Arsenal will sign Dutch international Giovanni van Bronckhorst in an £8.5m deal to add to yesterday's £10m swoop for Francis Jeffers, according to reports. Rangers' former Feyenoord star will sign a four-year deal worth £10m to make him the highest-paid player in club history, says the Sun newspaper. Van Bronckhorst is quoted as saying, "Arsenal are a huge club with ambition.
"They have very passionate support, play in the Champions League and contest the big prizes.
"I believe Arsene Wenger is building a team capable of competing with Manchester United."
The arrival of Jeffers and Van Bronckhorst should convince disgruntled Patrick Vieira to stay at Highbury, after he complained about Arsenal's lack of ambition.
Wenger believes that Jeffers can end Arsenal's goalscoring difficulties. "Francis is that `fox in the box' we have been talking about and although he is a goalscorer I want to develop him as a team player so he is not obsessed by just scoring goals.
"But his goals per game ratio is very good for someone of his age."
Jeffers is only the second Englishman signed by Wenger during his five-year spell in north London. The Gunners have not had an outright goal-poacher since compatriot Ian Wright left for West Ham three years ago.
"If I can follow Ian Wright then I can become an instant hero. I have a decent goalscoring record and I hope to continue that," said Jeffers.
Jeffers' arrival will fuel speculation that either Sylvain Wiltord or Kanu may be heading out of Highbury. Wenger is still searching for a goalkeeper and has not given up hope of landing Sol Campbell who has recently had talks with the Gunners.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
