N'Zogbia Wants Arsenal Move

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Newcastle United midfielder Charles N'Zogbia has stated once again that he wishes to leave St James’ Park in January, with the Frenchman expressing a desire to stay in the Premier League and admitting that Arsenal would be his preferred destination.

22-year-old N’Zogbia is reportedly a target for Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, with Premiership rivals Aston Villa along with Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain also linked with a move for the French Under-21 International.

N’Zogbia has become disillusioned with events at the North East club in recent months and is desperate for a move away from the Toon in order to win trophies and realise his ambition of playing for the senior French side. N’Zogbia, who joined Newcastle as an 18-year-old from the Le Havre youth side four-years ago has also claimed that the Magpies are willing to let him leave St James’ Park, should the right offer come along.

“I am used to English Football, so my priority is to stay here,” N'Zogbia told Le 10 Sport.

“France? I don't know it very well! But I think about it. I don't have any contact with French clubs, or any other clubs.

“I ask myself questions about my future. At Newcastle for three years we are playing in the bottom of the league. I want to win titles, and I have set myself high objectives, like being in the French team.

“I told Newcastle in case of possible transfer, I will do anything to leave this winter. If the club receives a nice offer, they will try to transfer me."

“Arsenal is the club that makes me dream the most in the Premier League.

“Lyon is a very, very good club. PSG is currently in a very good period.

“If I could have to be transferred there, I would have no regret. It would be a good choice.

“But Anyway, I am at Newcastle so far. I give my best for that club, which gave me my start in professional football.”

Newcastle To Swoop For French Teenager Sakho?

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is planning to swoop for Paris St Germain’s teenage defender Mamadou Sakho, when the transfer window reopens in January, according to The People.

The Magpies have already been linked with 18-year-old Sakho last April, with previous Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan keen on bringing the versatile defender to St James’ Park. With new boss Kinnear now reportedly ready to reignite the Premier League clubs interest in Sakho, who has already captained PSG making him the youngest captain in Ligue 1 history aged 17.

Newcastle are understood to have sent scouts to watch Sakho in action against Dutch side FC Twente in the UEFA Cup last week, with scouts from other Premiership clubs also at the game to watch the defender that can play as right-back or as a central defender.

Sakho has come through the youth system at PSG, joining the club as an 11-year-old and making his senior debut in 2007, with the defender, who is valued at around £6million already making 20 appearances for PSG during his fledgling career at the Parc des Princes.

Newcastle have already got French defender Sebastien Bassong at St James’ Park, who was a summer signing from FC Metz and should they follow up their initial interest in Sakho, will hope that the teenager can settle into the rigours of the Premier league as quickly as Bassong has at the Toon.

Everton Look To Pancrate To Ease Striker Crisis

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Everton manager David Moyes has been linked with a move for Paris St Germain striker Fabrice Pancrate in the January transfer window, with the Toffees boss desperately in need of some more firepower upfront at Goodison Park due to injuries.

The Merseyside club face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison, but Moyes only has one fit striker in Victor Anichebe available, with Yakubu and James Vaughan both out with long-term injuries and summer signing Louis Saha suffering from persistent hamstring problems.



28-year-old Pancrate had been a summer target for Premiership debutantes Hull City and could leave PSG on loan in January or for a modest fee of around £1million due to his present deal at the Parc des Princes running out at the end of the season.

Pancrate has been at PSG since joining from Ligue 1 rivals Le Mans in 2004 and has made 68 league appearances for the French side. However, Pancrate is not what you would call a natural goalscorer and has only scored 9 goals in the French top-flight for PSG since he left Le Mans, with the striker spending a short loan spell at La Liga side Real Betis in 2007.

Moyes is also reportedly interested in Manchester City summer signing Jo, who has struggled to make an impact at the Eastlands Stadium since his move from CSKA Moscow. However, it is understood that while City manager Mark Hughes may let the Brazilian International go out on loan. Hughes would be reluctant to loan Jo to another Premier League club.

