Arsenal are planning a clear-out in an attempt to boost their coffers even further during the January sales.
The news comes just 24 hours after the club’s board were heavily criticised by supporters for failing to replicate their financial success on the pitch.
Theo Walcott could lead the clearance, with Marouane Chamakh, Andrey Arshavin, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci also to be made available.
Arsenal are still trying to resolve their long-running contract dispute with Walcott, but if it is not sorted by January they will listen to offers for the England international. Liverpool, Juventus and Chelsea are monitoring the situation.
Chamakh is wanted by former club Bordeaux, while Brazilian club Internacional are also interested in the Morocco striker. However, 28-year-old Chamakh’s possible return to France is being scuppered by his £50,000-a-week wages. He is keen on a return, but Bordeaux are only willing to offer him a deal worth half that and Chamakh is unwilling to take such a drop.
Meanwhile, Fulham are interested in Arshavin, while the Russian would also have options in his homeland. Napoli are interested in signing Switzerland defender Djourou.
January’s planned auction is a continuation of Arsenal’s semi-successful summer clear-out which saw unwanted players such as Manuel Almunia, Carlos Vela and Henri Lansbury leave on a permanent basis, while Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson and Park Chu-young all left on loan.
Supporters will hope funds raised from the planned January cull will be made available to Arsene Wenger to strengthen his squad, particularly after the summer losses of Robin van Persie and Alex Song. And the Frenchman, whose side have lost three out of their last five matches, admits: ‘Maybe we have lost something (without Van Persie) but we need to look at that in the longer term.
‘Van Persie could make a goal with half a chance that is for sure, I do know that. And when you lose 40 goals somewhere (it is harder).
‘I’m not saying the players are fragile but you could see in the defeat against Schalke on Wednesday night that we played all right in the first half but slowly we dropped. Is it physical or confidence? It is difficult to know.
‘We are in a sticky patch but have to put it into perspective. We are still in a strong position in the Champions League and Premier League — but it is important to bounce back.
‘This team cares. Sometimes you are surprised that they care so much. But I know they do. When you don’t get the results the confidence goes quickly.’ – Daily Mail