Flamini

[Shaggy]

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has claimed that Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini is on the verge of signing for the Italian club.

"Flamini will arrive tonight in Milan and will sign a four-year contract," he said after Sunday's 2-1 win over Inter.

The French midfielder's contract with the Gunners expires at the end of this season - and manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is wary Flamini will leave.

The 24-year-old is expected to undergo a medical at the San Siro on Monday.

Despite the offer of a new five-year deal from Arsenal, Flamini's future remains unresolved and both AC Milan and Juventus are reported to have been tracking the France international.

Following Arsenal's 1-0 win over Everton on Sunday, the Gunners' last home game of the season, Wenger conceded that he was not "super-confident" Flamini would still be with the club next season.

"Frankly, I don't know [if he is staying]," said Wenger.

"But if you ask me was I overall super-confident, I would say no. He has an offer on the table which is valid until tomorrow [Monday], then we will see.

"We have done what we had to do, it is now down to him to make a decision.

"My ideal solution is that he stays, so I am not happy if he goes - but we've done everything we can.

"We can't wait until July. You could lose players if they come on the market."

Meanwhile, Milan club owner Silvio Berlusconi has cast fresh doubt over the potential signing of Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

"I have always been doubtful over whether Ronaldinho is needed, at this point I really think we don't need him," he said.

The Italian club has agreed terms with the 28-year-old Brazilian playmaker but failed to settle on a mutually satisfactory transfer fee with Barcelona during preliminary talks.

[Johnny]

I think its weird that Flamini has been on the fringes of the side for a few years and when he really showed what he can do in midfield, he decides to jump ship.

Something is wrong at Arsenal I think.

Or maybe Aresnils wage structure will see a load of their players jump ship for real money.They only have 10 yrs at the top to make it onto "Cribs"

[MrsB]

Flamini's excellent on the ball mate, ok he's hardly a Alonso or Scholes but he does it very well, if we could get him in for free it would be a good deal.

The only thing Barry has over him is his English passport and set pieces.

Flamini has had one good season playing alongside an outstanding Fabregas. Barry has been excellent for years, although nobody noticed it because he was playing for a poor Villa side. I know who I prefer.

[Parm]

Flamini has had one good season playing alongside an outstanding Fabregas. Barry has been excellent for years, although nobody noticed it because he was playing for a poor Villa side. I know who I prefer.

Yup, Flamini has been a good player this season, but a tad overrated.

[leftpeg]

Or maybe Aresnils wage structure will see a load of their players jump ship for real money.They only have 10 yrs at the top to make it onto "Cribs"

I imagine this has a lot to do with it.

[Joe King]

Hleb is being offered 10 times what he is currently getting at Arsenal from Inter

[Craig_H]

Worth £12m?

Its the only thing Barry excels at. He's quite a mediocre player outside of that.

Are we signing him just because he's Gerrard's mate?

That's nonsense.

[dww]

The loss of Flamini to Arsenal will be a huge blow. Especially if the fans shareholders are correct in their analysis of the teams finances as they indicated recently that they see there being around £25m available to buy players. I guess they will have to hope one of Denilson, Diaby or Song (although he appears to have matured into a CB) will step up in the way Flamini did this season.

[Shaggy]

Diaby is the target for Arsenal’s boo-boys so you suspect he’d have to make great strides.

From the little I’ve seen of Denilson, he looks capable of making the step up but he’s a different sort of player to Flamini.

Definitely a huge blow for the Gooners.

Hleb next…likely to be replaced by Kranjcar, which would make perfect sense.

[dww]

I think Kranjcar would at this stage be a big step down in class from Hleb. I guess he still has potential but he hasn't shown a lot of guile for me. I know others rate him much more highly and may have seen him in international football more than I have.

Diaby like Flamini before him seems to not have had a settled place and it has affected him. I think at times he has looked like an outstanding prospect. I would say he is a better balanced player than Denilson. Although the latter is still very young and does as you say look to have a lot of talent. I agree with you that he wouldn't be a one for one replacement for Flamini.

[Parm]

guess these guys dont quite have the love for the club as Arsene would have you think. All this fantasy footbal rubbish that they play just isnt enough for them now?
Arsenal look like they will lose a lot of talent and experience this summer (Lehamn,Hlb.Gilberto,flamini) with Van Persie a bit injury prone, Adebayor may turn out to be a one season wonder (esp given his poor record of late) and Walcott, well he has his flaws but will he work on them enough to realise his potential as say Fabregras has done? Gallas at captain is not working and I dont know if Cesc could handle that added pressure. It will be an interesting summer for them, I do think they got lucky last year and were able to use the negative press to insprie them, but ultimately it was all style and no substance.

[PTP]

defo something strange happening at arsenal - but i have wrote this *******s off every pre season cause they don't have the 'squad' to compete yet they always **** me off and do well so i a'nt saying anything

strange tho - with flamini going, hleb unhappy, reports that real madrid will do whatever possible to sign cesc fabregas,lehmann finished and alumnia not exactly great, is this there fourth season without a trophy??? - going to be as tough and long a summer for them than it is us

[wiw]

Interesting one Arsenal, not sure what's going on but something aint right. Nice to see really, being at Essex uni, i've had nothing but smug, crowing Arsenal mates for the most of this season. Get back in your place you ****s

[Imy]

defo something strange happening at arsenal - but i have wrote this *******s off every pre season cause they don't have the 'squad' to compete yet they always **** me off and do well so i a'nt saying anything

strange tho - with flamini going, hleb unhappy, reports that real madrid will do whatever possible to sign cesc fabregas,lehmann finished and alumnia not exactly great, is this there fourth season without a trophy??? - going to be as tough and long a summer for them than it is us

Flamini i believe has been their best player this season, when he got substituted vs us in the Champions League thats when we really took control of the game.

He's going to be a BIG miss for the, i wonder who they've got lined up to replace him?

[dww]

guess these guys dont quite have the love for the club as Arsene would have you think. All this fantasy footbal rubbish that they play just isnt enough for them now?
Arsenal look like they will lose a lot of talent and experience this summer (Lehamn,Hlb.Gilberto,flamini) with Van Persie a bit injury prone, Adebayor may turn out to be a one season wonder (esp given his poor record of late) and Walcott, well he has his flaws but will he work on them enough to realise his potential as say Fabregras has done? Gallas at captain is not working and I dont know if Cesc could handle that added pressure. It will be an interesting summer for them, I do think they got lucky last year and were able to use the negative press to insprie them, but ultimately it was all style and no substance.

I agree that Arsenal could be in a really difficult position. I think all the players last season stayed one more to see how the squad would grow/progress but this season convinced them that they need more money spent to make them compete to win the PL or CL.

I think Gilberto will stay - he seemed confident of doing so in an interview I saw recently - talking about next preseason at Arsenal and the like. I think you have to trust Wengers ability to guide Walcott and Adebeyor (in the latters case I think he may not be a regular big scorer in the style of Torres but will add a lot to the team in link play as well as goals - they need another forward though).

The real worry is the lack of leadership in the squad at a time when they will need to replace at least one key player from a footballing perspective when Wenger wasn't planning on it. Previous big moves like Vieira and Henry he has clearly planned for in advance but I don't think he saw the Flamini thing coming.

Hleb's loss is a big one but I think Wenger has consistently bought in good players in those type of positions and has Rosicky and Walcott who are far from terrible to start with.