After the transfer period closed up, many rumors and official statements regarding failed player signings have appeared. A lot of negotiations have been kept secret in order to avoid complicating the deals and also competition between clubs. Several rounds of talks occurred and most did not come to anything. One of the most important confrontations took place between Arsenal and Tottenham as that apparently battled it out for the 24 year old French midfielder Etienne Capoue. He is currently playing for Ligue 1’s side Toulouse and he is considered one of the most promising defensive midfielders of his generation.
His versatility and excellent resume made him a perfect candidate for both the Gunners and the team from White Hart Lane. Etienne Capoue has been with Toulouse since 2007 and managed to round up 157 appearances in which he scored 9 goals. He would have been a great hit for Wenger’s team, who was looking to bring in a player who can match Song’s profile. Etienne has also played several matches as a defender, an area in which Arsenal does not excel considering recent stats and results.
The young French midfielder has been playing for all of France’s national team levels since he was 18. In 2012 he made his debut in the senior squad, getting time on the pitch next to all major French players and has even managed to score a goal for his country. Although he lacks international experience, while playing for Toulouse he managed to get 35 selections for his national teams, most of them at the U18 and U19 level.
The January transfer window did present a major opportunity for the Frenchmen to advance to a different level, but according to his agent, offers fell short of both his and his client’s expectations. Mino Raiola, who is currently representing big name players such as Ibrahimovic and Balotelli said that Toulouse’s chairman, Olivier Sadran, was not keen on letting his prize player leave just yet.
Raiola, who has also represented players like Pavel Nedved, Dennis Bergkamp (the Arsenal legend) and Robinho, said that genuine interest was shown by three important Premier League clubs, two of which were Arsenal and Tottenham. PSG also took an interest in signing the French player so it is most likely he will be on the move during the summer transfer period. Considering Capoue’s form and the fact that his representative has never overseen transfers that go lower than €10 million, chances are Toulouse’s defensive midfielder will be a massive hit during the next transfer window, but we all know that if Wenger doesn’t manage to lower the transfer fee the midfielder won’t be heading to the Emirates.
So far, this season Etienne Capoue made 20 Ligue 1 appearances and had no injuries keeping him back. He managed to score four goals and he even produced two assists. According to rumors, the Frenchman has been one of Wenger’s favorite players for quite a while now and his most probable future destination will be Arsenal. Capoue is expected to have an easy road ahead considering Mino Raiola’s excellent relationship with the Gunners and the fact that Giroud and Laurent Koscielny, two of his conational teammates, are already established members of Arsenal’s first team.