Arsenal To Miss Out On French Defender As Milan Make Offer

AC Milan look set to beat Arsenal and Manchester City to Valencia defender Adil Rami as the centre-back enters talks with the Serie A club ahead of a loan move.

The France international earned the wrath of his club after he publically criticised manager and former player Miroslav Djukic, comments that initially earned him an indefinite suspension without pay while the club conducted their own investigation.

Having seemingly burned his bridges with the club, Rami found himself heavily linked with a move to Manchester City and Arsenal, having revealed during the summer months that he would be very open to a Premier League switch.

But the Serie A giants have moved quickly to attempt to secure a deal for the talented, but troubled, 27-year-old, as revealed by Valencia president Amadeo Salvo who confirmed reports made by Spanish newspaper AS.

"There is nothing closed either with the player or with Valencia. Logically we are moving closer in positions, but we know that in the world of football, anything can happen," Salvo told reporters in a press conference.

"Is this a good situation? It depends on how you look at it. The best option is for Valencia to keep hold of all its good players and for none of this to have happened. Within the situation, we think that this is a good operation.

"I think that all being well it will be (completed) soon, but I cannot specify as to when. Timing is unpredictable because it does not depend on us but on many factors, the player, the other club and if terms are accepted by both the player and the club."

Although Thomas Vermaelen has completed his return to the first team following injury, Wenger may still consider adding another defender to his ranks, having only made contributions to his attack and midfield in the summer through the signings of Mesut Ozil, Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini.

It would appear Milan are close to beating them to the Frenchman however, with AS suggesting the club will also have the option to buy at the end of the season.

Milan have endured an inauspicious start to the 2013/14 season, currently sitting 12<sup>th already 13 points off Roma and having leaked a worrying 13 goals, the third worst tally in the league.