The agent of Standard Liège youngster Steven Defour has confirmed media speculation that Arsenal are tracking the prospect, and left the door firmly open for a potential transfer.
Paul Stefani told Belgian newspaper ‘Standardman’ that he is aware of interest from the Premiership, with Middlesbrough and Everton previously being linked. Yet there are bigger names tracking the 20-year-old, including Ajax, Palmero, Lyon and now, Arsenal.
“Steven Defour is regularly linked with other clubs. After Ajax, Middlesbrough and Palmero, there are bigger teams mentioned.”
“Lyon and Arsenal came to scout Steven, and they decided to return to watch him again.“
He also took the liberty of stating the current position in terms of offers, by enthusing that whilst their is nothing on the table currently, Liège could let the prospect leave if the bid suited all parties.
“There is nothing concrete.”
“If an offer does arrive, Standard should really consider it. If the deal matches all parties, his departure is very possible.”
“He could move in January, you never know. The Fellaini transfer was all concluded in a week, it just depends on if the club are willing to put the effort in, but anything could happen.”
Stefani has already told the press that it will take a bid in excess of €8 million (£6.3 million) to prize away Standard’s classy skipper, who is considered as the best player currently in the Belgian League.
Defour is a flamboyant and intelligent play-maker, who can operate in the classic number 10 position, or on the flank. His terrific technique and vision won the praise of everybody in his native country, leading to Steven claiming the Player Of The Year award.
At just 20 to be named captain of a League winning outfit shows how highly regarded he is, Defour is also a full International for Belgium.
Article By – J.Sanderson
If we buy this guy Fran Merida can kiss his Arsenal career goodbye IMO
Ive seen him play a few times and hes a clasas act but do we really need this type of player?
I’m all for him joining. i think he’s as good s what we’ve already got but on top of that this guy is a leader – someone who may bring a bit of command to the midfield despite being young.
and no i dont think this would meanthe end for merida. the squad is too small even with the carling cup kids included. just look t our injury rate.
Nasri and Wilshere are similar as this description but been indicated wing roles to begin with. I miss a powerful tank centre midfield as Diaby have been injured quite a while. Have we got anybody who can step in as such?
In the sense that most players seem to be more similar to Cesc than an old Viera type as in my opinion only Diaby fit. Maybe Ramsey in time. Though I have to admit Flamini was never in my mind until he really made an impact
We can’t keep bringing so many players in this age group (19-21) it’s time for the team we have to settle down. I think that’s the best we can do and give the players from our own academy a chance to grow into the first team shirt.
http://www.dhnet.be/sports/diables-rouges/article/227362/lyon-et-arsenal-suivent-defour.html
SweGoo you’re absolutely right and if any transfer is needed it should be two really experienced players to strengthen defence and midfield.
This is great news. For the last year (since 07/08) I’ve always hoped Defour would come to Arsenal and his performances against Liverpool in CL and Everton in the UEFA Cup didn’t exactly move him further away from the warmest places in my heart either. He is an extremely talented player and he’s pretty decent in the tackle too. He would fit in great next to Cesc imo. Happy to see that the price tag wasn’t too hefty either, something that I’m sure Wenger agrees on aswell.
My fingers are crossed. =]
Defour can also play as a d/m.He would be a great partner for Cesc.This signing though could spell the end for Rosicky and Eboue?
Eboue is decent at times, defensively he has improved even though good passer I miss his great attacking ability from the time as RB. Aqqe, that he is pretty decent in the tackle cant harm, miss that from the Petit Viera days,though the spanish combo worked great in EC
If he can operate as a right winger as Sean says, then I am sure he is a great replacement for Rosick, though lets hope Rosicky can come back soon and Eduardo can take back his old position. Have Vela or Wilshere ever operated on the right side?
Jack Wilshere has played on the right quiet a few times
alright, so then the right side should have Wilshere, Rosicky, Eboue and Walcott. Though Eboue is more central midfielder now. With Diaby and Eduardo back the central is quite well covered in my opinion. The left side will have pedro and toure next year maybe, if pedro moved fwd
though in time walcott and vela will probably be strikers
I rather see Bendtner and Vela than Walcott and Vela up front in futur, I think Bendtner has much more anticipation and football brain than Walcott. Walcott isn’t smart enough to play upfront therefor I think he’ll do better on the wing were he can keep challenge the full backs through the games.
