File this one under ‘ridiculous’: according to the Daily Star, Arsene Wenger is ‘keen’ on Manchester United mainstay (and ex-Tottenham star, no less) Michael Carrick. The source even goes as far as to claim that both Arsenal and Turkish side Galatasaray have failed with ‘cheeky’ bids to ‘pinch’ Carrick.
Cheeky? Maybe. Absurd? Definitely!
The Star notes that Wenger is a long-term admirer of the holding midfielder and has tried to snap him up twice before. That could well be true, but it’s also worth noting that Arsene Wenger is not a stupid man. Quite the opposite, in fact.
He knows exactly how much Michael Carrick is worth to Manchester United. He was the Red Devils most consistent player last season. Indeed, his quick short passes, intelligent play and expert reading of the game secured him a nomination for Premier League Player of the Year.
With David Moyes new in the job, he’ll be desperate to keep hold of the players he knows can do a good job. It’s also worth noting that Manchester United are thought to be on the hunt for a creative midfielder this summer. As such, they’re hardly likely to want to lose somebody with the play-making ability of Michael Carrick.
What’s more, Carrick is 31-years-old. He’s certainly no spring-chicken. Arsene Wenger is a man who is known to only offer 30+ players a one-year extension, regardless of their skill or ability. This potential deal just doesn’t seem to check out.
Forget the Tottenham links. There’s so much more besides that suggests this deal will never happen. I thought I’d seen it all when Arsenal picked up a link to Gareth Barry earlier this summer, but The Star have just topped it.
They call it silly season for a reason, but this particular transfer rumour seems to have upped the ante in a big way.
Arsenal have also been linked to Marouane Fellaini, Lars Bender and Cesc Fabregas this summer. All three players are entering their peaks and all three would make excellent additions to this Arsenal side.
The only way to end the nonsense is to start signing players and filling the gaps within the squad. The sooner this is done the better. Then and only then, can the Gunners move on and start planning for their future.
What’s your take? Could Arsenal really be in the market for Michael Carrick? Who else should they be looking at this summer?
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