London - Arabstoday
Arsenal are planning a double raid in January for two players whos contracts currently come to an end next summer and will look to make a two bids worth a combined £14m.First on Arsene Wenger’s list is that of Bolton Wanderers centre-back Gary Cahill for whom the side were reported to have had a bid rejected in the last few days of the summer’s transfer window. With it unlikely that Bolton will extend the 25 year old’s current deal, and with Cahill himself suggesting he wants to get involved in European competition, Arsenal will remain one of his top destinations.Arsenal will face competition for the England defender though. Most notable competitors for his signature are those of Tottenham Hotspur – who were rumoured to be close to a deal this summer – and Chelsea, who feel the defender could be a long term solution to the aging John Terry.Arsenal’s second target is that of 26 year old Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo. The Italian’s current deal also ends next summer although the Serie A side still remain hopeful that a new extension to the his contract could go ahead before January. Should it not, the side will look to sell for obvious reasons, mainly the risk of allowing him to sign a pre-deal in January and risk losing the talented player for nothing.Whilst it is still early days in the season, Arsenal already have certain players marked for attention and with Cahill and Montolivo pencilled in for a possible January acquisition, Wenger will be hoping any new players in January will be enough to push them on for the second half of the season. From / BBC