William Gallas's relationships at Arsenal have soured and
he is likely to move to Real Madrid this summer. The France
international was involved in a dispute with one of the young
players at the Emirates Stadium and he has failed to patch up his
differences. That has left the defender isolated from the dressing
room and manager.
"I knew the Arsenal team was young but day after day I have come to
understand they really miss experience," said Gallas in an
interview with L'Equipe last month. "We can't always rely on
Thierry [Henry] and the youngsters have to understand it. Our young
players have to do more."
Madrid, keen to bolster their chances of securing Jose Mourinho's
services in the close season, have for months been monitoring the
situation of the Chelsea manager's favourite defender and are
reportedly preparing a £15m bid.
Madrid expect that sum to be sufficient to persuade Arsène Wenger
to sanction the sale and Gallas, who has long been keen to
experience another league than the Premiership and his native
French Ligue 1, would be open to an approach.
If Arsenal do permit Gallas to leave, the funds might be diverted
towards securing Florent Malouda. The France international winger
believes his time at Lyon has run its course and would turn down
Juventus and Chelsea, both of whom are interested, in favour of the
Gunners.
