Transfer talk: Arsenal’s Wenger coy on Khedira; Tottenham complete Dier move

Arsene Wenger says he hasn't put a bid in on Real Madrid's Sami Khedira but also won't deny interest in the player while Tottenham finished their signing of Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger shown during his side's Emirates Cup pre-season friendly match against Benfica on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium. Michael Regan / Getty Images / August 2, 2014

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Saturday that his side have not made an offer for rumoured transfer target Sami Khedira, the Real Madrid midfielder.

Khedira, a member of Germany’s World Cup-winning side, faces renewed competition for a first-team place at Madrid following the arrival of Colombia star James Rodriguez and Arsenal have been linked with a move for him.

But Wenger kept his cards close to his chest when he was asked about his club’s reported interest in the 27-year-old after Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 win over Benfica in the Emirates Cup friendly tournament.

Asked if Arsenal had submitted a bid for Khedira, he replied: “No.”

When pressed as to whether Wenger had enquired about the midfielder’s availability, he said: “What is enquired? I don’t know. If I read the (British) newspapers, (they say) he’s available.”

Wenger also hinted on Friday that defender Thomas Vermaelen could leave the Premier League club before the end of the transfer window.

The 28-year-old Belgian has been linked with a move to Manchester United.

“At the moment Thomas Vermaelen is here. He is injured at the moment with a short-term injury. It could happen, yes it’s a possibility that he goes. If he goes we have to replace him because he’s an important player in our squad,” Wenger told a news conference.

“I expect him to stay but he, of course, did not play enough games last year. For me he’s a very important player but I couldn’t guarantee him the games he wanted last year.”

Wenger has recruited Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, France defender Mathieu Debuchy, Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina and young English defender Calum Chambers.

He denied reports that he was trying to sign Porto playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero but said further moves in the transfer market were possible.

“I am very happy because I did what I wanted and I am still hoping to do more,” he said.

“We are a bit ahead of what we usually do because the availability on the market was bigger than before. I think 15-30 August will be busy again.”

Wenger played down comments by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard that Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was too good to move to Arsenal who were interested in signing him 12 months ago.

“You’re never too good for Arsenal and Steven Gerrard knows that,” Wenger said.

“But I can understand completely that he asked him to stay because he wanted him, to play with him and have a chance to win the Premier League. But it didn’t happen, and anyway, Suarez left,” Wenger added, referring to the Uruguayan’s recent move to Barcelona.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of English defender Eric Dier from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon on a five-year deal, the Premier League club announced on Saturday.

No fee was disclosed but media reports say Spurs paid around £4 million (Dh24.7m)for the England Under-21 International.

“It has always been my ambition and my dream to come back to England and play in the Premier League,” the 20-year-old told the club website.

“I’ve watched a lot of Tottenham and I’ve always enjoyed the way they play, their attacking football.”

“I think, coming from Portugal, that suits me and this season I just want to adapt really quickly to the Premier League and do the best I can.”

Dier’s family moved to Portugal when he was a child.

He made 30 appearances for the Lisbon club, and spent time on loan at Everton in 2011.

He is Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino’s third signing following the arrival of Wales defender Ben Davies and Netherlands goalkeeper Michel Vorm, both from Swansea City.

Spurs open their league campaign at West Ham United on August 16.

Dynamo Moscow

France international playmaker Mathieu Valbuena has completed his transfer from Marseille to Dynamo Moscow, the Russian club confirmed on Saturday.

Dynamo announced on their Twitter feed that Valbuena had signed a three-year deal in the Russian capital.

The confirmation came after a Marseille director, speaking before his team’s friendly against Italian club Chievo in southern France, told journalists that Valbuena had departed for a transfer fee of EU€7.5m (Dh36.7m).

“Dynamo have a very interesting project and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Valbuena told Dynamo’s website.

“The club’s ambitions match my own and I’m looking forward to making my debut and to helping the club achieve their goals for the season.”

The 29-year-old Valbuena, who underwent a medical earlier on Saturday, will reportedly earn EU€10m over the course of the three-season deal.

Valbuena has won 38 caps for France, including featuring in four games during Les Bleus’ run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil last month.

He opted to move to Moscow despite reported interest from English Premier League clubs Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United.

Dynamo president Boris Rotenberg said: “We are hoping that his high class will help take the club on to the next level.”

Valbuena joined Marseille in 2006 and helped the south-coast side win the Ligue 1 title in 2010, but OM have been open to offers for Valbuena and other leading players as they look to cut costs after failing to qualify for this season’s Champions League.

Dynamo finished fourth in the Russian Premier League last season and face Hapoel Kiryat Shmona of Israel in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie next midweek.

Manchester City

Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is returning to the English Premier League with Manchester City on a six-month loan from MLS expansion club New York City FC.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed the deal Saturday after the club’s International Champions Cup victory over Olimpiakos at the University of Minnesota.

Lampard signed a two-year contact with the New York club – owned by Manchester City and the New York Yankees – last month. The MLS team are scheduled to begin play next year.

The 36-year-old Lampard is Chelsea’s career goals leader. Manchester City are scheduled to face Chelsea on September 21 in the Premier League.

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