Arsenal Transfer News: Holtby Wants Arsenal Move; Rondon Targeted by Wenger

Jun 07, 2012 01:16 AM EDT

Schalke's German midfielder Lewis Holtby hailed Arsenal as a great team and said he would like to play for the Gunners one day.

Holtby has an English father and has therefore been linked with a move to the English Premier League for quite some time. Comfortable on the ball, the 21-year-old would fit quite well with Arsenal's style of play.
Holtby, who was ruled out for Germany's Euro 2012 campaign due to injury, told talkSPORT, while he was happy at Schalke, he could see himself in the Premier League in the near future.

"I always said that my aim was to come to the Premier League one day because I love the league and my father is English.

"Some of my favorite teams are Everton and Arsenal so you never know.

"It (an Arsenal move) would be a massive move because in soccer terms they have always been my favorite.

"They play nice one touch soccer, offensive and with young players and a nice stadium so it's a nice club. But for now my thoughts are with Schalke and you never know.

"My agent is there for that, I am here to play soccer. I love playing soccer, I love winning trophies and that is my dedication and that is my life."

Arsenal are also reportedly keeping any eye on Malaga forward Salomon Rondon. With Marouane Chamakah and Park Ju-Young expected to leave the Emirates this season, Wenger has made a buying a striker to support Robin Van Persie, a priority, and Spanish media have suggested Wenger has already made enquiries about Rondon's availability.

It is understood that Arsenal have scouted the Venezuelan 22-year-old for 18 months and might now be ready to make a move. Malaga, however, are reportedly ready to rival Arsenal for Olivier Giroud with Queens Park Rangers also interested.

Arsenal and Liverpool target, Luuk de Jong has said he has not had contact from any club. De Jong, who is with the Dutch national squad for Euro 21012, said: "For now I will assume that I'll just stay at Twente, or there must be something very attractive for me to leave. Then I'll consider it."

According to RMC Sport, two clubs have made contact with Rennes for Yann M'Vila. While the names of the clubs were not revealed, Arsenal have been leading the chase for the midfielder.

Meanwhile, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said Alisher Usmanov, who owns nearly 30% of the club, would not get a seat on the board.

"I don't think for Mr Usmanov and anyone else out there that we should pump money into the football club," the American was quoted as saying in the Telegraph. "We don't think that is healthy or for the good of the game.

"When I arrived three-and-half years ago there had been a lot of changes on the board and some degree of conflict. Since then we have worked hard to ensure the board is unified and has a common purpose. In terms of any further additions to the board it is important we don't disturb that unity and don't create conflict."

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