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Arsenal and Manchester United keen on January move for Anderlecht’s Lucas Biglia claims agent
The Argentine international's representative confirmed the interest of the two Premier League clubs, suggesting the defensive midfielder will only move to a top European side.
Dec 23, 2011 9:12:00 AM
By Jay Jaffa
The agent of Anderlecht's Lucas Biglia has claimed that both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing the defensive midfielder.
The 25-year-old joined the Belgian side in 2006, and has since gained six caps for Argentina, with his representative Enzo Montepaone talking up a Premier League move for his client ahead of the January transfer window.
“Fiorentina, Arsenal and Manchester United? The interest of those clubs is real,” Montepaone told Het Nieuwsblad. “If everything goes to wish, Lucas will be back in Brussels on the second of January. He will start training then and will be ready for the Europa League-game against AZ.
"It's right that those clubs are interested. From the moment he came to Anderlecht it was the plan to grow as a player. Now is the moment for him to go to a big club. He can earn double his salary at another club. He will not leave Anderlecht for another European sub-top club. That's why we were not interested in the offer of Atletico Madrid.”
Both English clubs are reportedly on the lookout for midfield reinforcements in January, with Arsenal keen to plug the holes left by Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri's departures, while Manchester United must combat the retirement of Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher's extended absence from football due to illness.
“Big clubs know that there isn't much changed in their midfield line. They are searching for new blood. Biglia is a potential elite player,” Montepaone added. “From Anderlecht's point of view he doesn't have to leave, because Lucas has a contract until 2015. If it depends on Anderlecht he will be staying in Brussels. The minimum [transfer fee] is 8 million euros. We still have until the first of February.”
The 25-year-old joined the Belgian side in 2006, and has since gained six caps for Argentina, with his representative Enzo Montepaone talking up a Premier League move for his client ahead of the January transfer window.
“Fiorentina, Arsenal and Manchester United? The interest of those clubs is real,” Montepaone told Het Nieuwsblad. “If everything goes to wish, Lucas will be back in Brussels on the second of January. He will start training then and will be ready for the Europa League-game against AZ.
"It's right that those clubs are interested. From the moment he came to Anderlecht it was the plan to grow as a player. Now is the moment for him to go to a big club. He can earn double his salary at another club. He will not leave Anderlecht for another European sub-top club. That's why we were not interested in the offer of Atletico Madrid.”
Both English clubs are reportedly on the lookout for midfield reinforcements in January, with Arsenal keen to plug the holes left by Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri's departures, while Manchester United must combat the retirement of Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher's extended absence from football due to illness.
“Big clubs know that there isn't much changed in their midfield line. They are searching for new blood. Biglia is a potential elite player,” Montepaone added. “From Anderlecht's point of view he doesn't have to leave, because Lucas has a contract until 2015. If it depends on Anderlecht he will be staying in Brussels. The minimum [transfer fee] is 8 million euros. We still have until the first of February.”
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