Friday, 26th August, 2011
Marseille have told Arsenal to forget about signing Andre Ayew, Mathieu Valbuena or Lucho Gonzalez after the clubs were drawn together in the Champions League.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger failed with a loan swoop for Gonzalez last weekend and Marseille expect the Frenchman to return before the end of the transfer window.
Wenger is also a confirmed admirer of both Ayew and Valbuena, and has been linked with bids for both as he attempts to rebuild a midfield that has lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
But being drawn with Marseille in the Champions League has scuppered any chance of the Gunners being able to raid the Stade Velodrome according to the French club’s sporting director Jose Anigo.
Questioned on Arsenal’s interest in Marseille’s players, with specific reference to Gonzalez, Angio is certain the Champions League draw makes it impossible anything could happen now.
"It is not possible to release a player to Arsenal and then meet them in the Champions League", said Anigo to RMC.
The news will be a blow to Wenger as he considers a series of forays into the transfer market before the window closes.
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