Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Premier League Wigan 3-2 Arsenal - as it happened
reamble Hello. Nobody said obsession unrequited love was easy. The trick is to accept it will never happen, embrace that soul-crushing, gut-knotting misery and plough through the months of sleepless, tearful nights listening to Fix You on loop so that you can eventually emerge at the other end of the tunnel a pale shadow of the man/woman you were when you went in.
Simple. But for Arsenal, that hasn't been the case. Every time their fans have started to accept that they won't be winning the league this season, they have received a fresh snifter of hope – an email, a word on the grapevine that the special person has been asking after you, a text with an X on the end!!!!
On at least four occasions, Arsenal have been formally scrubbed out of the title race, like that bloke in Amelie solemnly deleting his dead friend from his address book, but they now have a bit of hope after Chelsea's defeat yesterday. It remains the longest of long shots – because of their inferior goal difference, Arsenal need to win all their games and hope that Chelsea drop at least four points and Manchester United at least three – but where there is a shot, there is hope. And, as we all know, that's the most dangerous thing of all.
Arsenal simply must win today. For Wigan, the more important games are to come: West Ham away next weekend, and particularly Hull at home on May Bank Holiday Monday. Wigan are four points clear of Hull, but their run-in is much harder and they've only won three of the last 20. They don't need to win today, but a sly point certainly wouldn't go amiss. I think Wigan have got real problems. I hope they don't go down, because they do things the right way and, whatever happens in today's game, it'll be retina-friendly.
Preamble Hello. Nobody said obsession unrequited love was easy. The trick is to accept it will never happen, embrace that soul-crushing, gut-knotting misery and plough through the months of sleepless, tearful nights listening to Fix You on loop so that you can eventually emerge at the other end of the tunnel a pale shadow of the man/woman you were when you went in.
Simple. But for Arsenal, that hasn't been the case. Every time their fans have started to accept that they won't be winning the league this season, they have received a fresh snifter of hope – an email, a word on the grapevine that the special person has been asking after you, a text with an X on the end!!!!
On at least four occasions, Arsenal have been formally scrubbed out of the title race, like that bloke in Amelie solemnly deleting his dead friend from his address book, but they now have a bit of hope after Chelsea's defeat yesterday. It remains the longest of long shots – because of their inferior goal difference, Arsenal need to win all their games and hope that Chelsea drop at least four points and Manchester United at least three – but where there is a shot, there is hope. And, as we all know, that's the most dangerous thing of all.
Arsenal simply must win today. For Wigan, the more important games are to come: West Ham away next weekend, and particularly Hull at home on May Bank Holiday Monday. Wigan are four points clear of Hull, but their run-in is much harder and they've only won three of the last 20. They don't need to win today, but a sly point certainly wouldn't go amiss. I think Wigan have got real problems. I hope they don't go down, because they do things the right way and, whatever happens in today's game, it'll be retina-friendly.
Go on, treat yourself.
Team news Robin van Persie remains on the bench for Arsenal, having had a muscular reaction following his superb substitute appearance at Spurs on Wednesday. The very promising defensive midfielder Craig Eastmond starts only his second league game, while Lukasz Fabianski replaces the injured Manuel Almunia. The on-loan Bolivian Marcelo Moreno and Ben Watson come in for Wigan.
Wigan (4-2-3-1) Kirkland; Melchiot, Gohouri, Bramble, Figueroa; Diame, McCarthy; N'Zogbia, Watson, Rodallega; Moreno.
Subs: Stojkovic, Scharner, Scotland, Moses, Gomez, Sinclair, Boyce.
Arsenal (4-1-4-1) Fabianski; Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Clichy; Eastmond; Walcott, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky; Bendtner.
Subs: Mannone, van Persie, Vela, Eboue, Traore, Merida, Henderson.
Simple. But for Arsenal, that hasn't been the case. Every time their fans have started to accept that they won't be winning the league this season, they have received a fresh snifter of hope – an email, a word on the grapevine that the special person has been asking after you, a text with an X on the end!!!!
On at least four occasions, Arsenal have been formally scrubbed out of the title race, like that bloke in Amelie solemnly deleting his dead friend from his address book, but they now have a bit of hope after Chelsea's defeat yesterday. It remains the longest of long shots – because of their inferior goal difference, Arsenal need to win all their games and hope that Chelsea drop at least four points and Manchester United at least three – but where there is a shot, there is hope. And, as we all know, that's the most dangerous thing of all.
