Arsenal lead chase for Valencia midfielder Ever Banega | thelondonpaper.com
Banega is determined to show he can compete at the highest level and has ruled out any chance of him going back to Valencia next season.
He said: “I will not return to Valencia, even though I still have a contract with them.”
Ever Banega: Arsenal Turn to £5M Argentine Starlet as Melo Chooses Juventus
Arsenal will now shift their attention towards Argentine defensive midfielder Ever Banega now reports have surfaced in Italy that number one target Felipe Melo is about to sign for Juventus. Rafael Benitez is also a known admirer but is not expected to raid his old club Valencia unless Javier Mascherano departs leaving the Gunners firmly in the driving seat.
Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Turns To Valencia Outcast Ever Banega ? Report - Goal.com
After appearing to lose out on the signing of in-demand Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has turned his attention to Ever Banega, according to reports in the South American press. The player in question is available for transfer after making his desire to leave Valencia public knowledge.
Banega signed for los Che in 2008 after impressing in Argentina for Boca Juniors, although he was then farmed out on loan to Atletico Madrid and has since indicated that he does not want to return to the Mestalla, preferring an extended stay at Atletico.
Argentina's Telam newspaper has speculated that the player's willingness to leave Valencia has attracted Wenger, who is looking to bolster his midfield line this summer after being relentlessly criticised last season for failing to replace three outbound defensive midfielders in the form of Lassana Diarra, Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto.
Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne's Blaise Matuidi has also been linked with a move to Ashburton Grove, and neither player will likely fetch a high transfer fee.
Wenger has already splashed out €11.5 million on the acquisition of former Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen, an aerially-dominant defender who is also a reputedly astute man-marker.