Arsenal Action

[King Malta]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... rs&cc=3436

ulham are reported to have accepted a bid from Manchester United for promising young defender Chris Smalling.

Chris Smalling

GettyImages

Chris Smalling: Highly-rated youngster has attracted the attention of the Premier League's big guns.

Smalling, who impressed on his Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, has only two league appearances under his belt but has played four times in the Europa League for the Cottagers this season.

Arsenal had been heavily linked with the England Under-21 international, but United have made the first move, according to Sky Sports.

It is believed a fee in the region of £8 million would be needed to prise the talented centre back away from Craven Cottage and should he sign for United, he would bolster Sir Alex Ferguson's defensive options, with John O'Shea ruled out for the rest of the season.

Smalling, 21, previously played for Maidstone United and was plying his trade in the Ryman Premier League - the seventh tier of the English football pyramid - only two years ago.

it will be interesting to see how many people slam wenger for not signing him if united do and he turns out to be good

[Deano]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=731476&sec=transfers&cc=3436

ulham are reported to have accepted a bid from Manchester United for promising young defender Chris Smalling.

Chris Smalling

GettyImages

Chris Smalling: Highly-rated youngster has attracted the attention of the Premier League's big guns.

Smalling, who impressed on his Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, has only two league appearances under his belt but has played four times in the Europa League for the Cottagers this season.

Arsenal had been heavily linked with the England Under-21 international, but United have made the first move, according to Sky Sports.

It is believed a fee in the region of £8 million would be needed to prise the talented centre back away from Craven Cottage and should he sign for United, he would bolster Sir Alex Ferguson's defensive options, with John O'Shea ruled out for the rest of the season.

Smalling, 21, previously played for Maidstone United and was plying his trade in the Ryman Premier League - the seventh tier of the English football pyramid - only two years ago.

it will be interesting to see how many people slam wenger for not signing him if united do and he turns out to be good

Oh, how the 'after the event' genius's will vent their fury!

"should have....could have....blaaa.."

[Gaffer]

From Arsenal.com

Arsène Wenger is still in the hunt for Chris Smalling – even though Manchester United have reportedly had a bid accepted for the Fulham defender.

Smalling made his Premier League debut at the end of last season and has played three times for England Under-21s. He has been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium but Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have stolen a march on Wenger.

The Frenchman remained tight-lipped over a possible move for Smalling but he will not give up on the 20-year-old defender until another club has secured his signature.

“It just looks like Manchester United offered more money than us,” replied Wenger when the latest speculation was put to him.

“As long as the player has not signed anywhere it is not the end of it. Let’s see what happens there.

“We will not come out on what we are doing exactly but as you [reporters] say it has come out on television but that doesn’t mean it is true.

“So let’s see. If we have anything more to tell you we will let you know.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... ws+Feed%29

[Sinbad]

Man Utd sign him. Confirmed

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6645696

Reds swoop for Smalling

United have agreed terms with Fulham to sign their England Under-21 international defender Chris Smalling.

The 20-year-old Greenwich-born centre-back will join the Reds from the start of the 2010/11 season.

A club spokesperson told ManUtd.com: "Manchester United has agreed terms for the transfer of Chris Smalling from Fulham. Chris has agreed personal terms with the club and will join for the beginning of the 2010/2011 campaign. He will remain at Fulham until the end of the current season."

An England Under-21 international, Smalling has made just nine first-team appearances for Fulham, who signed him from non-league Maidstone 18 months ago.

After shining in the club’s Reserves, Roy Hodgson handed him his senior debut on the final day of the 2008/09 season. His first start came in September 2009 when Fulham travelled to CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Cup, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw. Hodgson said: “If you analysed his performance, he played with a maturity I'm not entitled to expect from a player so young.”

Smalling earned an England U21 debut in November last year and a first league start, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, six weeks later.

[Sinbad]

I wonder why wenger went public and spoke about this player before we signed him?
No doubt thats why Man Utd stepped up and rushed the deal.

I also find it weird that Man Utd can do a deal for a player in one day and it takes us WEEKS

[The Fabster]

I also find it weird that Man Utd can do a deal for a player in one day and it takes us WEEKS

Agree with this. Otherwise I'm not too bothered about Smalling.

I'm not so much worried about losing the player, but how Wenger goes about his transfer dealings. I mean for f##k sake, this stubborn obstinacy almost meant we lost Arshavin.

When was the last time we beat a big club to the signing of a big player (No, youngsters do not count)?

[Sinbad]

I just dont understand Arsenal FC and Wenger.

Wenger tells the world that "We dont talk about future transfers" and then comes out and says we wants this player and we are looking at him. That tells every other club that were looking at this same player to speed up the deal as Man Utd did. in one day they had a bid accepted and agreed terms with the player. Thats how its done. Not 5 weeks on Nasri and 4 weeks right up till the last hr to sign Arshavin.

When it comes to signing players Arsenal are a joke.

The selling club want a fee, lets just say £5m, Arsenal offer £1.25m but this could go up 2 £2.5m if we win the double. Selling club reject, Arsenal them come back and bid £3.5m..Selling club in the meantime get a big of £4m from a different club and accept.

Arsenal faff about far 2 much and yet one more transfer window will pass the promised so much and ended up with nothing

[Dial Square]

Wenger - We're sorry to have missed Smalling

Arsène Wenger says he is sorry to have missed out on the signing of Fulham defender Chris Smalling.

According to the manager Arsenal came "very close" to capturing the Englishman, but says the most important thing is that the 20-year-old enjoys a successful career.

The London-born defender joined Fulham from non-league side Maidstone United in June 2008 and made his first-team debut against Everton at the end of last season. Smalling has been capped three times by England Under-21s and has made four appearances for Fulham so far this term.

Wenger recently confirmed his interest in signing the defender, but was left disappointed when he completed a move to Manchester United on Thursday afternoon.

"I am sorry because we were very close to getting him," said the manager "We were on the case very early.

"I wish the player well. At the end of the day it is important he has a good career. In both clubs he has a good chance to make a great career. The most important thing is he does that."
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... ws+Feed%29

[Curt.B]

"I am sorry because we were very close to getting him," said the manager

"We were very close to thinking about getting him."

[Deano]

I wonder why wenger went public and spoke about this player before we signed him?
No doubt thats why Man Utd stepped up and rushed the deal.

I also find it weird that Man Utd can do a deal for a player in one day and it takes us WEEKS

Did it EVER occur to you that a) the PLAYER may have wanted to go to Man Utd instead of Arsenal? or b) Wenger just didn't give a toss?

Did it also not occur to you that if Wenger truly wanted this players services he'd have more than likely kept his gob shut about it?

All I can say is Man Utd must think alot of Wengers opinion when in the event him dropping a name, they immediately go and sign the player on that strength! Fergie must think he's god. Great logic