Gunners confirm Gallas bid
22 Aug 2006 - 14:41:38
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made a formal bid for unsettled Chelsea defender William Gallas.
Chelsea remain keen to sign Gunners full-back Ashley Cole, but talks about the deal stalled after the two clubs failed to agree a fee for the England international.
Press reports had suggested that a swap deal involving Gallas heading to Arsenal could break the deadlock in negotiations, and Wenger has now confirmed he is keen to sign the France international.
"We are still in no-man's land surrounding his (Cole) move. I made an offer for William Gallas and that is how far we are," Wenger said.
The Gunners boss is keen to see Cole's future sorted out and has omitted the 25-year-old from the squad to face Dinamo Zagreb in a Champions League qualifier on Wednesday, in order to avoid him becoming cup-tied.
He added: "The transfer possibility is not closed and if he plays he might go to a team who plays in the Champions League and could not play for them any more.
"It can happen, but at the moment we are still in no-man's land.
"I am very keen for it all to be resolved because you want your squad to be settled and focused."
