Angers SCO general manager Olivier Pickeu has confirmed midfielder Alharbi El Jadeyaoui has joined Arsenal on a two-day trial, Sky Sports understands.
El Jadeyaoui, who joined then-English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers on a one-week trial prior to joining En Avant de Guingamp in the summer of 2009, netted four goals in 35 Ligue 2 matches for Angers last season.
Arsenal have scouted the Morocco international on multiple occasions, but the 26-year-old has finally been given the opportunity to impress manager Arsene Wenger in person.
However, El Jadeyaoui has just two training sessions to convince Wenger to open the club’s checkbook. Good luck.
“For Alharbi, this is something else,” Pickeu told Ouest-France.
“We’re not in a negotiation phase yet.
“Arsenal have watched him many times, with Morocco as well. We thought it would be nice for him to spend time in England. It is rewarding for him and it is rewarding for us.”
In other news, Al Ain FC have turned down Arsenal’s trial offer for UAE international attacking midfielder Omar Abdulrahman, according to The National.
Abdulrahman, 21, one of the brightest young talents in Asian football, is also reportedly attracting interest from Barcelona, Schalke 04 and Valencia.
Al Ain chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed has made it clear the club will not allow the player to go on trial, but admitted “serious offers” for the 21-year-old No. 10 — who spent two weeks training with Manchester City after an impressive showing at the 2012 London Games — would be considered.
That being said, a trial plus £1 bid is unlikely to be accepted by the UAE Pro-League champions.
“Omar Abdulrahman is a national treasure, which is why the club is keen to study with great attention only serious offers that are beneficial to the player,” said bin Mohammed.
“Omar is above having to go on trial to prove his skills, as he has played high-quality league and international matches, which are the real test.
“Any club willing to recruit Omar can check his performance in all his games and then submit a serious offer to sign him. If there is one, we are ready to negotiate with the team and reach a compromise.”
The Gunners have signed just one player, Yaya Sanogo from AJ Auxerre (via free transfer), this summer.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur — Arsenal’s bitter North London rivals — have already completed the signings of Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, with France international midfielder Étienne Capoue on the verge of joining Spurs from Toulouse for a fee believed to be in the region of £8-11 million.
Wenger, it’s time to break the bank.
No bids for Arnautovic
Werder Bremen general manager Thomas Eichin has revealed the club have not received any concrete offers for Austria international striker Marko Arnautovic, Sky Sports reports.
Arnautovic, 24, has been the subject of reported interest from Dynamo Kiev, Real Sociedad and West Ham United in recent weeks.
The Austria international, whose current contract at the Weserstadion expires next summer, had an up-and-down season in 2012/13 and may be considered surplus to requirements following the permanent signing of former Bayern Munich striker Nils Petersen.
By the way, the 24-year-old, formerly of F.C. Internazionale Milano, was suspended by Bremen last term for his involvement in a fight with team-mate Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who has since joined UEFA Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund. Suitors: proceed with caution.
“At this point in time we are in no talks with any club regarding the future of Marko Arnautovic,” said Eichin.
“Marko Arnautovic is part of the first-team squad and has a contract at our club.”
Arnautovic bagged five goals and six assists in 26 league appearances for Bremen last season.
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