Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Turn Down £10m For Abou Diaby

Arsenal have rejected an offer of 10 million pounds for French midfielder Abou Diaby, according to reports. A Turkish club, whose identity is not yet known, supposedly bid close to that amount for Diaby, but Arsenal rebuffed all their attempts, saying that they wanted to keep the player at the Emirates.

Arsenal turn down Diaby bid

According to reputed Arsenal blog Gunnerblog, Arsenal were faced with a 10 million pound bid for Diaby’s services, but Arsene Wenger felt the need to hold on to his midfield with the futures of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Denilson already uncertain. Barcelona have endlessly courted the Spanish maestro, many clubs are showing interest in the French dynamo and Denilson also wants to move to a club where he’ll get more playing opportunities.

Diaby has had an unspectacular and unlucky Arsenal career on the whole. He was a graduate of the famous Clairefontaine academy and joined Arsenal in 2006. His initial performances for the club were positive, but he suffered a horrific leg break at the feet of Sunderland player Dan Smith. He returned more than a year later and has since suffered a string of niggling injuries. The little pulls and strains have prevented him from ever having an extended run in the side, and inconsistency in his showings when he has played hasn’t helped his cause.

Last season was another disappointing one for Diaby, who made only 17 starts and scored a measly 2 goals. He was involved in the infamous bust up with Joey Barton during the second half of Arsenal’s match with Newcastle, which led to him being red carded and Newcastle clawing back a four goal deficit to draw the match 4-4.

It remains to be seen whether the Turkish club put in an improved offer, but it looks like Diaby will be staying at the Emirates next season and will get one more chance to prove his Arsenal credentials. The chances look to be dwindling out slowly for the player however.

In other news, Gunnerblog also says that Arsenal’s interest in Ricky Alvarez is very much concrete, and the player’s agents have met with Arsenal executives. Negotiations between the Gunners and Velez Sarsfield have begun and a deal is expected to be thrashed out by next week, barring any difficulties.

Arsenal have been active in the transfer market but the only buys they have made so far have been former Charlton right back Carl Jenkinson and a couple of youth signings.