Wigan 3-2 Arsenal - as it happened
Wigan scored three times in the last 10 minutes to claim an astonishing victory and end Arsenal's title challenge
Premier League
| Wigan Athletic 3 |
|
|---|---|
| Arsenal 2 |
|
- guardian.co.uk, Sunday 18 April 2010 12.49 BST
- Article history
This page will update automatically every minute: On | Off
Titus Bramble fouls Theo Walcott. Photograph: John Walton/Empics Sport
Simple. But for Arsenal, that hasn't been the case. Every time their fans have started to accept that they won't be winning the league this season, they have received a fresh snifter of hope – an email, a word on the grapevine that the special person has been asking after you, a text with an X on the end!!!!
On at least four occasions, Arsenal have been formally scrubbed out of the title race, like that bloke in Amelie solemnly deleting his dead friend from his address book, but they now have a bit of hope after Chelsea's defeat yesterday. It remains the longest of long shots – because of their inferior goal difference, Arsenal need to win all their games and hope that Chelsea drop at least four points and Manchester United at least three – but where there is a shot, there is hope. And, as we all know, that's the most dangerous thing of all.
Arsenal simply must win today. For Wigan, the more important games are to come: West Ham away next weekend, and particularly Hull at home on May Bank Holiday Monday. Wigan are four points clear of Hull, but their run-in is much harder and they've only won three of the last 20. They don't need to win today, but a sly point certainly wouldn't go amiss. I think Wigan have got real problems. I hope they don't go down, because they do things the right way and, whatever happens in today's game, it'll be retina-friendly.
Go on, treat yourself.
Team news Robin van Persie remains on the bench for Arsenal, having had a muscular reaction following his superb substitute appearance at Spurs on Wednesday. The very promising defensive midfielder Craig Eastmond starts only his second league game, while Lukasz Fabianski replaces the injured Manuel Almunia. The on-loan Bolivian Marcelo Moreno and Ben Watson come in for Wigan.
Wigan (4-2-3-1) Kirkland; Melchiot, Gohouri, Bramble, Figueroa; Diame, McCarthy; N'Zogbia, Watson, Rodallega; Moreno.
Subs: Stojkovic, Scharner, Scotland, Moses, Gomez, Sinclair, Boyce.
Arsenal (4-1-4-1) Fabianski; Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Clichy; Eastmond; Walcott, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky; Bendtner.
Subs: Mannone, van Persie, Vela, Eboue, Traore, Merida, Henderson.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Arsenal
Arsenal may have been off the pace in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93, but they made up for it by winning both the FA and League Cups.
The Premier League crown eluded them until 1998 - two years into manager Arsene Wenger's tenure - when they did the league and FA Cup double. Under the Frenchman, the Gunners shook off their "boring" image and began to play some of the most attractive football in England.
In eight of his 13 seasons at the club, Arsenal have finished first or second. And together with star players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, Wenger took Arsenal to another "double" in 2002.
The Gunners reached the Champions' League final in 2006, becoming the first London team to do so, but lost to Barcelona. Their Barclaycard Premiership title in 2003/04 saw them become only the second team to win the league without losing a match - earning them the title "The Invincibles." Overall they went 49 matches unbeaten, which is a national record.
Club Heritage
In 1886, a group of workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory formed a team called Dial Square, renaming themselves to Royal Arsenal shortly afterwards. The team turned professional in 1891 and changed its name again to Woolwich Arsenal, eventually dropping the prefix completely in 1913 when they moved to Highbury.
Arsenal
The Gunners joined the Second Division in 1893 and were promoted in 1904. Success eluded them until the arrival of Herbert Chapman in 1925 when they won the league five times between 1930 and 1938 and the FA Cup twice. Chapman, who died in 1934, was also behind the renaming of the nearest London Underground station to Arsenal.
Arsenal had to wait until the 1970s for their next period of success. But their first double in 1971 was followed by several near-misses - finishing second in 1972, and losing three FA Cup finals and the 1980 European Cup Winners' Cup final.
It was not until the return of ex-player George Graham as manager that the club rose to greatness again - winning six trophies during his nine-year reign. That included League Cup success in 1987 and 1993, the FA Cup in 1993, the league title in 1989 and 1991 and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. Arsenal hold the enviable record of the most consecutive seasons in the top flight - 81 at present.
