Ljungberg and Flamini the big names to go in Arsenal shake-up

Premiership

Thursday, May 17, 2007

By Jason Burt

Arsenal will offer Fredrik Ljungberg a free transfer this summer as the manager, Arsène Wenger, re-shapes his squad. Despite having two years left on his contract - he has only just turned 30 - the Swedish midfielder heads a list of players who are not prominent in Wenger's plans.

Ljungberg is likely to be offered for nothing if a club is prepared to pick up his £70,000-a-week wages. Another stumbling block to any move is that he does not want to leave Arsenal although, as captain of Sweden, he will be concerned at how his limited opportunities will affect his international career.

West Ham inquired about Ljungberg, who has suffered several injuries, in January and said they would pay his present salary but received little encouragement. However, having avoided relegation, that may change although they are believed to not be so interested in the player as they were. The Swede has also been linked with a move to Italy.

In addition to Ljungberg, Arsenal will lose Mathieu Flamini. The Frenchman has failed to secure a regular midfield place and, having informed Wenger he does not want to play in defence, he is also keen not to be just a squad player at the Emirates. Similarly Jérémie Aliadière, who was close to moving to Middlesbrough in January, is keen to find regular first-team football.

Wenger would like to welcome back Jose Antonio Reyes but accepts that, despite an unsuccessful loan spell at Real Madrid, the winger wants to stay in Spain. So far there have been no takers from La Liga clubs, with Atletico Madrid among those who have turned down the chance to sign him. A final decision has also been taken on Julio Baptista - the signs are that the option to secure him on a permanent contract will not be taken up.

There are also serious question marks over the futures of Alexandre Song and Kerrea Gilbert, who have returned from loan spells at Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City respectively, but may struggle to make much impression on the first team.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia will seek assurances from Wenger following the signing of the Polish international Lukasz Fabianski and may seek a move. Already departed are Fabrice Muamba, who has joined Birmingham City for up to £4m, and Arturo Lupoli, who moved to Fiorentina on a free transfer.

Wenger has made clear that he wants to sign two top-class players for his squad and one of these will undoubtedly be a striker. His interest in Ajax's Ryan Babel, available for £6m, has cooled while a long-running pursuit of Marseilles' Franck Ribery may not happen because of the large fee. Price may also prohibit any attempt to sign Barcelona's unsettled Samuel Eto'o, who has already attracted an enquiry from Manchester United, even if Wenger hopes to "create money" by letting some players leave to augment his budget.

An intriguing addition could be the 19-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder Renato, who plays for Flamengo and has been tracked by Arsenal, and other clubs, for some time. Wenger is also, however, setting much store on the return from injury of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie, who both missed much of this season.