Main man: Peter Odemwingie twice tormented Arsenal
in the Premier League last season
Arsenal
are weighing up a shock cut-price £4million move for West Bromwich
striker Peter Odemwingie.
Arsene Wenger wants to bolster his attacking
options to take the goalscoring burden off Robin van Persie - who
yesterday renewed his attack on Chelsea players for what he views
as their attempts to intimidate officials.
Odemwingie caught Wenger’s eye during both
Premier League clashes against the Baggies last season, which saw
the Midlands club take four points - including a 3-2 win at the
Emirates.
Odemwingie only has a year left on his current
Baggies deal, though manager Roy Hodgson is desperate for the
striker to commit to a long-term contract. But the lure of
Champions League football could be too much for Odemwingie to
resist.
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Lille’s Gervinho and
Porto’s Radamel Falcao are also in Wenger’s thoughts, but a move
for Odemwingie would be more cost-effective, freeing up funds to
strengthen other areas.
Wenger will step up plans to reshape his squad by
going on a scouting mission to South America this month. He will
watch a number of international friendlies leading up to the
Copa America, which kicks off on July 1.
Arsenal are already on the trail of left-footed
Argentine midfielder Ricardo Alvarez, who plays for Velez Sarsfield
and Wenger’s chief scout Steve Rowley has been dispatched on a
spying assignment to South America.
Under pressure: Arsene Wenger is a man on a mission
this summer after another disappointing season
