It appears that two transfers are almost completed even before the January transfer window opens in the English Premiership. We already know that Everton are signing Landon Donovan for a couple of months and know it seems that Thierry Henry is moving to Arsenal, temporarily, and Gary Cahill is set to move from Bolton to Chelsea for a fee between £7 and £8 million.
The transfer fee for Gary Cahill is considerably lower than it might have been just 12 months ago, or even during the summer transfer window when Tottenham almost signed him for £10 million, because the English international’s contract with Bolton is set to end in the summer. Once his contract ends the player will be entitled to sign for any club for free on a Bosman transfer. This way, with the deal completed in January, it suits both the selling club and the buying one. Bolton recoup some money, vital given their precarious financial position, and Chelsea sign another option in the centre of defence, somewhat imperative given David Luiz’s unsteady form, and current injury issues, and Alex’s imminent departure – the Brazilian having been placed on the transfer list close to a month ago. Should Gary Cahill find his way to Stamford Bridge he will be able to renew his central defensive partnership with John Terry, as the pair have frequently played together for England.
What with Landon Donovan, fresh after winning the MLS final with LA Galaxy, where David Beckham starred, signing for Everton on loan, Thierry Henry would not be the only MLS player set to make a temporary appearance in the Premiership for a couple of months. Thierry Henry is unlikely to stay more than a couple of months. He has obligations with the New York Red Bulls and, what is more, it is unlikely Arsenal see him as anything more than a short term stop gap solution. Arsenal need goals, they cannot rely on the incredible Robin Van Persie indefinitely, and so Thierry Henry offers a solution for the next couple of months. Arsene Wenger, the sage that he is, knows well enough, though, that a proper solution needs to be found in the summer. Theo Walcott and Gervinho do not offer enough in terms of goals from the wide attacking positions and Marouane Chamakh is so devoid of confidence that his brief appearances from the bench usually offer little and simply push him further away from a starting position. Thierry Henry is Arsenal’s greatest ever goalscorer and he recently returned to the Emirates stadium to see a statue, in his image, erected outside the stadium. Thierry Henry truly is an Arsenal legend.