While much of the media focus has been on Arsenal’s summer signings, nothing major has come to fruition. On the other hand Manchester United may just wrap up Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder’s signing in the days to come. There has been no ‘sign’ of high-profile signings for the Gunners so far, and fans are having to content with speculations only. Here’s a look at the latest in Arsenal transfer news that have made headlines in the past weeks.

Clichy out, Arsenal defence still languishing

Left back Gaël Clichy moves to Manchester City on a 4-year contract. The transfer fee has not been disclosed, but is said to be close to £7 million. Now Arsenal is left without a left back and is also quite weak as far as the centre back position is concerned. Djourou and Koscielny are talented players but not as intimidating as the club would like its central defence to be.

Talks with Bolton defender Gary Cahill are still on, though the latest rumours suggest that he could go the Chelsea way, with the club reportedly in the race for the £17million- worth 25-year player. Gunners have to think of a different strategy if Cahill joins the Blues. They have some hope in the form of Christopher Samba, but once again speculations are rife that Tottenham Hotspur has offered Robbie Keane and Sebastien Bassong to the Rovers in an exchange deal for the 27-year old centre-half. Wenger’s hesitancy to sign on Samba has been attributed to the player’s £12m valuation, one that the Frenchman feels is priced too high.

Gervinho’s signing confirmed

Wenger broke news of Lille striker and Ivory Coast International Gervinho’s signing for a reported £11 million (actual fees were undisclosed). This makes him the second ‘confirmed Arsenal player’ after full-back from Charlton Athletic Carl Jenkinson made the move to Emirates. He is currently being subject to the regulatory process associated with a club transfer. The 24-year old will be playing alongside compatriot Eboue and his signing will hopefully be an auspicious start to major summer transfers, which have been moving at snail’s pace as far as the Gunners are concerned.

Wenger non-committal over Fabregas and Nasri

Even as speculations about star players Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas abound, their move to Man U and Barcelona respectively, seems to have encountered a roadblock. A lot of dillydallying and non-committal responses are all we have been getting from the players and their manager. Is Wenger hoping against hope, believing that the two players will stay back? Or does he have a strategy up his sleeve? After all he also has to keep the money factor in mind; Arsenal doesn’t exactly have the kind of funds that Manchester City has? More recently at Kuala Lumpur, he said that Fabregas loved the club and that the Barca rumours have been going on for years. On Nasri, Wenger said that he could be at the club the coming season but whether or not he would sign a new contract would depend on the player.

Arsenal’s most latest pursuit for 23-year old Valencia C.F winger Juan Mata also turned out to be a damp squib as the President of the Spanish club, Manuel Llorente, made it clear that Mata was not up for sale which is a shame if you take a look at this video!

Related posts:

1. Latest Arsenal Transfer News 2/7/11
2. Gervinho all set to join Arsenal