Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Grab: August 20, 2008


We all know Arsene Wenger hates to pay retail, but a possible shock move for out-of-favor leftback Mikael Silvestre from Old Trafford to the Emirates may be one of the deals of the transfer window. The former French international could be pulling on an Arsenal strip for around $1.4M (750,000 GBP), eschewing an opportunity to sit on the bench for the Red Devils.

Although returning from a series of long-term injuries and on the wrong side of 30 for a fullback, this may be a deal; at worst, he sits on the bench injured, for a mere pittance of a transfer fee, and at best, he fills in next to Gallas in the center of defense against teams Phillipe Senderos can't handle, namely those with big, powerful center forwards. If it happens it's another option for cover in the defense, similar to if the club retained Gilberto instead of letting him go to Panathinaikos for $2M.

Gunners in shock move to steal United's Silvestre from under the noses of Sunderland [Daily Mail]

And since we're on the subject of Wenger's stinginess, Dutch striker Nacer Barazite joined Championship side Derby County on a one month loan. A month? Wow, how benevolent of the gaffer. At 18, Barazite can play a few positions in the final third of the pitch and featured a couple of times in the Gunners' League Cup campaign last season before succumbing to a dislocated shoulder.

Rams snare Gunners starlet [Sky Sports]

What is it about sulky French strikers that EPL managers love? Nicolas Anelka, le Sulk returned to England with Chelsea last year, but just started being relevant to the Blues. Now, it looks like Djibril Cisse will be at the Stadium of Light in a Sunderland kit, on loan from Olympique Marseille. Question is, can he make difference for the Black Cats or is he one more leg break away from retirement?

Cisse joins Sunderland on loan [Reuters]

-bl

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