Wenger closes in on Stuttgart's Hleb in €15m deal

ARSENAL are poised to complete their first major signing of the summer as Belarus midfielder Aleksander Hleb agreed to join them in a deal worth up to €15million.

The long-term deal, which is subject to a medical and a work permit, has been finalised with Stuttgart and the versatile midfielder.

Boss Arsene Wenger, who is still tracking Brazilian striker Robinho but has allowed reserve goalkeeper Stuart Taylor to join Aston Villa, declared: "We are delighted that Aleksander Hleb has agreed to join us.

"He is a player that I have admired for some time now and I know he will provide our squad with great quality. He has proved his ability with his performances in the Bundesliga and he definitely has the potential to do very well with Arsenal."

Hleb said: "I am very happy to have this fantastic opportunity to join Arsenal. They are a club with a great history and many world-class players."

The 24-year-old, who has made 137 appearances in five years at the Stuttgart club and has 18 caps for Belarus, already has some Champions League experience, having played in all eight of the club's matches in the 2003/04 competition.

However, Stuttgart sports director Herbert Briem revealed: "Alex really wanted to be transferred to Arsenal. We had a few demands to accept a trade and those were met as of today. We would have loved to see Alex in our team next year but this transfer gives us new perspectives."

Wenger had previously insisted he was not looking to directly replace midfielder Edu, who has already left for Valencia, and so Hleb's arrival will inevitably place even greater focus on the future of Robert Pires.

However, Wenger maintains he had no intention of losing either Pires, Thierry Henry or Patrick Vieira, who is now being coveted by Juventus.

Wenger instead wants to further strengthen his squad, with Arsenal still tracking Robinho - even if the Santos striker, who was watched in action at the Confederations Cup tournament by the Frenchman, had looked to be on his way to Real Madrid.

Robinho's agent, Juan Figer, revealed: "He is a player very much in demand and his price has gone up in recent weeks. It is true that Arsenal are interested, but it's not a question of it being a race. The fact is Real Madrid have an advantage.

"There is an agreement between Real Madrid and Robinho, but he has a contract with Santos and he has become a state matter in Brazil."

Figer, who owns 40% of Robinho's rights, warned that Santos, who own the remaining 60%, could hold out for more money than the estimated €17m so far offered by Madrid.

Wenger is still willing to release striker Jeremie Aliadiere on a one-year loan, with Celtic interested along with Blackburn, Manchester City, West Ham, Lyon and Lille.

But while Wenger hopes the France U21 international, who was plagued by injury last term, has a long-term future at Arsenal, reserve keeper Stuart Taylor is leaving for Aston Villa.

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