SILVESTRE SET FOR SHOCK ARSENAL MOVE

Mikael Silvestre is on the verge of making a shock move from Manchester United to Arsenal.

The Gunners are understood to have made a last-ditch attempt to sign the defender last night and are set to purchase the Frenchman for a knock-down fee of £750,000.


Silvestre was expected to complete a move to Manchester City or Sunderland this week and was reportedly in the process of undergoing a medical at Eastlands when he was informed that Arsene Wenger wished to sign him. 'Silvestre immediately abandoned the medical and hurtled down the M1 to meet Gunners boss Wenger and discuss terms,' The Sun claims.


Were Silvestre to join then he would be the first player in 34 years to be sold by Manchester United to their north London rivals. The last player to move directly between the two clubs was Viv Anderson in 1987 when he became Sir Alex Ferguson's first signing.


The proposed move would arguably represent the biggest shock of this summer's transfer activity. While the prospect of Ferguson selling a player, albeit one who has been on the fringes of the United first-team for the past two years, is unexpected, Arsenal fans may be equally surprised to learn that, according to The Guardian, 'Wenger does not regard the former Internazionale defender merely as a squad player, or as a back-up for Gaël Clichy at left-back, but as a first-choice centre-half alongside William Gallas, primarily as a replacement for Philippe Senderos.'


With The Guardian apparently forgetting about Kolo Toure's presence at the Emirates, it is more likely that Wenger intends to use Silvestre as cover at both left-back and centre-half and regards the 31-year-old as adding valuable experience to a generally youthful squad.


In turn, Silvestre's arrival may result in Armand Traore, Clichy's current deputy, leaving the Emirates on loan. Conversely, Silvestre's exit would apparently result in the promotion of 20-year-old Fabio da Silva to the role of Patrice Evra's number two at Manchester United.



source: http://msn.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_4015316,00.html