The Arsenal Gunners made it a club priority to spend a large sum of money during the 2013 transfer period and although manager Arsene Wenger has yet to make a big-time splash, the fourth place finishers in the 2012-2013 English Premier League are still pursuing big name players. With the failed signings of Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez fresh on their minds, the Gunners hope the acquisition of another capable player will help them improve in the EPL.
According to ESPN FC, Arsenal is in pursuit of Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye. Tabling an initial bid of £10 last week, the club has been informed that the offer is not enough for the France international since Newcastle United is seeking double the offered amount. Newcastle obviously values the 27-year-old and even though the club would love to see midfielder remain at St. James' Park, team manager Alan Pardew isn't blind to the fact that Cabaye could move on even though their relationship is strong.
"Yes maybe there is a solution whereby Yohan moves on but there is also a solution that he continues to play for us," Pardew recently told The Guardian when asked about Cabaye's future. I am not resigned to Yohan leaving because you cannot go on a forecourt of a car showroom and say to the dealership 'here is what my valuation is and I'm just going to drive it off'. It does not work like that. You have to agree and only then can you drive it off. We have had one bid and it was not acceptable. I am not saying Cabaye is definitely out on Saturday."
"I have a good relationship with Yohan," Pardew continued. "I think it is important that it stays a good relationship for him and for me and for this club. The most important thing about this whole scenario is that the club wins. The club has to win here, no-one else. That is what comes first on my shift. I am manager of this club and will do what is best for the club. So if he stays, we need to get the best out of him."
Though reports indicate that Arsenal has not made a second bid to sign one of their top targets before the transfer window closes on September 2, the belief is that the Gunners will remain in pursuit of Cabaye even if Arsene Wenger isn't talking about the matter directly.
"I will not give you any names, it would make wrong hopes," Wenger said recently. "The disputes we have across the country are because managers talk about other players. We have to be discreet. But we work very hard on it. There's no fixed date on transfers. We don't have a fixed number we want. The most important thing is to focus on our own squad. If I add someone, it has to be special. I'm still optimistic, and I hope we don't disappoint you."
Since dropping their season opener to Aston Villa, Arsenal has gone on to win back-to-back matches against Fenerbahçe and Fulham. The club will play again on August 27 once more against Fenerbahçe in Champions League competition.
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