Premier League History
1992/93 - Win the FA Cup and League Cup double
1993/94 - Win the European Cup Winners' Cup
1994/95 - George Graham sacked. Stewart Houston becomes caretaker. Lose the Cup Winners' Cup final to Real Zaragoza
1995/96 - Bruce Rioch takes charge for one season before resigning
1996/97 - Arsène Wenger becomes manager. Signs Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira
1997/98 - Win the FA Carling Premiership and FA Cup double
1999/00 - Sign Thierry Henry. Lose the UEFA Cup final on penalties to Galatasaray
2000/01 - Break club record transfer signing Sylvain Wiltord for reported £13m
2001/02 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership and FA Cup double
2003/04 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership without losing a match
2005/06 - Last season at Highbury. Lose the Champions' League final to Barcelona
2006/07 - Move to Emirates Stadium
The Premier League crown eluded them until 1998 - two years into manager Arsene Wenger's tenure - when they did the league and FA Cup double. Under the Frenchman, the Gunners shook off their "boring" image and began to play some of the most attractive football in England.
In eight of his 13 seasons at the club, Arsenal have finished first or second. And together with star players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, Wenger took Arsenal to another "double" in 2002.
The Gunners reached the Champions' League final in 2006, becoming the first London team to do so, but lost to Barcelona. Their Barclaycard Premiership title in 2003/04 saw them become only the second team to win the league without losing a match - earning them the title "The Invincibles." Overall they went 49 matches unbeaten, which is a national record.
Club Heritage
In 1886, a group of workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory formed a team called Dial Square, renaming themselves to Royal Arsenal shortly afterwards. The team turned professional in 1891 and changed its name again to Woolwich Arsenal, eventually dropping the prefix completely in 1913 when they moved to Highbury.
Arsenal
The Gunners joined the Second Division in 1893 and were promoted in 1904. Success eluded them until the arrival of Herbert Chapman in 1925 when they won the league five times between 1930 and 1938 and the FA Cup twice. Chapman, who died in 1934, was also behind the renaming of the nearest London Underground station to Arsenal.
Arsenal had to wait until the 1970s for their next period of success. But their first double in 1971 was followed by several near-misses - finishing second in 1972, and losing three FA Cup finals and the 1980 European Cup Winners' Cup final.
It was not until the return of ex-player George Graham as manager that the club rose to greatness again - winning six trophies during his nine-year reign. That included League Cup success in 1987 and 1993, the FA Cup in 1993, the league title in 1989 and 1991 and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. Arsenal hold the enviable record of the most consecutive seasons in the top flight - 81 at present.
Premier League History
1992/93 - Win the FA Cup and League Cup double
1993/94 - Win the European Cup Winners' Cup
1994/95 - George Graham sacked. Stewart Houston becomes caretaker. Lose the Cup Winners' Cup final to Real Zaragoza
1995/96 - Bruce Rioch takes charge for one season before resigning
1996/97 - Arsène Wenger becomes manager. Signs Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira
1997/98 - Win the FA Carling Premiership and FA Cup double
1999/00 - Sign Thierry Henry. Lose the UEFA Cup final on penalties to Galatasaray
2000/01 - Break club record transfer signing Sylvain Wiltord for reported £13m
2001/02 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership and FA Cup double
2003/04 - Win the Barclaycard Premiership without losing a match
2005/06 - Last season at Highbury. Lose the Champions' League final to Barcelona
2006/07 - Move to Emirates Stadium
S.E.C. Accuses Goldman of Fraud in Housing Deal
to source:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/business/17goldman.html?ref=todayspaper
Goldman Sachs, the Wall Street powerhouse, was accused of securities fraud in a civil lawsuit filed Friday by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which claims the bank created and sold a mortgage investment that was secretly intended to fail.
The move was the first time that regulators had taken action against a Wall Street deal that helped investors capitalize on the collapse of the housing market.
The suit also named Fabrice Tourre, a vice president at Goldman who helped create and sell the investment.
In a statement, Goldman called the commission’s accusations “completely unfounded in law and fact” and said it would “vigorously contest them and defend the firm and its reputation.”
The focus of the S.E.C. case, an investment vehicle called Abacus 2007-AC1, was one of 25 such vehicles that Goldman created so the bank and some of its clients could bet against the housing market. Those deals, which were the subject of an article in The New York Times in December, initially protected Goldman from losses when the mortgage market disintegrated and later yielded profits for the bank.
