Arsenal gunning for O’Shea

In what would be one of the shock moves of the transfer window, Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid for Manchester United and Ireland defender John O’Shea.

Arsene Wenger normally goes after previously unheralded teenage Frenchmen when shopping in the transfer market, but according to The Mirror this morning, it’s a 30-year old Irishman who has caught his eye.

With Gael Clichy set to sign for Manchester City over the weekend and the Gunners already short of defensive cover as it is, Wenger is apparently keen on recruiting the Waterford man who is comfortable in every position across the back four and could even do a job in a holding midfield role (and in goal) if required.

O’Shea was linked with Sunderland earlier this summer as Sir Alex Ferguson prepared to jettison some of last season’s squad in favour of fresh blood such as Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea, who have already arrived at Old Trafford.

While O’Shea is thought to have given short shrift to the prospect of a move to the Black Cats, it is believed he would consider a move to the Emirates and what’s more, he could be used by Fergie as a makeweight in an attempt to bring Samir Nasri to Old Trafford.

Manchester City have joined their bitter rivals in the race to sign the talented French midfielder in recent days and with the wealthy Sheikhs likely to dangle shedloads of cash in front of him, United will need to pull out all the stops to convince him to become a Red Devil and including O’Shea as part of a package may just sweeten the deal.