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Arsene Wenger ups Phil Jagielka bid
ARSENAL will this week increase their £12million bid for Everton’s England defender Phil Jagielka as under-fire boss Arsene Wenger looks to reinforce his back four.
Wenger’s critics have urged the Frenchman to install a proven Premier League character in the mould of Tony Adams to help bring greater stability to a suspect defence.
Jagielka, who has become a regular in Fabio Capello’s England squad, is Wenger’s first choice ahead of Blackburn’s Chris Samba and Bolton’s Gary Cahill.
The opening offer of £12m – the same as Wenger made 12 months ago – was rejected.
But the Gunners will be back once Everton boss David Moyes is back behind his training ground desk on Tuesday, following the club’s pre-season trip to the USA.
Moyes – who must sell before he can buy – will allow the 28-year-old to leave if Arsenal offer around £17m.