Wenger turns to Essien as part of ?40M spree

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.