Arsenal shatter transfer record

ENLGISH LEAGUE CUP/Middlesbrough v Arsenal: Arsenal will today complete the £20 million signing of the Sevilla forward Jose Antonio Reyes, a purchase which shatters their transfer record.

The Spanish international arrived in London last night to undergo a medical at Arsenal's London Colney training ground before today clearing up the formalities on a four-year deal.

Arsene Wenger has put his entire available transfer budget into securing Reyes, but insisted the club would not have to pay the whole fee at once. It is understood a £9 million down-payment will be made to Sevilla, with the balance contingent on appearances, the number of trophies Arsenal win, and his international caps.

"We have a game based on movement, technique and pace, and he has all of that," said Wenger of a player he is set to present with the number nine shirt. "He is a good investment as he's 20 and is already an international.

"He can play everywhere, up front, on the left flank or even on the right, like any good offensive player. He can be adaptable and replace everybody, so we'll use him wherever we feel that we need him.

"If we buy a player, it's because we can afford him. When we buy young players we make (the price) conditional on achievements, success and all that."

Though the transfer follows 12 months pursuit of Reyes, it will surprise Arsenal's fans after their manager had declared only a "20 per cent chance" of any signings this month.

Those odds shortened after the injury to Sylvain Wiltord - Arsenal's previous record signing at £13 million - proved worse than first thought.

Jeremie Aliadiere's recent knee ligament injury also accelerated the signing, and with Nwankwo Kanu and Wiltord set to leave Highbury when their contracts expire this summer and Francis Jeffers' Arsenal career seemingly at an end, there was an urgent need to find a partner for Thierry Henry.

Reyes' versatility also ensures he will provide support on the left beyond the expiry of Robert Pires' contract in 2006 and, with Sevilla not playing in Europe this season, Wenger will have seen as an additional benefit the Spaniard's availability for the Champions League.

Meanwhile, teenagers David Bentley and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie are set to form Arsenal's inexperienced attack in tonight's game against Middlesbrough.

Even though Arsenal trail 1-0, the Gunners face the task of hauling themselves back into contention with a strikeforce with a combined age of just 36.

Arsene Wenger will rest not only Henry but also Dennis Bergkamp at the Riverside, while Fredrik Ljungberg is ruled out by a rib injury.

Patrick Vieira should partner Gilberto Silva in central midfield, while Robert Pires has an outside chance of featuring on the left flank.

Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Jens Lehmann will also be rested from a defence already missing Pascal Cygan due to an ankle problem. That leaves Martin Keown to partner Kolo Toure, with Gael Clichy and probably Lauren at full back.

It is nevertheless in attack where Arsenal will have the least experience, with Kanu at the African Nations' Cup finals, while Aliadiere and Wiltord are still injured.

Bergkamp, meanwhile, will be rested as he only returned from a five-week injury absence last weekend against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup and is unable to fly up to the north-east with the rest of the squad.

The pitch at the Riverside has been covered to protect it from forecast snowfall in the north-east, although manager Steve McClaren's more immediate concern revolves around injuries to some of his key players.

Gareth Southgate and central defensive partner Ugo Ehiogu remain doubts with hamstring and groin injuries respectively, while understudy Colin Cooper is definitely out with a hamstring problem. - Guardian Service