Former Gunner Training With Arsenal As Wenger Ponders His Return - Report
Arsenal may consider offering a contract to former player Mathieu Flamini as their search for summer recruits continues into the final weeks of the transfer window.
The France international has reportedly been training with the Gunners throughout August as a free agent after leaving AC Milan in July, having also garnered slight interest from West Ham United and Fulham.
The 29-year-old spent four years in north London before leaving the Gunners when his contract expired after the 2007/08 season but could be offered the chance to return to the club, The Times report, should Wenger be unable to strike a deal for Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye.
Having yet to sign a single established player this summer despite much being promised at the beginning of the transfer window, pressure is growing on the Arsenal boss to bring in players.
The club made an offer of approximately £10m for Cabaye on Monday afternoon, hours before Newcastle's season opening defeat to Manchester City. That offer was swiftly rejected; with Alan Pardew's side reluctant to sell and with Arsenal unwilling to go further than £15m.
Having missed out on the signing of Luiz Gustavo and with Abou Diaby a long term injury absentee, the Arsenal boss could be in the market for a more defensive minded midfielder, a role in which Flamini flourished in during his final season at the club.
After leaving the Rossoneri this summer having turned down an offer of a new contract, Flamini spoke of his desire to return to England.
"Milan offered me a contract for two years but I need to take my time and make the right decision," the versatile midfielder told The Sun last month.
"I've been in Italy for five years. I've had a great time and learnt a lot but I miss England and I want to win the Premier League.
"It has a special place in my heart. I like the pace and the physicality of English football and I like that every game is open."
Arsenal are yet to open their cheque book this summer having brought Yaya Sanogo to the club on a free transfer with the Gunners paying a small compensation fee to his former club Auxerre.
Having missed out on Luiz Gustavo and Gonzalo Higuain and with Wenger today admitting defeat in the club's pursuit of Luis Suarez, the club now have less than two weeks to make significant additions to the squad.
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