Gooner Talk

So here we are once again. Transfer deadline day. One of the most exciting days of the year or one of the most unnecessary? Maybe that is a debate for another time.

All the focus is on the Dimitar Berbatov saga, but here at Gooner Talk, we aim to bring you the latest Arsenal transfer news with midnight approaching as faster than ever.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is unlikely to join, mainly because of Gareth Barry’s commitment to Aston Villa. Saint Etienne playmaker Blaise Matuidi has been watched by Gilles Grimandi and a possible move could be on the cards if Arsenal enter late negotiations.

Some surprising names have been linked with the likes of Patrick Vieira and Klaas Jan Huntelaar two of the stars mentioned – the latter committing to Ajax earlier this afternoon.

One player who could certainly sign tonight is Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder. The experienced German international is out of favour at the Bernabeu and with Johan Djourou rumoured to be on his way to West Ham, Metzelder may prove to be a firm Gunners target.

What do you think? Will Arsene Wenger go against his words and not get anyone? Or will Arsenal recruit an experience player to boost the squad?

Have you seen a player at the training ground? Are there any rumours that have caught your eye? Leave a comment and give your views here on GoonerTalk.

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Saint Etienne’s deep-lying playmaker Blaise Matuidi according to Sky Sports News.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been linked with a number of midfielder’s this summer since declaring that he was looking to bring one quality player in midfield to the Emirates Stadium earlier this summer.

Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, along with Everton targets Jonathan De Guzman and Stephane Mbia have all been reportedly targets for Wenger, who has lost key midfielder’s Mathieu Flamini, Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb during this transfer window.

Arsenal’s French-based scout Gilles Grimandi has seen the Matuidi in action for Les Verts and Arsene Wenger is also a known admirer of the Tolouse-born star.

However, it has now emerged that it is 21-year-old Matuidi that is set to join the Gunners, with it not known how advanced talks are between St Etienne and Arsenal.

French Under-21 International Matuidi joined Etienne from Troyes last summer, making 36 appearances for the Ligue 1 team last season and is one of France’s most sought-after prospects.

After a meeting yesterday evening with Udinese boss Pasquale Marino, reported Arsenal target Gokhan Inler will be staying at the Stadio Friuli despite recent quotes from his agent suggesting the 25-year-old’s future may lie elsewhere.

Gooner Talk told you several days ago that the Switzerland international was on the verge of a move to north London but according to Swiss sports daily Blick, the hardman midfield star will sign a new contract extension which will keep him at Zebrette until 2013.

“We have decided that Gögi (Inler) remains in Udinese,” says Dino Lamberti, Inler’s agent, after a meeting last night in Barcelona.

“Any player would want to play for Arsenal of course, but for Inler this may be perhaps a little early. Maybe a season too early.”

Inler’s contract will see him earning a rumoured £10million over four years – a fantastic reward for an up and coming Swiss youngster.

What does this mean for Arsenal though? Will Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso be Arsene Wenger’s main target? Or will their be late step-up for Villa midfielder Gareth Barry?

One thing is for sure, despite the quotes hinting at potential moves away as well as the continued paper speculation – Gokhan Inler is staying in Italy, at least for another season.