Kolo to say bye bye

Kolo is edging ever closer to his move to Man City.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jul/28/kolo-toure-has-manchester-city-medical

Reports today are emerging that the two clubs have agreed a fee in the region of £14m for the Ivorian defender. He is supposedly on the verge of flying back from our Austrian training camp to undergo a medical at the Eastlands and to discuss personal terms. The medical and the discussing of personal terms are seen to be a formality and Toure should tie up the deal by the end of the week.
The move makes sense for all parties. Man City get an experienced Premiership campaigner of proven quality, Kolo will no doubt secure a lucrative long term contract and we get £14 million for a player who perhaps has seen better days. As discussed yesterday the physical attributes that were key to his outstanding performances appear to be on the wane. Toure has been a cornerstone of our defence for several years and will no doubt be missed by the Gunners. I believe with the signing of Vermaelen, his position in the team would be under threat and the move may actually re-invigorate him. Toure had a well broadcasted fall out with William Gallas last season and handed in a transfer request to leave Arsenal in January. He looks to have secured his move to City and if he does depart the Emirates he goes with my best wishes (for him not City!)

Another player to depart the Emirates is Havard Nordveit.

http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/nordtveit-links-up-with-nuremburg-derby-dont-want-randall/

The Norwegian youngster has joined German club FC Nuremberg on a season long loan. The defender will hopefully gain some invaluable experience in the demanding Bundesliga and will return to the Gunners next season. This is Harvard’s third stint out on loan. He has achieved mixed success whilst away from y
the club. He departed Salamanca half way through his loan spell due to a lack of opportunities and he spent the second half of last season on loan with Lillestrom in his native Norway. Where he impressed under the tutelage of ex Man Utd defender Henning Berg playing at centre half and right back.

Arsenal are supposedly in talks to loan Armand Traore to Premiership newcomers Birmingham City

http://www.birmingham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=163338

Traore spent last season on loan at Pompey and initially began the season under Harry Redknapp on the left wing. After Harry left to join Spurs Traore found his chances for a first team place limited and another season on loan will stand him in good stead. Birmingham have had great success in loaning Gunners. Nicky Bendtner and former stars Seb Larsson and Fabrice Muamba all helped the blues secure promotion back to the top flight in 2006/07, with Larsson and Muamba signing permanently. Johan Djourou also spent six months with the blues in the 2007/08 season. Hopefully if Traore signs he will have a similar level of success.

More tomorrow.......