Barclays English Premier League
Gunners want Reyes exchange
The Guardian
Arsenal were last night on the brink of a swap deal that will see Jose Antonio Reyes move to Real Madrid in exchange for Julio Baptista, the Brazilian who rejected a move to the club a year ago. Arsene Wenger looks set to finally land the 24-year-old, who can play in central midfield and in attack.A deal has effectively been agreed that will see Reyes and Baptista switch on season-long loans. Reyes would be delighted to join Madrid, his preferred destination and Arsenal have convinced Baptista to come to the Premiership this time. He has suggested he would like to stay at Real but has been told he would get almost no chance to play under Fabio Capello. The deal could have ramifications for Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have agreed in principal to take Bulgaria's Martin Petrov on a season's loan from Atletico Madrid but the deal will only go through if Atletico sign a replacement on the left wing and Reyes was their primary target. Tottenham may still get the chance to sign Petrov because Atletico are lining up a 5-million-euro back-up bid for the Valencia winger Mario Regueiro. However, Spurs are keeping their options open and have looked into taking Harry Kewell from Liverpool. An initial approach to get the Australian on loan was rejected yesterday but Kewell will be allowed to leave at the right price. Reyes is desperate to return to Spain but Arsenal delayed responding to Atletico's offer for him worth a potential 20-million-euro (13.4 million pounds) as they sought to use the 22-year-old to capture Baptista. Wenger wanted Baptista for attacking thrust from central midfield but the player can also operate as a central striker or in a wider position. He would need a work permit because he does not have a Spanish passport, though he has applied for one after living there since 2003. He has not been a regular for Brazil over the past year but can expect to be granted a permit. Ashley Cole has resigned himself to staying at Arsenal at least until January, having reached deadline day without his move to Chelsea materialising. The left-back is convinced a transfer has collapsed over the asking price and sees no chance of an agreement being struck, the clubs having gone almost a week without speaking. Tottenham expect to complete the signing of Fulham's Steed Malbranque for 2.5 million dollars, with Wayne Routledge going the other way on a season's loan. Lee Young-pyo has rejected a move from Spurs to Roma for what his agent described as "personal reasons".
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