Arsenal and Liverpool target Moussa Sow has reached an agreement with Fenerbahce and will be leaving Lille for a fee of around €10-13m. Sow’s new deal will keep him at the Turkish club until 2015 and will finally put an end to the speculation that had linked him to the Premier League for months. It’s also yet another player from an impressive Lille side who has made a move to another club (the list includes Sow, Gervinho, Cabaye, Park Chu-Young and will likely include Eden Hazard by the end of the summer transfer window).
I’m surprised that neither Arsenal nor Liverpool made a real concerted effort to sign Sow. He scored 25 Ligue 1 goals last season as he lead his side to the title and could have added firepower to two sides in desperate need in this department. Instead it’s Fenerbache who won his signature without having to fight very hard. In the end it was all too easy and the Turkish side were able to pick up a genuine bargain.
But why didn’t Arsenal and Liverpool fight harder?
Can the Gunners really afford to rely on Chamakh and Park Chu-Young (who isn’t even getting games) to get them goals? Sow would have felt like a quintessential Wenger signing – somebody with a French link who doesn’t come at a rip-off price but does come with some pedigree. Unfortunately the chance is gone and Arsenal will have to look elsewhere if they are to continue their search at all.
As for Liverpool, their need wont be quite so pressing once Luis Suarez has returned from his ban in February, but they could still use reinforcements in this area. With Andy Carroll misfiring and Craig Bellamy utilised more as a winger, they’ve struggled for goals in recent times. Moussa Sow is a natural goal-scorer and could have helped in this department.
As things stand neither club are guaranteed a fourth place finish and could do with making tweaks to their squad in order to make this happen. Arsenal’s apathetic attitude in the transfer market is particularly disappointing. I can only wonder how many more opportunities will slip through Arsene Wenger’s hands before he realises he needs to take genuine action if his side are going to achieve anything in this season and the seasons to follow.
Is missing out on Moussa Sow a big loss? Should Arsenal and Liverpool be looking elsewhere or should they just make do? Please let us know in the comments section below.
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Park Chu Young moved from AS Monaco.
You clearly know a lot about football, why not give Kenny and Arsene a bell.
wenger is a frude he need to be sack we need oil arab man to come and buy arsenal off.