Arsenal Transfer News: Nigel De Jong Is Alex Song Replacement?
Arsenal are to make an "exploratory" approach for Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong ahead of a possible transfer bid.
Caught Offside. They claim that the long-serving Gunners boss is looking to add some extra steel to his midfield and has now turned his attention to the 27-year-old Dutch international enforcer as an alternative to Rennes and France youngster Yann M'Vila, who he has attempted in vain to capture all summer. De Jong surprisingly managed just 11 Premier League starts last season as he struggled to force his way into the first team on a regular basis amongst all the star players beside him. In the previous two campaigns he managed almost three times as many appearances (3o in each) and as Blues boss Roberto Mancini is under pressure to balance the books ahead of UEFA's Financial Fair Play guidelines, he may consider selling the tough-tackling former Hamburg man for the right price. There have been persistent reports that Arsenal may sell Alex Song after it emerged Barcelona were preparing a bid and he may feel the time is not right for promising youngster Emmanuel Frimpong to be thrusted straight into the first team. Having sold several players to Man City over recent seasons (Nasri, Clichy, Toure, Adebayor) it will be interesting to see if he can convince De Jong to leave the Premier League champions to come the other way and join the Emirates for a taste of first team football once again.