mike Maguire
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