Gunners’ transfer saga enters endgame

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger intends to resolve the futures of wantaway captain Cesc Fabregas and contract rebel Samir Nasri “very quickly”.

Barcelona initially saw a £27 million (€31m) offer rebuffed earlier in the summer, as Arsenal remained steadfast in their demands over a £40m (€45m) fee for their captain.

However, with the European champions not willing to significantly up their cash bid, and Wenger admitting the player was unsettled, it now appears as if Arsenal will have to allow the deal to go through for less than they had wanted.

Reports have suggested a deal — understood to include a down payment of £27m, with an additional £5.2m in performance-based add-ons — will be pushed through ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League opener at Newcastle.

Wenger confirmed last night: “That is completely the truth. We hope it will be sorted out very quickly one way or the other. We will know very quickly.”

Nasri, meanwhile, has yet to pen a new deal, and so could leave for nothing next summer. Manchester City are reported to be ready to bid up to £25m for the France midfielder.

Wenger said: “The Nasri situation is stable. Again it is very difficult to speak about possible transfers, but we are in a situation where we have to make decisions one way or the other.

“Ideally you want it to be sorted out before the season starts.”

Meanwhile Liverpool’s search for a new left-back appear to be over with the club on the verge of completing a deal for Newcastle defender Jose Enrique.

The 25-year-old has been on manager Kenny Dalglish’s radar for some time but the two sides have only just agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £6m (€6.8m).

Enrique arrived at the Reds’ Melwood training ground yesterday afternoon for his medical and to discuss personal terms, with a conclusion to the transfer expected today.

Elsewhere Championship side Ipswich Town are expected to complete the signing of Republic of Ireland international Keith Andrews on a six-month loan from Blackburn Rovers this morning. The deal is likely to be sealed in time for the 30-year-old to make his debut against former club Hull at Portman Road tomorrow.

Tractor Boys boss Paul Jewell is delighted to be making what is his eighth summer addition to his squad.

“I’ve been really impressed with him when I’ve spoken to him. He’s a leader, he’s tough, he’s an international player and he’s hungry, having been injured quite a bit last season,” he said.

“He scored 16 goals one year for the MK Dons when they got promoted. He’s played at this level, he’s played above this level and I’ve been really impressed by his determination to come to Ipswich.”