Three Arsenal Big Signings By Next Week

Argentinian midfielder Ricky Alvarez is set to be one of of several signings to be revealed by Arsenal on July 1.

While some Gunners fans have grown concerned by the apparent lack of transfer activity in comparison to their other title rivals, boss Arsene Wenger has been busy setting up deals.

The Frenchman is already looking to confirm Southampton youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lille winger Gervinho as Arsenal’s latest arrivals next week.

And Italian club Palermo last night insisted they have lost out in the race to sign 23-year-old midfielder Alvarez because Wenger has beaten them to it.

Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini said: “We were interested in Alvarez, we were very close to him in January.

“We lost him due to our mistake and I know that he has already signed for Arsenal.”

Moneybags Malaga, Roma, Sevilla and Schalke were also keen on the 6ft 2in star who can play anywhere across the midfield.

But Palermo are understood to have been most aggressive in their pursuit of the player they had targeted to replace wantaway midfielder Javier Pastore.

Arsenal executive Richard Law is understood to have held initial talks over Alvarez with Velez president Fernando Raffaini without success.

Palermo’s interest, however, appears to have prompted Arsenal into ensuring the versatile, £11million star was not pinched from under their noses.

Wenger has also signed Charlton defender Carl Jenkinson, who can play anywhere across the backline and has had an £8million bid for Blackburn defender Chris Samba rejected.

Samba, 27, has responded by warning Rovers not to price him out of his dream move.

He said yesterday: “I know there are discussions with some clubs.

“If a good opportunity arises, I want to seize it. It is necessary that the club understands that I want to go one step further.

“I hope they (Rovers) will not put a stick in the wheels. It’s been four and a half years I have been at Blackburn and two years I have played in relegation battles.”