Freddie Ljungberg's long career at Arsenal may be
drawing to a close if the Gunners accept a £5.5million bid from
Serie A giants Fiorentina.
The Italian club's interest is sure to alert Premier League
Portsmouth, who were interested in the Swede earlier in the
summer.
Ljundberg has insisted he wants to see out the final couple of
years on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
He missed chunks of last season through injuries and it remains to
be seen whether or not he figures in Arsene Wenger's plans as he
attempts to rebuild the Gunners.
Fiorentina are keen to snap up Ljungberg and have even offered
21-year-old Bulgaria striker Valeri Bojinov in part exchange.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are preparing to launch a £13.5million bid for
Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, who is viewed as a replacement
for departed favourite Thierry Henry.
Magpies boss Sam Allardyce is still fuming that Martins was allowed
a buyout clause in his contract and the Gunners are ready to
pounce.
Martins has declared he may stay on Tyneside but is demanding a pay
rise from £60,000 each week to nearer the £100,000 Michael Owen
pockets every seven days.
Arsenal have already signed Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva from
Dinamo Zagreb for £7.5m and will today hold talks with Auxerre's
France Under-21 defender Bakari Sagna about a move to the Emirates
Stadium.
