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29 March 2024

Vorm is Wenger's crazy buy for Arsenal

Michel Vorm of Swansea City dives to save the attempt on goal of Tom Cleverley of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match at Old Trafford. (GETTY)

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Arsenal are lining up a swoop for Swansea's Michel Vorm as Arsene Wenger prepares for a summer goalkeeping shake-up, according to the Daily Mail.

Senior Gunners scouts have watched Vorm in recent weeks because Wenger wants an experienced keeper to provide competition for current No. 1 Wojciech Szczesny, it added.

Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski are also expected to be released from Emirates this summer.

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Almunia's contract expires at the end of the season and is likely leave north London after spending eight years at the club.

West Ham are considering a move for the 34-year-old if they secure promotion to the Barclays Premier League via the play-offs - though they would expect Almunia to take a pay cut on his £60,000-per-week salary, the report added.

Fabianski will also be allowed to leave, either on a season-long loan or a permanent move.

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Wenger feels Fabianski has a future at Arsenal, but the Pole wants regular first-team football.

The Gunners boss is expected to fill the void with highly-rated 19-year-old Damian Martinez, who will be promoted to the first team squad.

However, it remains to be seen whether Vorm - who has been included in Holland's provisional Euro 2012 squad and first-choice goalkeeper at Swans - would be willing to be Szczesny's understudy.

Podolski agrees to join Arsenal

Cologne winger Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal for next season, the two clubs said on Monday, ending months of speculation regarding the future of one of Germany's most exciting players. 

The 26-year-old, the relegation-threatened side's leading scorer this term with 18 Bundesliga goals, has long been a target for several top European clubs and had a year left on his Cologne contract.

An Arsenal statement said Podolski, who will join fellow Germany international Per Mertesacker at the London club, had agreed a long-term deal for an undisclosed fee.

Click to read Has Kenny turned Carroll into Torres 

"This transfer gives me the opportunity to play for a top European club on an international level," said Podolski, who joined Cologne as a 10-year-old and returned to the club after a hapless three years at Bayern Munich from 2006-09. 

"I did not decide against Cologne but for a great chance regarding my own sports development," he added in a Cologne statement.

"This was not an easy decision for me at all as Cologne, our fans and the city are special to me."

The Germany international, who has scored 43 goals in 95 appearances for the national team and is poised to go to Euro 2012, is hugely adored at Cologne.

Despite his most successful Bundesliga season so far, the left-footer has been unable to secure the top-flight future of his team with a game left to play in the season.

Cologne are in 16th place in the relegation playoff spot with 30 points, two above Hertha Berlin.  

Click to read Why Everton's Fellaini is Man Utd's Toure

Arsenal are third in the Premier League thanks largely to the goals of main striker Robin van Persie. Podolski is likely to line up on the left wing of Arsene Wenger's favoured 4-3-2-1 formation.

"We are delighted to secure the deal for Lukas and see him as an important part of our future," Wenger said. 

"He is a top-class player, a very good finisher and a proven performer at club and international level. He is a very strong player and will provide us with good attacking options."

Another German player, Marko Marin, is set to join Chelsea from Werder Bremen for next term.

M'Vila to snub Man Utd for Arsenal

Arsenal are lining up a record £18 million bid for French international Yann M'Vila, according to a report.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is moving swiftly to seal a deal in a bid to fend off interest from Manchester United, the Daily Mirror reported.

Wenger has been tracking the Rennes midfielder for more than a year.

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But Arsenal have suddenly swung into action after learning that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has also come looking for the 21-year-old star.

United have sent scouts to watch M'Vila for the past few weeks and Inter Milan and Bayern Munich have also shown an interest, it added.

But United's interest has been the spur to persuade Arsenal to move in quickly to tie up a deal even before the end of the season.

Click to read Man Utd's Pogba for Juve

Arsenal have already agreed a £10m transfer for Cologne striker Lukas Podolski and the German international is a done deal for next season.

M'Vila is the next in and the Frenchman has already indicated that his desire to play for Arsenal will be the biggest factor in his decision.

M'Vila said earlier this month: "If it is Wenger who asks you then of course that changes things."

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However, the arrival of M'Vila could throw up a question mark about the future of Alex Song in a midfield already packed with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.