AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has revealed that the Rossoneri are close to signing Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini. The 24-year-old midfielder, currently sidelined by an ankle problem, has yet to agree a new deal with the Gunners and is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning he could walk away from the Emirates Stadium in the summer with Milan waiting to pounce.
Galliani said: "Flamini will arrive tonight in Milan and will sign a four year contract."
Flamini is expected to undergo a medical on Monday.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted on Sunday after his side's 1-0 win over Everton that he is "not super-confident" Flamini will still be at Arsenal next season.
Wenger expects the matter to be resolved early this week, but it is understood Flamini said his goodbyes to some staff as he left the car park after Sunday's win.
"Frankly, I don't know," said the Arsenal manager when asked about Flamini's future. "But if you ask me was I overall super-confident, I would say no.
"He has an offer on the table which is valid until Monday, then we will see.
"I am not confident, but also not worried. The situation is not in my hands.
"We have done what we had to do, it is now down to him to make a decision."
Wenger insists the matter has to be resolved one way or another.
"At some stage you have to make a decision and if he goes we have to look at our options," said the Arsenal boss.
"We can't wait until July. You could lose players if they come on the market.
"My ideal solution is that he stays, so I am not happy if he goes - but we've done everything we can."
Another player whose future could be resolved in the summer is veteran midfielder Gilberto, while goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to leave following an emotional farewell at the Emirates when the German came on as a second-half substitute.
Wenger said: "I would like Gilberto to stay, but I will have to sit down with him to see what he wants to do, and we go from there.
"He is a fantastic guy with a professional attitude. We won trophies with him and Jens because they are fantastic people."
Wenger added: "We will keep 95 per cent of the squad, but we might lose one or two."
up2 said
12:07 05/05 2008
Milan have confirmed that they have agreed a four-year contract with Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.
The out-of-contract France international underwent a medical on Monday and has reached an agreement that will keep him at the San Siro until June 2012.
A statement on Milan's official website read: "Milan would like to confirm that we have signed a contract that will tie the French player Mathieu Flamini to the Rossoneri from 1st July 2008 till 30th June 2012."
On the agreement, Flamini told reporters: "I am very happy, thank you."
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Uefa.com: "Flamini is a very good player - we saw this when he played against us in the UEFA Champions League. This is an excellent signing."
Transformation
The 24-year-old joined The Gunners from Marseille in 2004, but initially struggled to hold down a regular starting berth in Arsene Wenger's starting XI.
This season, however, Flamini has made the centre-midfield position his own, forming an impressive partnership with Cesc Fabregas.
His displays soon caught the attentions of a number of top European clubs, with Juventus thought to be leading the race to secure his services.
But Milan's contract offer proved too good to refuse for the tenacious midfielder, despite Arsenal reportedly offering in the region of £55,000-a-week.
up2 said
12:08 05/05 2008
jus goes to show the lil pucci was only motivated by money and may even proove my belief that his performances were a fluke an was jus playing out of his skin to show himself to d world.
jus sorry we neva keep diara cuz him a d betta balla
Casino said
12:16 05/05 2008
it jus keeps gettin worse for the gunnaz, oh well
Jefstar said
12:20 05/05 2008
tha gunners even lamer now....i didnt think it ws possible!! lol
The 24-year-old midfielder, currently sidelined by an ankle problem, has yet to agree a new deal with the Gunners and is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning he could walk away from the Emirates Stadium in the summer with Milan waiting to pounce.
Galliani said: "Flamini will arrive tonight in Milan and will sign a four year contract."
Flamini is expected to undergo a medical on Monday.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted on Sunday after his side's 1-0 win over Everton that he is "not super-confident" Flamini will still be at Arsenal next season.
Wenger expects the matter to be resolved early this week, but it is understood Flamini said his goodbyes to some staff as he left the car park after Sunday's win.
"Frankly, I don't know," said the Arsenal manager when asked about Flamini's future. "But if you ask me was I overall super-confident, I would say no.
"He has an offer on the table which is valid until Monday, then we will see.
"I am not confident, but also not worried. The situation is not in my hands.
"We have done what we had to do, it is now down to him to make a decision."
Wenger insists the matter has to be resolved one way or another.
"At some stage you have to make a decision and if he goes we have to look at our options," said the Arsenal boss.
"We can't wait until July. You could lose players if they come on the market.
"My ideal solution is that he stays, so I am not happy if he goes - but we've done everything we can."
Another player whose future could be resolved in the summer is veteran midfielder Gilberto, while goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to leave following an emotional farewell at the Emirates when the German came on as a second-half substitute.
Wenger said: "I would like Gilberto to stay, but I will have to sit down with him to see what he wants to do, and we go from there.
"He is a fantastic guy with a professional attitude. We won trophies with him and Jens because they are fantastic people."
Wenger added: "We will keep 95 per cent of the squad, but we might lose one or two."