Bendtner has grown no doubt about it. Less selfish and a good anticipation. Vela is more a striker than Walcott at the moment, must agree on that. Feel also Bendtner is more a ball winner, miss the link Eduardo provided
Ramsey might be that tank centre midfielder in the future, as well as Diaby and Muamba seemed to head in that direction. Is it any other who are a very strong tackler as well as great anticipation among the youngster coming through? As Viera
Muamba while here and Diaby the type now to correct myself
And who gave you that link Gooner Chris?
and who pased this on to you Sanderson?
NONE OTHER THAN ME
honestly what is the fuckin point of signing this player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well, so far its just an agent talking about a big club wanting to sign his player. hmm…deja vu…agents are salesmen, and can be trusted as such
Just how much “playmakers” do we really need?!
Im a bit concerned with people wanting another PV4!The fact is Cesc and PV4 didnt work.
This guy is good and can be a deep lying playmaker for Arsenal. But not really needed as he’s not a tackler of the ball by trade. I just think this is agent talk though. We check many players such as affelay but it may not materialise.
sebjob- I agree that we miss Eboue’s direct running and crossing at RB at times. He should come on for Sagna if we are chasing the game and play at RB. He’s got his chance against Everton as Sagna is injured.
This guy is good and can be a deep lying playmaker for Arsenal. But not really needed as he’s not a tackler of the ball by trade. I just think this is agent talk though. We check many players such as affelay but it may not materialise.
sebjob- I agree that we miss Eboue’s direct running and crossing at RB at times. He should come on for Sagna if we are chasing the game and play at RB. He’s got his chance against Everton as Sagna is injured.
http://arsenalcolumn.wordpress.com
you might have a point there, have not studied how cesc works with a Viera type. Thinks he and Diaby have done well, though Diaby is slightly more attacking while Viera covered the defence. Denilson for me is like Gilberto, a cleaner who stabilize softly, though I feel sometimes the midfield lacks that power which can win the ball high up and create cover. Especially last year when in the end of the season you could often see Adebayor come down to midfield
William Gallas, Bacary Sagna and Nicklas Bendtner ruled out of the club’s next two games and doubts surrounding the fitness of Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Johan Djourou ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Everton.
Diaby, Bischoff , Silvestre and some of the young guns could be in contention either on the bench. Vela will probably be out as he comes back from Mexico. I will get team news tommorow.
Is anyone else happy gallas is injured hes has been an absolute liability i hope toure and silvestre will make a good partnership. JS do u think ramsey will start considering all those injuries we have
Does anyone know what wenger said about Ramsey in his interview on ATVO? Thanks
Have anybody followed tbe progress of E-Thomas? How far is he from a first team spot?
A long long long way
“A long long way” doesn’t begin to describe how far away from a first team spot he is.
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yep this guy is good….played well against liverpool and everton
still wud have liked asharvin tho….i cant believe his wage demands tho…who does he fink he is
No more central midfielders please…we have an abundance of world class talents coming through.
Last player we bought from Belguim was Comrade. And that Felliani’s been shocking at Everton. Plus, we already have Cesc, Denilson, Diaby, Ramsey, Merida, Randall, Lansbury and then Nasri and (lol) Rosicky for the more advanced playmaker role, we need to be investing in some competetion for Song at DM.
Danny Karbassiyon is a legend, fact! Lol
I was on his facebook the other day, and yes its him..he’s not that big some one would set up a fake account for him!
Anyway, I just thought it was great how he was commenting on the Arsenal youth players and checking how they were progressing; he also has some good pics of him and Senderos when he first arrived. Truly one of the good men in football and its great to see Arsenal have helped him start a new career and he is paying them back with some good work
Oh and on a lighter note, has anyone seen Senderos’ gf! Talk about an injustice!!
where have you seen senderos gf??
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kickette.com/images/uploads/senderosgf.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kickette.com/index.php%3F/site/C29/&h=445&w=308&sz=118&hl=en&start=24&um=1&usg=___s6_OGuS7lQ6ETqEkeUIq2KAWMU=&tbnid=pvegwPPRutVOMM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=88&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dphilippe%2Bsenderos%2Bgirl%26start%3D21%26ndsp%3D21%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
senderos gf^^^^^^^^
nice blog
Why does everyone assume we’re gonna sign this guy? Arsenal scout so many players everywhere and a very small proportion of them are bought. In addition to that it could just be agent talk, so those two factors combined together make it highly unlikely we’re gonna buy this guy.
Ramsey is better.