As the Abacus portfolios in the S.E.C. case plunged in value, a prominent hedge fund manager made money from his bets against certain mortgage bonds, while investors lost more than $1 billion.
According to the complaint, Goldman created Abacus 2007-AC1 in February 2007 at the request of John A. Paulson, a prominent hedge fund manager who earned an estimated $3.7 billion in 2007 by correctly wagering that the housing bubble would burst. Mr. Paulson is not named in the suit.
Goldman told investors that the bonds would be chosen by an independent manager. In the case of Abacus 2007-AC1, however, Goldman let Mr. Paulson select mortgage bonds that he believed were most likely to lose value, according to the complaint.
Goldman then sold the package to investors like foreign banks, pension funds and insurance companies, which would profit only if the bonds gained value. The European banks IKB and ABN Amro and other investors lost more than $1 billion in the deal, the commission said.
“Goldman wrongly permitted a client that was betting against the mortgage market to heavily influence which mortgage securities to include in an investment portfolio,” Robert Khuzami, the director of the commission’s enforcement division, said in a written statement.
The lawsuit could be a sign of a revitalized Securities and Exchange Commission, which has been criticized for early missteps in assessing the causes of the financial crisis. The agency appears to be tracing the mortgage pipeline all the way from the companies like Countrywide Financial that originated home loans to the raucous trading floors that dominate Wall Street’s profit machine.
At a conference in New Orleans on Friday, Mr. Khuzami indicated that he was scrutinizing other deals involving mortgage securities. “We’re looking at a wide range of products,” he said at a news conference. “If we see securities with similar profiles, we’ll look at them closely.”
Shares of Goldman Sachs plunged more than 10 percent in just the first half-hour of trading after the suit was announced Friday morning. They closed down 13 percent, at $160.70, wiping away more than $10 billion of the company’s market value.
Investors sold other bank stocks, as well, as rumors swirled about which other firms might become embroiled in the commission’s investigation. Next to Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank’s American shares had the steepest decline, falling 7 percent.
Goldman issued a second statement after the market closed saying that the firm had lost money on the deal in the S.E.C. case and that it provided investors with extensive disclosure on the deal. The firm said the losses in the deal came from the overall collapse of the mortgage market, not from the way the deal was structured.
The accusations amount to a black eye for the once-untouchable Goldman Sachs, a money machine that is the epicenter of Wall Street power. For decades, its platinum reputation has attracted top investors and stock underwriting deals.
Several of its former chief executives have gone on to high public office, among them Henry M. Paulson Jr., the former Treasury secretary, and Jon Corzine, the former New Jersey governor. (Henry Paulson and John Paulson are not related.)
In recent months, Goldman has been defiant in the face of criticism, repeatedly defending its actions in the mortgage market, including its own bets against it. In a letter published last week in Goldman’s annual report, the bank rebutted criticism that it had created, and sold to its clients, mortgage-linked securities that it had little confidence in.
“We certainly did not know the future of the residential housing market in the first half of 2007 any more than we can predict the future of markets today,” Goldman wrote. “We also did not know whether the value of the instruments we sold would increase or decrease.”
The letter continued: “Although Goldman Sachs held various positions in residential mortgage-related products in 2007, our short positions were not a ‘bet against our clients.’ ” Instead, the trades were used to hedge other trading positions, the bank said.
Goldman was one of many Wall Street firms that created complex mortgage securities — known as synthetic collateralized debt obligations — as the housing wave was cresting. At the time, traders like Mr. Paulson, as well as those within Goldman, were looking for ways to bet against the overheated market.
Goldman Sachs, the Wall Street powerhouse, was accused of securities fraud in a civil lawsuit filed Friday by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which claims the bank created and sold a mortgage investment that was secretly intended to fail.
The move was the first time that regulators had taken action against a Wall Street deal that helped investors capitalize on the collapse of the housing market.
The suit also named Fabrice Tourre, a vice president at Goldman who helped create and sell the investment.
In a statement, Goldman called the commission’s accusations “completely unfounded in law and fact” and said it would “vigorously contest them and defend the firm and its reputation.”
The focus of the S.E.C. case, an investment vehicle called Abacus 2007-AC1, was one of 25 such vehicles that Goldman created so the bank and some of its clients could bet against the housing market. Those deals, which were the subject of an article in The New York Times in December, initially protected Goldman from losses when the mortgage market disintegrated and later yielded profits for the bank.
