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19 March 2024

Arsenal's transfer latest: Danny Welbeck from Man Utd

England footballers Danny Welbeck (right) and Frank Lampard take part in a training session at the St George's Park training complex, near Burton-upon-Trent, central England on March 19, 2013 ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against San Marino on March 22. (AFP)

Published
By Football Correspondent with Agencies

Arsenal have announced the signing of England international striker Danny Welbeck from Premier League rivals Manchester United on a long-term deal.

Arsenal did not specify either the length of Welbeck's contract or the fee that they paid to sign him, but British media reports said that he had cost around £16 million ($26.6 million, 20.2 million euros).

"Danny Welbeck has joined Arsenal for an undisclosed fee on a long-term deal," Arsenal announced on their website two hours after the transfer window closed on Monday.

"The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory formalities. Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Danny to the club and looks forward to his contribution in an Arsenal shirt this season."

Welbeck, a graduate of United's youth system, was allowed to leave Old Trafford as the 20-time English champions closed in on a loan move for Monaco's Colombia striker Radamel Falcao.

United, who have also allowed Javier Hernandez to join Real Madrid on loan, sent the England international a good-luck message on their official Twitter account.

"Danny Welbeck has signed for Arsenal after 29 goals in 142 appearances for MUFC," the club said. "Good luck for the future, Danny."

Welbeck leaves United having played a part in their 2009 League Cup triumph and their last Premier League title success in 2012-13.

Arsenal's need for attacking reinforcements was heightened recently when France international striker Olivier Giroud was ruled out for up to four months with a broken tibia.

Giroud's injury left 21-year-old Frenchman Yaya Sanogo as the only fit striker at the club, although new £30 million signing Alexis Sanchez can also play through the centre.

Welbeck has won 26 England caps, scoring eight goals, and is in national coach Roy Hodgson's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Norway and next week's opening 2016 European Championship qualifier in Switzerland.

He follows Chilean forward Sanchez, France right-back Mathieu Debuchy, English defender Calum Chambers, and Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina in joining Arsenal during the close season.

The lithe, fleet-footed forward, who can also play on the flanks, could make his debut for Arsene Wenger's side in their home game against Premier League champions Manchester City on September 13.

Deadline day transfer, as it happened

A Borini link has just broken on Twitter. Could just be a rumour... or...

Arsenal fans are not going to be happy at what is going on over at Manchester United. Not least, because the feeling is if Radamel Falcao was in the market, then why did Arsene Wenger not move for him, given that Olivier Giroud is injured?

Wenger knows best. Just in case here's a plea/reminder from a famous Gooner

Piers Morgan ‏@piersmorgan: This is your moment of reckoning, Arsene Wenger. Do you want to win the League or not? Go big, or go 4th again. #DeadlineDay #afc

Falcao is a Red Devil.

Instead, the latest (Daily Mail) is that Arsenal are making a deadline day move for Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar and Man City's Matija Nastasic. Both are serious touch-tackling defenders. Which means Wenger is serious about the soft underbelly... but what about the goals at the other end?

The Twitterverse has thrown Swansea’s Wilfried Bony into the last-day ring, with a price tag of £24 million? That’s the early buzz @ #SkyDeadlineDay

If that is the case, surely Arsene Wenger needs to have a look.

All you Gunner fans: Danny Welbeck (£15m) or Wilfried Bony?

Sneaky, leaky, done deals

Jose Mourinho sold Juan Mata to Manchester United last season in a sneaky move that Arsene Wenger called. This window, Mourinho nailed Loic Remy, who until yesterday was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates.

This morning, Arsenal fans will wake up to discover that their pursuit of Alessio Cercio from Torino is over as he has moved to Atletico Madrid.
Once again, Wenger is looking dangerously exposed as the transfer window shuts to a close today. Yesterday’s draw at Leicester will only exacerbate the Gunners’ fears that with Olivier Giroud out with injury their striking options are not good enough.

Wenger told Sky Sports yesterday: “Look, the decision is not to make but to find the personnel - that's the problem. We are open (to new signings) and we work on it. We are very active.

What will it be then Arsene? Danny Welbeck from Manchester United at an estimated cost of £15m.

Can Giroud-less Gunners still fire?

"The squad we have, we have enough to be successful. Why not? (Yaya) Sanogo, Sanchez, (Theo) Walcott, (Lukas) Podolski, Giroud. (Joel) Campbell. Of course we can be successful," Wenger had said earlier.

"We buy when we have to strengthen the squad. We spend when we have to.
"It is harder to buy top, top players because everyone is in the market and we all know each other."

Despite being anxious to avoid revealing his intentions in the market, Wenger confirmed he will remain open to possible dealings until the deadline passes.

"On deadline day I will be actively involved and on alert until the last minute," he added.