Arsenal fans are in good spirits heading into the Football Transfer Tavern after The Express revealed that their arch-rivals Tottenham have pulled out of the race to sign Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
The Gunners are now clear favourites to sign the Frenchman after it has been suggested that Spurs have set their sights on Everton midfielder James McCarthy instead.
Mauricio Pochettino sees McCarthy as an adequate alternative as he is not confident that he can lure Schneiderlin from St Mary’s given the Saints’ upturn in fortunes.
Schneiderlin was desperate to leave Saints in the summer after their mass exodus of first team players but it was too late and the board said there would be no more departures.
But since then, he has been an integral part of Ronald Koeman’s side that pulled off an incredible 1-0 win at Manchester United earlier today.
It could be said that Pochettino has not exactly turned his attentions to an easier option in luring McCarthy after Roberto Martinez placed a £25 million price tag on the Republic of Ireland international’s head.
