Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini could be back for a second spell at the Emirate as Arsene Wenger has been reported by several British media to be in talks with Real Madrid for the duo of Angel Di Maria and Frenchman Karim Benzema.
The 29-year-old midfielder is a free agent after AC Milan decided not to renew his contract at the end of last season and has been training with the north London club in recent week.
Flamini joined Arsenal from Marseille in 2004 and spent four years with the Gunners. He played in the side’s Champions League campaign of 2006 where they were a losing finalist to Barcelona.
With injuries to Mikel Arteta, Laurient Koscielny and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wenger is keen to sign some few other players in the midfield and has disclosed interest in the pair of Argentinean, De Maria and Benzema after losing out on Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez.
However, a deal for Flamini, who can also provide cover as full-back could be finalised in the subsequent week.
After Wednesday’s Champions League group stage thrashing of Fenerbahce, Frenchman Wenger admitted that the club’s interest on Uruguayan, Suarez, looks to be over as Liverpool insists that he is not for sale.
Arsenal’s two bid for Suarez have been rejected by Liverpool, insisting the striker is not for sale.
“There is absolutely no chance of that,” Wenger said, in remarks he made in his post-match conference after Wednesday’s victory in Istanbul.
Arsenal have also had a bid for Newcastle United’s player Yohan Cabaye rejected by the Magpies as manager Alan Pardew termed it a “derisory” offer.
