Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Gunners grab The Beast

01 Sep 2006 - 09:14:08

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Brazil striker Julio Baptista has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan as part of the deal which took Jose Antonio Reyes to Real Madrid.

Spain forward Reyes has been searching for a move back to his homeland all summer after failing to settle in London following his arrival from Sevilla in January 2004.

Several Primera Liga clubs expressed an interest in the 23-year-old, but none were prepared to match Arsenal's £13.5million asking price.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was eventually tempted by Real Madrid's offer to take Reyes on loan, with Baptista moving in the opposite direction.

Wenger attempted to sign the 24-year-old before he moved from Sevilla to Madrid last summer and could not resist the chance to finally add the Brazilian to his squad.

It is believed both loan deals contain options to make the transfers permanent next summer.