Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal slam the door on Birmingham move for France defender Traore
Staying put: Arsenal defender Armand Traore[LNB]Arsene Wenger has dashed Birmingham's hopes of signing Arsenal left-back ArmandTraore on loan in time for the opening Barclays Premier League game of the season at Manchester United.[LNB]Blues boss Alex McLeish has been tracking Traore for several weeks in the hope that Wenger would allow him to move to St Andrews.[LNB]But Wenger will not decide whether or not to allow Traore to leave until the end of the August transfer window.[LNB]McLeish will now pursue other options although he may renew his interest in Traore at the end of the month if he is available.[LNB]He said: 'I've had a response from Arsene and it is not positivebecause he is going to keep Traore in the meantime and won't make adecision on him until the end of the transfer window.[LNB] 'I have to put the feelers out now and try and bring a left-back inbecause I have been playing right-footed people there, like StuartParnaby and Jared Wilson, which is not fair.[LNB]'Will I go back in for Traore? I'm not saying I won't go back tohim. It is possible but depends what happens between now and the end ofAugust.'[LNB] McLeish is still interested in Spanish midfielder Michel although he insists notalks have taken place regarding a deal for the Sporting Dijon midfielder.[LNB]The City boss will have an opportunity to watch the player first-hand tomorrow whenSporting face Birmingham in a friendly at St Andrews.[LNB]McLeish said: 'I've watched the guy. I don't think that's any secret. But there is nothing cast in stone with anybody yet.[LNB]'It's not cut and dried that the board will give me money for thatdeal but we do need an injection of players in certain positions.'[LNB] CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW: Arsenal and Celtic face each other in Battle of Britain play-off to make the group stage We're no closer to resigning Patrick Vieira, admits Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hails teenage prodigy Jack Wilshere as the new Wayne Rooney ARSENAL FC
