Kolo Toure Out If Arsenal Buy Matthew Upson?

The Gunners could sacrifice their Ivorian centre-half if they manage to brick back one of their former flops...

07-Jan-2009 7:29:23 AM

Matthew Upson - West Ham United

According to The Daily Mail, Arsenal will grant Kolo Toure's transfer request if they succeed in re-signing Matthew Upson from West Ham United.

Toure has, to many pundits' amazement, fallen down the ranks at the Emirates this term, despite being considered one of the Premier League's top defenders.

And after a monumental bust-up with William Gallas, the longest-serving player on the Gunners' roster is desperate to leave Ashburton Grove for pastures new.

Manchester City have reportedly made an £8 million offer for the 27-year-old, but Arsene Wenger announced recently that he would not let Toure leave.

Nonetheless, the Arsenal manager has been scouting out potential replacements for the Ivory Coast star, and he is thought to have singled out Upson as his top target - not for the first time.

The England centre-back endured an uncertain six years on the books at Highbury after signing from Luton Town in 1997. Opportunities were scarce with Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Martin Keown around, and matters weren't helped by injuries and the arrivals of Sol Campbell and, of course, a certain Mr Toure.

But the Suffolk native has well and truly rebuilt his reputation in the six years since being sold to Birmingham City in January 2003. Four impressive years at St Andrew's saw him earn a move to West Ham, where he has gone from strength to strength and worked his way back into the international fold under Fabio Capello.

The Hammers have stressed that they won't sell their star players to ease their crippling financial situation, but a bid of £10 million or more - roughly what Man City are now prepared to pay for Toure - could give the high-ups at Upton Park something to think about.

Mike Maguire, Goal.com