Distin: Arsenal Wanted Me

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Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin has revealed that he was the subject of an approach by Premier League rivals Arsenal, but has insisted the enquiry by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was “nothing serious” and that the North London club were just checking on his situation at Fratton Park.

30-year-old Distin has also revealed that he is happy in the Premiership after arriving at Newcastle United on loan in 2001, with the central defender admitting that he didn’t think he would stay in England for more than a season.

However, Distin is now in his eighth year in the Premier League, with the Frenchman joining Manchester City in 2002 before arriving at Pompey in 2007. While Distin is happy at Portsmouth he did reveal that former club Paris St Germain has a special place in his heart and if he were to return to play in France it could only be for PSG.

When asked if a move from Portsmouth to the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal had been a possibility, Distin told Foot Mercato: “There was nothing serious, just an approach in order to know what my situation was, but no serious offer.

“PSG remain in my heart, they are the club that made me grow and that educated me. If tomorrow I am to return to France, my priority will be Paris.

“The club have strengthened and are capable of beating anybody this season. I wish we played against them in the UEFA Cup!

“I really feel French but I am good in England. I arrived here by chance, for a loan with Newcastle.

“I never thought I would stay more than a season but it went well and I did stay. From now on, my career is here and I cannot see myself moving elsewhere.

“A year and a half ago, I was a free agent and two French clubs that I will not name contacted me. They just wanted information and there was nothing concrete.

“Anyway England was always my priority. I am not missing France, apart from the food and the weather (laughs). And here I am esteemed, so why leaving?

“And I will not lie, money plays an important part. So returning to France would be tough. I never said I want to leave, I am just not sure of the club’s economic situation.”

Distin also revealed that he was “disappointed” that Harry Redknapp left Portsmouth for Tottenham Hotspur in October and that Redknapp had not told him he was leaving to take charge at White Hart Lane, but insisted that you have to move on.

“Personally, Redknapp disappointed me because he did not tell us about his departure,” Distin added.

“Some players realised he had gone by watching TV in the evening or the morning after, just before the game. Then you have to move on.”

Anelka: Arsenal Fans Made Me Quit Highbury

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Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has claimed that the reason behind him leaving Arsenal for Real Madrid in 1999 after only two-years at Highbury was due to what the French International perceived as a lack of appreciation from the fans at the North London club.

The Gunners were stunned when Anelka left Arsenal for La Liga giants Real in a £23million deal after scoring 22 goals for Arsenal that season. This was after helping Arsenal to a Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998, Anelka’s debut season in the Premiership after his switch from Paris St Germain in 1997.

Anelka has now claimed that he was furious after a poll by Gunners fans in 1998 thought he was not the forward to fill the boots of Arsenal legend Ian Wright at the North London club.

Anelka told the News of the World: “When I started the season there was a poll because I had taken the place of Ian Wright.

“I thought the fans really wanted it to be me and were pleased with me. But seeing the result in the papers and on TV hit me hard because I had done things for nothing.

Anelka went on to reveal that he had planned his exit from Arsenal to spite the Gunners fans and went through with his plan, despite being named PFA Young Player of the Year in his final season at Arsene Wenger’s side.

“I thought 'So that's how it is. This is how you thank me. Okay now you watch what is going to happen. I am going to play, score my goals and just when you are saying Anelka, Anelka that's when I'm going to leave,” Anelka continued.

"And that is exactly what I did because I was furious with them."

However, Anelka did concede that telling Wenger he wanted to leave Arsenal was one of the hardest things he has had to do, with the Frenchman saying that the Arsenal manager represented something extraordinary in his life.

He added: “I am not saying I was ashamed, but I felt something and had no wish to tell him face to face that I wanted to go.

“It's as if it was a betrayal. I didn't want to tell him because he represented someone extraordinary in my life.”

Marseille, PSG, Lyon Or Bordeaux To Offer Arsenal Outcast Gallas Way Out?