As the Abacus portfolios in the S.E.C. case plunged in value, a prominent hedge fund manager made money from his bets against certain mortgage bonds, while investors lost more than $1 billion.
According to the complaint, Goldman created Abacus 2007-AC1 in February 2007 at the request of John A. Paulson, a prominent hedge fund manager who earned an estimated $3.7 billion in 2007 by correctly wagering that the housing bubble would burst. Mr. Paulson is not named in the suit.
Goldman told investors that the bonds would be chosen by an independent manager. In the case of Abacus 2007-AC1, however, Goldman let Mr. Paulson select mortgage bonds that he believed were most likely to lose value, according to the complaint.
Goldman then sold the package to investors like foreign banks, pension funds and insurance companies, which would profit only if the bonds gained value. The European banks IKB and ABN Amro and other investors lost more than $1 billion in the deal, the commission said.
“Goldman wrongly permitted a client that was betting against the mortgage market to heavily influence which mortgage securities to include in an investment portfolio,” Robert Khuzami, the director of the commission’s enforcement division, said in a written statement.
The lawsuit could be a sign of a revitalized Securities and Exchange Commission, which has been criticized for early missteps in assessing the causes of the financial crisis. The agency appears to be tracing the mortgage pipeline all the way from the companies like Countrywide Financial that originated home loans to the raucous trading floors that dominate Wall Street’s profit machine.
At a conference in New Orleans on Friday, Mr. Khuzami indicated that he was scrutinizing other deals involving mortgage securities. “We’re looking at a wide range of products,” he said at a news conference. “If we see securities with similar profiles, we’ll look at them closely.”
Shares of Goldman Sachs plunged more than 10 percent in just the first half-hour of trading after the suit was announced Friday morning. They closed down 13 percent, at $160.70, wiping away more than $10 billion of the company’s market value.
Investors sold other bank stocks, as well, as rumors swirled about which other firms might become embroiled in the commission’s investigation. Next to Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank’s American shares had the steepest decline, falling 7 percent.
Goldman issued a second statement after the market closed saying that the firm had lost money on the deal in the S.E.C. case and that it provided investors with extensive disclosure on the deal. The firm said the losses in the deal came from the overall collapse of the mortgage market, not from the way the deal was structured.
The accusations amount to a black eye for the once-untouchable Goldman Sachs, a money machine that is the epicenter of Wall Street power. For decades, its platinum reputation has attracted top investors and stock underwriting deals.
Several of its former chief executives have gone on to high public office, among them Henry M. Paulson Jr., the former Treasury secretary, and Jon Corzine, the former New Jersey governor. (Henry Paulson and John Paulson are not related.)
In recent months, Goldman has been defiant in the face of criticism, repeatedly defending its actions in the mortgage market, including its own bets against it. In a letter published last week in Goldman’s annual report, the bank rebutted criticism that it had created, and sold to its clients, mortgage-linked securities that it had little confidence in.
“We certainly did not know the future of the residential housing market in the first half of 2007 any more than we can predict the future of markets today,” Goldman wrote. “We also did not know whether the value of the instruments we sold would increase or decrease.”
The letter continued: “Although Goldman Sachs held various positions in residential mortgage-related products in 2007, our short positions were not a ‘bet against our clients.’ ” Instead, the trades were used to hedge other trading positions, the bank said.
Goldman was one of many Wall Street firms that created complex mortgage securities — known as synthetic collateralized debt obligations — as the housing wave was cresting. At the time, traders like Mr. Paulson, as well as those within Goldman, were looking for ways to bet against the overheated market.
Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Won't Make A Plea Deal
The lawyer for Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray announced Friday (April 16) that there will be no plea bargain in his client's involuntary-manslaughter case, according to The Associated Press.
No matter what Deputy District Attorney David Walgren presents, attorney Ed Chernoff contends that "plea bargains are for guilty people." Chernoff also expressed concerns about the jury remaining impartial in a case regarding a revered entertainer.
Murray, a 57-year-old cardiologist, previously pleaded not guilty to the involuntary-manslaughter charges brought up against him in Jackson's death. Murray gave the singer anesthetic propofol and other drugs, as indicated by the autopsy report.
Murray's bail was set at $75,000 bail, nearly triple the amount set for comparable crimes. Walgren is attempting to prove the doctor demonstrated gross negligence when he gave the singer propofol to help him sleep.
