Players Abroad of Friday, 11 March 2005
Source: tribalfootball.com
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to splash out on Lyon midfield ace Mickael Essien.
The Independent says Wenger has been promised a transfer budget of ?40m in the summer and, after the disappointments of this season, looks set to spend it with his long-term target Essien a likely midfield arrival.
He could also generate further cash from the sale of either Ashley Cole or Jose Antonio Reyes and knows that he needs to secure a reliable goalscorer and a new goalkeeper.