You are in > manchester.com  > News > Flamini's Arsenal future cast into doubt after Juve link

General Sport

Flamini's Arsenal future cast into doubt after Juve link

23/04/2008

Mathieu Flamini could be quitting Arsenal for Juventus, the Gunners' chairman has admitted.

The French international, whose contract expires in the summer, has yet to agree a new deal at the Emirates stadium.

Chairman Peter Hill-Wood fears Flamini has signed a pre-contract with Juventus, meaning the midfielder could leave the club on a free transfer in the summer.

The Gunners are thought to have offered the 24-year-old a deal worth £50,000 a week, while Claudio Ranieri's side have tabled an offer of £60,000 a week.

Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood admits the club face an anxious wait until the end of the season.

"We have made what we think is a pretty generous offer and we are waiting to hear whether he will accept or not," Hill-Wood told the Daily Star newspaper.

"You just don't know nowadays. You think players have a pretty good life, but, somehow, someone persuades them the grass might be greener somewhere else.

"So I don't know the answer, all I know is we think we have pushed the boat out."

Flamini has been a revelation as a holding midfielder this season, ousting former skipper Gilberto Silva from the starting line-up.

The French international has played 41 games this season, mostly partnering Cesc Fabregas, and has scored three goals.

Jean-Claude Blanc, Juventus' club director, revealed a deal is nearly complete and rubbished claims that AC Milan will try to hijack the deal.

"We have the advantage (over Milan)," Blanc said.

"As a child Flamini was a supporter of Juve.

"We also have a sporting project in place and we will be in the Champions League. Milan will not."