More specific evidence might come to light at the June 14 preliminary hearing. Murray continues to declare his innocence, and Chernoff reasons that nothing that he gave Jackson "should have" resulted in death.
"You may find after you are done watching the trial that it is not nearly as cut-and-dried as has been presented," Chernoff told the AP. "One thing that simply will never be the truth is that Dr. Murray pumped a bunch of drugs into Michael Jackson and walked out of that room. He's not that kind of guy."
Murray admitted to police that he administered those drugs to help Jackson sleep and subsequently left his bedside. Cell phone records reveal that Murray made at least three personal calls around that time. A Jackson employee who said he was present in the hospital room told police that Murray interrupted CPR to collect drug vials.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles Judge Michael Pastor delayed the California State Attorney General's Office's motion to revoke Murray's medical license until the June hearing. Members of Jackson's family, including father Joe, mother Kathleen, sister Janet and brothers Randy and Jermaine, were in attendance.
Events and new developments surrounding the singer's sudden death have persisted for the past 10 months. Jackson died June 25 at the age of 50 in his rented Bel Air mansion mere days prior to a comeback tour in London. He had hired Murray to keep tabs on his health during the rehearsals.
Exclusive: Arsenal And Manchester City Target Gregory van der Wiel Being Watched By 'One Or Two Premier League Clubs' - AgentAjax star Gregory van der
Ajax star Gregory van der Wiel is being watched by 'one or two' Premier League clubs, the player's agent has revealed, fuelling speculation that Arsenal and Manchester City could compete for the right-back's signature this summer.
Big-spending City have made their interest known for the highly-rated Van der Wiel, 22, and have been watching him since last year, Hakim Slimani said today.
Arsenal have also reportedly sent their scouts to Ajax to keep an eye on the skilful defender, who has played his way into Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands squad.
Van der Wiel's agent Slimani said: "No club has approached me officially in recent weeks to tell me they are watching Gregory since Manchester City a few months ago, but you hear one or two English clubs are keeping an eye on him. That wouldn't be surprising.
"Gregory is enjoying an excellent season and is playing really well. He is determined to win the title with Ajax and is really happy there."
After switching from centre-back to the flank under previous Ajax manager Marco van Basten, his price tag has soared to an estimated £10 million as he has made his reputation as one of the best young defenders in the game.
Inter Milan, and Van der Wiel would be an ideal replacement. Standing just under six feet tall and with an electric turn of pace, Arsene Wenger ’s cultured approach is the perfect fit for the Ajax youth system graduate.
Goal.com UK revealed yesterday that Arsene Wenger is set to be handed a transfer war chest of £45 million this summer to strengthen his injury-ravaged squad, so the Arsenal boss could comfortably afford to raise the £10 million needed to prise him from Ajax.
At City, the right-back spot is up for grabs after Micah Richards’ fall from favour, Nedum Onuoha’s fitness problems and Pablo Zabaleta’s unconvincing case to start. The oil-rich Blues have been linked with an £11 million move for Hamburg’sJerome Boateng , but the German international right-back has been more comfortable in the centre this campaign.
With reported interest also coming from Italian giants Inter andJuventus in the past, an excellent World Cup could be the springboard for a summer scramble for his signature.
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
Big-spending City have made their interest known for the highly-rated Van der Wiel, 22, and have been watching him since last year, Hakim Slimani said today.
Arsenal have also reportedly sent their scouts to Ajax to keep an eye on the skilful defender, who has played his way into Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands squad.
Van der Wiel's agent Slimani said: "No club has approached me officially in recent weeks to tell me they are watching Gregory since Manchester City a few months ago, but you hear one or two English clubs are keeping an eye on him. That wouldn't be surprising.
"Gregory is enjoying an excellent season and is playing really well. He is determined to win the title with Ajax and is really happy there."
After switching from centre-back to the flank under previous Ajax manager Marco van Basten, his price tag has soared to an estimated £10 million as he has made his reputation as one of the best young defenders in the game.
Top prospect | Van der Wiel has shone at Ajax
At City, the right-back spot is up for grabs after Micah Richards’ fall from favour, Nedum Onuoha’s fitness problems and Pablo Zabaleta’s unconvincing case to start. The oil-rich Blues have been linked with an £11 million move for Hamburg’s
With reported interest also coming from Italian giants Inter and
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
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