Arsenal Consider £23m Bid for Belgium’s Powerhouse Midfielder – Report

Arsenal are set for a busy week in the transfer market as the club prepare to follow up the signing of Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain with Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

Higuain is reportedly close to sealing a move to the Emirates in a deal that would see the Gunners break their transfer record by paying £22m for the striker. The Argentina international could well be revealed as an Arsenal player next week but it seems he may not be their only major announcement.

The Evening Standard reports that the Arsenal board are also prepared to hand Wenger £23m in order to secure the services of Fellaini. The powerful midfielder has long been linked with a move away from Everton, with speculation increasing after it was confirmed that David Moyes would join Manchester United.

There were some suggestions that Fellaini could follow Moyes to Old Trafford, but it seems Arsenal will be the first club to make an official offer for the midfielder.

Fellaini has been strongly linked with a move to north London in recent weeks with some reports suggesting that Arsenal had already activated his release clause and were simply waiting for permission to speak with the 25 year old.

There was also a call from former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour for Wenger to bring Fellaini to the club as he felt as though the Belgian would be able to finally fill the void left by Patrick Viera's departure in 2005.

While it would be difficult to persuade new Everton boss Roberto Martinez to part with one of the club's prized assets, it is believed that the £23m would activate his release clause and they could immediately begin negotiations with Fellaini.

Should Arsenal manage to complete deals for both players then it would be a serious statement of intent after a difficult season which ultimately ended in disappointment.

Wenger may not have delivered an elusive trophy but qualification for the Champions League was a huge achievement and has allowed the Frenchman to finally convince the board that he needs significant funds.