Sky Sports News understands Arsenal have opened preliminary talks with Birmingham over a possible move for defender Scott Dann. Dann is widely expected to leave St Andrews during the transfer window in the wake of the Blues' relegation from the top-flight on the final day of last season. The imposing centre-back formed an impressive partnership with Roger Johnson before an untimely injury in January curtailed his campaign and contributed to the club's eventual demotion. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is known to be keen to strengthen his defence having seen their hopes of silverware undermined last season by deficiencies at the back. And the Emirates Stadium outfit have held initial discussions with the St Andrews club over bringing the 24-year-old to North London. A host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Stoke have all been linked with the former Walsall and Coventry man this summer. But it now appears that Arsenal have jumped to the head of the queue for the player who moved to Birmingham in a £3.5million deal in the summer of 2009. Wenger is likely to have funds to invest in the transfer market with captain Cesc Fabregas expected to complete his multi-million pound return to Barcelona in the coming days. Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7093040,00.html
Actually we're being a little unfair the guy has great potential. Most Birmingham fans will tell you the guy is class. There's a reason McCleish tried to sign him the moment he joined Villa. (he's the best player in the Birmingham squad) In my opinion he's an improvemnt of Squillaci and Koscielney.
I think we're headed in the right direction. Hopefully we'll be up to strength soon and can get on with the business of winning again ( continuing my positive outlook )
Count me in! After the debacle that is the Indian Test team, during this series, I need something to believe in again. COME ON YOU GOONS!!!
Scott dann would be fantastic. The problem with signing someone like Jagielka/Samba/Cahill is they'll want to play week in week out an I honestly think Djourou is better than all 3 of them. Dann could sit on the bench for like 10 games then come and do a good job. And he'll be pretty cheap as well, so hopefully this story of spending all the Fabregas money on new players is true.
If you sign him I'll be a little disappointed, mainly due to the fact he's a lifelong Liverpool supporter.
There is no way he is better than Koscielny. Kosc is an absolute class defender and for a first season in the EPL did fantasticaly! Against Barca he was phenominal and kept Messi quiet all game. Yes he has the odd lapse, but he is a very, very good player. Any CB we get in is likely to sit behind TV, Kosc and Djourou in the pecking order. Although as seen last season that doesn't mean you don't get game time!
I kind of agree. But consider that a good defence is all about balance. A Koscielney and Vermaelen partnership would NOT work. They lack height and our both ball playing defenders that like to push forward. Most of the best defenses throughout history contain one more technical ball player and one more robust ballwinner. Dann, Cahill and Jagielka would all be good signings for us.
I'm not saying we shouldn't sign a CB - i think we should. It'll just be difficult to get one of the quality we need who is willing to be a back-up. I'd like to have a go for Vertonghen. He would be back-up CB but also able to cover the LB position when inevitably Gibbs gets injured and can cover the DM position when Song runs off back to Africa. Can't believe more people haven't been throwing his name around again this season.
