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Wednesday Kickoff: Walcott, Arsenal at impasse, Spurs bid for Dembele & more

Walcott (Getty Images)

Arsenal sold Robin van Persie after the Dutch striker refused to sign a long-term contract with the club. Now, the same scenario has developed with Theo Walcott.

The speedy winger reportedly turned down a five-year contract offer that would have paid him £75,000 a week and is now potentially on his way out from the Emirates, with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool ready to pounce prior to Friday's transfer deadline.

The 23-year-old Walcott, who signed with Arsenal from Southampton in 2006, is in the last year of his deal with Arsenal. The club would reportedly seek a transfer fee in the range of £15 million, £10 million more than what was paid to sign him six years ago. Should Arsenal sell Walcott, it would be the third major departure in the last two weeks following Van Persie's move to Manchester United and Alex Song's move to Barcelona.

Here are a few more stories to get your day going:

SPURS MAKE PLAY FOR DEMBELE

Tottenham have made a bid for one of Fulham's most valuable attackers, but no, it's not Clint Dempsey.

Spurs have reportedly had a £15 million offer to Fulham for Dembele accepted, with agreeing personal terms the last hurdle before the move becomes complete. Dembele, a 25-year-old Belgian international, had scored seven goals in two seasons after joining the Cottagers from AZ Alkamaar in the Netherlands. 

The move would provide a boost for Tottenham's attack, which has been improved by the permanent signing of Emmanuel Adebayor. It would also help Tottenham have cover for the potential departure of Rafael van der Vaart, who has been heavily linked to a move to German side Hamburg.

BERBATOV NEARS FIORENTINA DEAL

When Van Persie was brought to Manchester United, the writing was on the wall for Dimitar Berbatov, a player who did not figure to be part of Sir Alex Ferguson's plans this season to begin with. Now, it appears that he is headed to Serie A.

The Red Devils and Fiorentina are reportedly nearing a deal that would send the Bulgarian veteran to the improved Italian side, where he would sign a two-year contract.

Berbatov, 31, tied Carlos Tevez for the most goals in the Premier League in 2010-11 with 20 despite not being a full-time starter as the season progressed, and he has become even more of a reserve since then with the emergence of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez. He would provide another attacking option for Fiorentina, which topped Udinese in their season opener and already added the likes of David Pizarro, Matias Fernandez, Borja Valero and Alberto Aquilani this past offseason.

JULIO CESAR HEADED TO QPR

Julio Cesar's days at Inter Milan became numbered when the club signed Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovic from Udinese this summer, and now the Brazilian veteran is on his way to London.

Cesar is nearing the completion of a move to Queens Park Rangers, which would end his time with Inter, where he has played since 2005. The 32-year-old Brazilian No. 1 would compete with England goalkeeper Robert Green for the starting job for QPR, who are off to an 0-1-1 start, including a 5-0 loss to Swansea City to start the season.

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What do you make of the Walcott situation with Arsenal? Should the Gunners sell him before the deadline? Do you like the addition of Dembele for Tottenham? Do you see Berbatov rediscovering success in Serie A? Surprised that Julio Cesar would move to QPR? 

Share your thoughts below

Comments

  1. Dembele is an atacking mid, he doesn’t set things up in midfield…just not his style of play. He scored 7 goals and 7 assists in all of his 75 appearances for Fulham and hasn’t scored on the international scene since his lone goal in 09.
    My argument isn’t against Dembele, not one bit. It’s the inconsistency on Fulhams part. A few days ago Jol said they would only let Dembele go for a high fee and the got it immediately. The entire offseason/transfer market Jol has constantly said Clint isnt for sale. Great move by Fulham by offloading Dembele for £15 million, Jol way to manipulate the market. The entire Clint saga has gone on for too long; it’s taking away from the team, the players and the fans. We just want to see our boys play great football and shame on Fulham and Jol for taking the joy out of being a fan.

    Reply
  2. you sir are also entitled to your opinion, but your first statement is the definition of a troll. I guess we will just have to sit and see what happens after the transfer window if dempsey starts to play for fulham after being “held out” to prevent injury or whatever. If he starts to play then then kudos to you for figuring it out. If he does not then Dempsey was just throwing a tantrum and will be dealt with by the club.

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  3. Walcott can go. Guy is supremely inconsistent and overrated. Of all the transfers, this one would make me the most happy.

    Now, what would make me even happier is getting rid of Chamakh, Gervinho and Bentdner.

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  4. I understand Dembele is 4 years younger than Dempsey and goals aren’t everything, but at Moussa’s going rate, he’ll need those 4 years to tally what Dempsey scores in a season.

    Also, by comparison, wasn’t Arteta sold last year to Arsenal at the age of 29 for 10M?

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  5. “They obviously had other reasons, but money was definitely involved.”

    Then you’ve acknowledged the point I’ve already made. It’s not as simple as you’re attempting to paint it.

    Yes, money was a factor. Was it the only? No, and you’ve already agreed.

    Reply
  6. They obviously had other reasons, but money was definitely involved.

    Also, Alex song is getting paid to ride the bench. I think that says enough.

    Reply

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