Arsene Wenger is contemplating making Gary Cahill, the Bolton Wanderers defender, his most expensive signing when the transfer window reopens in January.
The Arsenal manager recently revealed he "has the resources available to bring in one or two players if needed in January" and it is understood Cahill, the England centre-back, is his No 1 target.
Bolton will be loath to sell their best defender, who made his debut for England against Bulgaria in September, but will have little choice should Arsenal table a bid of £17.5 million (Dh87,863m), which would trigger an apparent release clause in the three-year contract Cahill signed in 2009.
A deal for Cahill, 24, would eclipse the reported £17m Arsenal paid for Jose Antonio Reyes in 2004.
Wenger has watched Cahill several times and enjoys a good relationship with Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager, after loaning him Jack Wilshere, the England midfielder, last season, which augurs well for any potential deal.
Wenger, though, does not have an impressive track record in signing English players. He paid a combined £14m for Richard Wright, the goalkeeper, and Francis Jeffers, the striker, yet the pair made just 34 appearances between them and were sold at a considerable loss.
A move for Cahill would also buck Wenger's trend of importing foreign players, evidenced by the fact that only seven of the Arsenal manager's 84 signings in 14 years have been English.
Wenger may have little option but to spend in January if Arsenal are to mount a genuine challenge for silverware.
He is spoilt for choice in midfield and attack but he will be concerned that the clean sheet against a Manchester City side, who played 86 minutes with 10 men, was their first in the league this season.
Arsenal spent a reported £14m on signing Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci in the summer, adding ballast to a defence that already includes Johan Djourou and Thomas Vermaelen. But the Achillies injury sustained by Vermaelen has shown Wenger how short his options are in defence, which was compounded by the news yesterday that Kieran Gibbs, the left-back, has been ruled out for several weeks with a knee injury sustained in the 4-0 Carling Cup win over Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Wenger could face competition for the signature of Cahill from north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The long-term fitness problems of Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate are a cause of growing concern to Harry Redknapp, the manager, who will be eager to see Michael Dawson return in December from a knee ligament injury sustained playing for England against Bulgaria. Ironically, that injury to Dawson handed Cahill his England debut as a substitute.
Meanwhile, the return of Theo Walcott from injury must feel like signing a new player for Wenger.
Walcott scored twice at Newcastle on Wednesday in his first start since he was injured on England duty last month. He is likely to start against West Ham United tomorrow. "Theo was sharp at Newcastle," Wenger said in the post-match press conference.
"You see that he has improved his composure in front of goal, he has tremendous pace and his first touch is much better. He is a very young boy and he is a very intelligent player and that's why I believe he will continue to develop."
sports@thenational.ae
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
2pm, UAE Conference final
Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers
4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
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Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
The five pillars of Islam
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Company%20Profile
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Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
RACE CARD
4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m
5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m
UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
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'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings