Arsenal gunning for Squillaci

Sebastien Squillaci
12 April 2012

Arsenal look set to strengthen their defence with the signing of France international Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla, after the Spanish club confirmed an offer had been received for the centre-half.

The Gunners are short of experienced cover at the back, having seen out-of-contract veterans William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre all leave in the summer.

Squillaci, 30, asked to be left out of Sevilla's Champions League play-off against Braga on Thursday night to avoid being cup-tied, and a statement on the Sevilla website read: "Sebastien Squillaci's future is in the air. As was confirmed by sporting director Ramon Rodriguez at the airport in Porto, the club have received an offer from Arsenal."

The former Lyon defender is rated at around £6.5million, but it remains uncertain whether Arsenal have matched that valuation.

Arsenal have already invested in the defence this summer, signing promising centre-back Laurent Koscielny in a £10million deal from Lorient.

Koscielny had an eventful Barclays Premier League debut against Liverpool, being the subject of a late challenge from Joe Cole which earned the new Liverpool midfielder a straight red card, before later receiving his marching orders following two yellow cards which rules him out of Saturday's home game against Blackpool.

Any deal for Squillaci, though, appears unlikely to be pushed through in time for him to play at the weekend.

"The player asked not to play because of the offer from such a big team but, for the moment, we believe the offer is insufficient and Squillaci is still a Sevilla player," said Rodriguez, quoted in Spanish newspaper Marca, following the 1-0 defeat in Portugal.

Sevilla are said to have called an emergency board meeting, as they discus the offer, which could hinge on whether they can bring in a replacement before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Arsenal are also said to be keen to sign an experienced goalkeeper and have been linked with both Australian stopper Mark Schwarzer and Republic of Ireland international Shay Given.

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