It's a recyled merry-go-round today.
Senationalist quotes from William Gallas's agent in the News of the World, saying William wants to join Arsenal, whether Chelsea like it or not; and that he's turned down an £80,000/week contract. But although agent Pierre Frelot says: "Arsenal are interested and we have to find an agreement with Chelsea," he adds: "I don't know if Chelsea will agree to sell him to a rival."
The Observer reckons an offer of Robinho or Baptista plus cash may be enough to tempt Arsenal to sell Reyes. The People says Arsenal are ready to spend £16 million on French World Cup star Franck Ribery.
"Marseille know where I want to go and the club where I want to sign know it, too. Now it's for them to find an agreement. My decision is made and I will not go back on it. I want to win things, play in the Champions League and have great players around me."
It says selling Reyes will give Arsenal the sum they'll need to persuade Marseille to let Ribery go.
The Mail on Sunday says however that Arsenal will not be selling Jose Reyes, [implying all this is a figment of writers' imaginations] even though they could be up to £40 million richer this week if they sanction his move to Real Madrid and complete Ashley Cole's transfer to Chelsea.
It says Arsene Wenger wants to sign a centre-half and a midfielder and with Cole's move likely to be sealed in the next few days – only the fee remains to be settled with Arsenal holding out for more than £20m – he will have the finances to do so.
But he is reluctant to sell Reyes because he does not want his plans disrupted by the loss of a key player. Even the possibility of part-exchanging Real midfielder Julio Baptista — a player Arsenal wanted to sign last summer – is unlikely to sway him.
That midfielder [mentioned above] could well be Lens' Alou Diarra – who has a £4m get out clause – and half the price of Yaya Toure and a quarter the price of the the other Diarra, who plays for Lyon. He's in the Star on Sunday – or rather his agent is – issuing a come and get me plea.
Similar to Eric Abidal left back of Lyon, who "couldn't turn a club like Arsenal down". The SoS says Lyon winger Malouda could also follow suit.
The same paper has Lauren welcoming the development of Eboue, saying it great that an African has shown great leaps forward and that he'll support him, even if it means his place is under threat. Lauren could be a cornerstone this season, given the apparent lack of experience in the squad. Anyway he came as a midfielder.
Arsène Wenger, has complained Fifa's scheduling of an international friendly a week on Tuesday involving France and Bosnia-Herzegovina will put more stress on his side.
Wenger, says: "We are physically behind the level we would like, but that's down to the fact Fifa are not changing internationals for the start of the season but they put the World Cup back. That creates congestion, but we just have to get on with it. I have to give Thierry away again for a friendly before he plays for us, and that shows how ridiculous the whole situation is. We will go to Zagreb and be positive and try to score goals."
Meanwhile Dynamo Zagreb, who won 4-3 in a league match yesterday, and have some experienced old hands, like Jens Nowotny, are fearful of racism and UEFA sanctions for the game on Tuesday, having a history of previous trouble.
Theo Walcott has been promised first team football this season by Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal boss has rejected at least three bids from clubs wanting to take Walcott on loan for the season. The 17-year-old is likely to get his chance as early as Tuesday when Arsenal face Dinamo Zagreb in a Champions League qualifier.
Rod Liddle columnist in The Sunday Times says Cole and Chelsea deserve each other. He says they have a similar money grabbing no morality stance. Arsenal, meanwhile although he is no great fan, do have a dignity, which doesn't suit Cole.
Interesting that letters in the tabloids point to the same way of thinking. Cole may yet enter the lexicon, like Bosman, symbolising the dark ages where money meant everything and loyalty absolutely nothing.
Or maybe the premium Arsenal are putting on any sale of Cole to Chelsea is an inadvertent precursor to a much needed carbon tax.
Interesting that the Bangkok Post, also compares the loyalty of Bergkamp to the treachery of Cole.