Arsene Wenger flies to Rome to referee charity match on transfer deadline day

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will spend the final few hours of the transfer window in Rome – refereeing a charity match.

The Frenchman is flying to the Italian capital to take part in a ‘Match For Peace’ being held at Stadio Olympico and featuring current stars Andrea Pirlo, Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho and Gianluigi Buffon as well as legends Diego Maradona, Paolo Maldini and Andriy Shevchenko.

Club sources at the Emirates Stadium insist Wenger’s absence will not affect their ability to close any deadline day deals, though they do not anticipate a busy day in terms of arrivals.

Goal understands, however, that Arsenal have made enquiries for Matija Nastasic, Winston Reid and Ron Vlaar as Wenger looks to secure a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen in the wake of Kostas Manolas’ decision to join Roma.

The Gunners are also on the lookout for a striker and were monitoring Falcao’s situation having lost out on Loic Remy to Chelsea, but the Colombian is now set to join Manchester United on a lucrative one-year loan.

Wenger, however, will be monitoring developments from afar for part of the day at least – and if his mind is elsewhere and he misses a foul, he can always whip out his usual “I did not see the incident” excuse..

(Goal.com)