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Olympique Marseille along with Bordeaux, Olympique Lyonnais and Paris St Germain could offer French International a way out of Arsenal when the transfer window reopens in January. With 31-year-old Gallas being suspended and stripped of the captains armband at the North London club following comments made to the media on Friday.

Gallas has already declared a desire to return to France, with Marseille along with Lyon, PSG or Bordeaux his preferred destination.

“It's true that I'd like to return to France for one or perhaps two seasons to finish my career," Gallas is quoted as saying in Times Online.

“But if I go, it won't be to just anywhere. I'd go to a big club or nowhere at all. The choices look simple to me - it would be Marseilles, Lyon, PSG or, let's not forget, Bordeaux. PSG are a massive club and known everywhere."

This process could now be speeded up in light of recent events at the Emirates Stadium, with a family member of Gallas claiming that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told Gallas he can leave.

The family member told The Sun: “Arsene told him 'If you don't want to be in my team then just go. You are free to leave'.

"He's had the captaincy taken away and has also been suspended from the team.

"Of course, he's totally devastated about what's happened and is now wondering what to do next.

"He simply doesn't know what will happen to him. He's very down."

With his Arsenal future in doubt the Ligue 1 sides would be able to lure Gallas away from the Premier League for a modest fee, with Wenger reportedly ready to offload the defender in January.

Gallas has already played for Marseille between 1997 and 2001 before joining Chelsea, making 111 league appearances during his time at the Stade Velodrome, but has singled out Bordeaux coach former Manchester United player Laurent Blanc as a good guy to lead you.

Gallas said: “As far as Bordeaux, I really like the club and the region. I was a Jean Tigana fan when he played for Bordeaux. Their coach now is Laurent Blanc who I've never played for but who knows football off by heart and must be a good guy to lead you.”

Arsenal To Beat Sunderland To Landreau In Fabianski Swap Deal?

Arsenal could beat Sunderland to French International Mickael Landreau after reports claiming that the goalkeeper’s current club Paris St Germain are keen to lure Gunners reserve keeper Lukasz Fabianski away from the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is understood to be willing to let Polish International Fabianski leave the North London club, with the 23-year-old keeper unhappy at his lack of opportunities at the Gunners since his transfer from Legia Warsaw in 2007.

Wenger however, will not let Fabianski leave Arsenal without finding a suitable replacement and was linked with a shock move for 29-year-old Landreau by the French press recently. Which throws up the possibility of some form of swap deal between the two clubs.

PSG value Landreau in the region of £2million and he is considered one of the best keepers in Ligue 1, with a big reputation as a penalty specialist, having saved over 30 in his career to date with Nantes and PSG.

Any move by Arsenal is sure to anger Black Cats boss Roy Keane, who has targeted Landreau as the goalkeeper to replace Scottish International Craig Gordon at the Stadium of Light, but with PSG’s interest in Fabianski and Wenger’s admiration of Landreau then it could be London and not the North East where Landreau ply’s his trade in the Premier League come January.

Almunia To Be Shown Emirates Exit As Arsenal Line Up Shock Move For Ligue 1 Keeper?

Arsenal are ready to make a shock January move for goalkeeper Mickael Landreau at Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain, with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger ready to replace current keeper Manuel Almunia, according to reports in France.

29-year-old Landreau has been at PSG since joining from Nantes in 2006 and is considered one of the best keepers in France, with Landreau a penalty-kick specialist, having saved over 30 during his career at Nantes and PSG.

Wenger has been keeping an eye on Landreau since last season, but decided to give Almunia his chance at the Emirates Stadium following the departure of German International Jens Lehmann to VfB Stuttgart in the summer.

However, Wenger is understood to have some concerns over his Spanish keeper after recent performances, with the Frenchman not convinced that Almunia is up to the task in the Premier League for the long-term and has drawn up a list of possible replacements, with the PSG stopper topping it.

Landreau has two-years left to run on his contract at the Parc des Princes and could be available for as little as £2million when the transfer window reopens in January, should Wenger decide to follow up his initial interest in the keeper.