Gunners may swoop for Essien

Arsenal may be forced to splash out £16m (€22.8m) on Ghanaian Lyon star Mickael Essien to bolster their midfield ranks and ensure they are not beaten in the race for his signature.

Highbury manager Arsene Wenger is waiting for developments on the futures of Brazilian duo Edu and Gilberto. Gilberto has a back injury which has already kept him out since late September and could finish the rest of his season, while Edu is refusing to sign a new contract.