Arsenal seek salvation in 'tough-tackling' Christoph Kramer
After last night's shambles, Arsene Wenger will be adding to the Gunners' transfer window shopping list
Having sensationally squandered a 3-0 lead against Anderlecht last night, Arsenal are in dire need of bolstering in the New Year.
It's therefore no surprise to read that according to an exclusive in goal.com, the Gunners are "keeping close tabs" on Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Christoph Kramer and have sent scouts to run the rule over the 23-year-old in recent weeks.
Currently in the second season of a two-year loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, Kramer has caught the attention of Arsene Wenger after a string of standout performances in the Bundesliga this season. He's rated at "around £12m" – another reason why the Nutty Professor likes the cut of Kramer's jib – and goal.com claim that "his future is shrouded in doubt" with the tough-tackling defender saying in the past that he does not want to return to Leverkusen.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kramer was also a member of the German World Cup squad and started the final before a blow to the head led to his substitution in the first half.
Meanwhile Metro reports that Liverpool and Arsenal are both "on alert" after reports from France intimated that Yohan Cabaye wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain and return to England. The 28-year-old midfielder was linked to the Gunners last season but eventually left Newcastle for the French capital.
But the move appears not to have worked out and Metro says Cabaye is pining for the Premier League. Wenger reportedly holds Cabaye "in high esteem" while Liverpool are monitoring the situation after hearing that PSG boss Laurent Blanc is "willing to let him leave" in the New Year.
Elsewhere and Talksport says that Chelsea are thinking of recalling midfielder Marco van Ginkel from his loan spell at AC Milan. Taking their cue from reports in Italy, Talksport says that the current Premier League leaders are "unhappy at the lack of playing time" that the 21-year-old van Ginkel has been given since he arrived at the San Siro at the start of September.
In total the Dutchman has played just 31 minutes of Serie A football and Italian rag Gazzetta dello Sport says that consequently Jose Mourinho is preparing to bring him back to England in January with a view to loaning him out to a Premier League club for the rest of the season.
Finally, it's a warm welcome to a regular of this august column – Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho. The 22-year-old has been mooted as a Premier League target for months and now the Daily Star is saying that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been given a "boost" in their pursuit of Carvalho with the news that Sporting are "willing to cash in" while his market value remains high.
The Star says the Portuguese club would expect around £28m in return for Carvalho, who has made no secret of his wish to broaden his horizons. "We all have ambitions and I hope one day to play in the best leagues in the world, the English or Spanish," he told the Portuguese Association's magazine last month.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is a town for all seasons
The Week Recommends Fall, winter, spring and summer all usher in new activities
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
What went wrong at CVS?
Today's Big Question Pharmacy chains are in crisis
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Russia's best investment
Opinion Eric Adams isn't the only politician with foreign benefactors
By William Falk Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
feature After seven years at Anfield, critics are wondering whether his magic is wearing off
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Raheem Sterling: Chelsea move ‘makes sense for all’
Why Everyone’s Talking About England star set for return to west London from Manchester City
By Mike Starling Published