ARSENAL midfielder Alexander Hleb is at the centre of a transfer storm, writes Russell Greaves. Media reports have revealed that Hleb met with top Inter Milan officials just hours before the Gunners crucial Champions League clash with AC Milan.
The Belarus international is reported to be top of the San Siro club's wish list of summer transfer targets. Despite having a contract at The Emirates until 2010 he may be yet be persuaded to follow the example set by former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira and jump ship to Inter.
Hleb, 26, has played a major part in Arsene Wenger's plans this season, helping the north London club to second in the table and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. indeed he was on sparkling form in Arsenal's historic victory in that competition a fortnight ago, as a 2-0 win bestowed the Gunners with the honour of becoming the first English side to beat seven times European Cup winners Milan in the San Siro.
Arsene Wenger is said to know of the meeting and will doubtlessly be unhappy that one of his top players is being distracted from the pressing issue of attempting to close in on a Premier League and Champions League double.
These allegations of ''tapping-up'' are not new to either the player or the club. Arsenal famously cried foul over the acrimonious Ashley Cole transfer to rivals Chelsea.
And Hleb had a secret meeting with Hamburg director Michael Schroeder in February, 2006 at a London restaurant, seven months after he joined Arsenal from Stuttgart for £9million.
Agent Vicenzo Morabito, who brokers many of Inter's transfers, was quick to quash the rumours, suggesting that Hleb had merely gone for ''an ice cream'' with his associate Claudio Vigorelli and had not met with Inter Milan.
Morabito said: "It's true that Hleb saw Vigorelli and they went out of the hotel, but it's not true that they went to talk to Inter Milan. They went out for an ice cream.
"We are sorry that Mr Wenger took it badly and complained, because we have a good relationship with him. But they did not go to talk to Inter Milan."
The player's agent, Uli Ferber, said his client was happy at Arsenal and did not want to comment on the speculation. However, with Spanish champions Barcelona also eyeing a potential move for Hleb, Wenger may have a battle on his hands to keep hold of the midfielder.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article