Apparently negotiations are under way for Arsenal to sign Lyon's Sebastien Squillaci. The 27-year-old defender may not move until the summer, but a deal appears to be in the works.

With Johan Djourou out injured and Kolo Toure away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Arsene Wenger might have felt the need to make a move. After all, Philippe Senderos is not the quickest of centre-backs and if Arsenal want to keep up the title challenge they might have to think about signing someone - especially after the way the defence performed against Tottenham in the Carling Cup.

If someone else was to go down injured, the central replacement would most likely be Gilberto Silva, a midfielder, or Bakary Sagna, who is more of an attacking full-back.

'Although Arsene Wenger has been saying that a January signing is unlikely, he may have changed his tune'


Squillaci is a talented centre-back who is not bad in the air. He has enjoyed a lot of success since moving to Lyon, and has constantly been linked with a move to the Premier League. He might find a switch to Arsenal to his liking as he already knows Emmanuel Adebayor from his playing days at Monaco.

Although Wenger has been saying that a January signing is unlikely, he may have changed his tune in view of the clear lack in depth at centre-back right now.

This move seems to carry more credibility than many of the rumours in circulation because of the actual need.  However, I cannot see this particular move working in Arsenal's favour. Djourou should have recovered from injury soon and Toure will also be back in the next two weeks. This would relegate Squillaci to the bench and he would not be a part of Arsenal's future plans because he is not particularly young.

A more sensible move would be to sign a youthful replacement as cover who could also spend a couple of seasons on the bench while progressing. If Wenger is planning to spend money on a veteran defender (which I believe he should not do), it should at least be on someone who can contribute more than the occasional appearance.

The right signing would be someone who is very young and full of potential but also somewhat proven so that they could step in for a few games and be decent.