ARSENAL TO UP THEIR BID FOR CABAYE

After Newcastle this afternoon rejected an initial £12,000,000 bid from Arsenal for french playmaker Yohan Cabaye, it is being widely reported that Arsenal will further test Mike Ashley's resolve with an improved bid of £12,000,001.

However, with Arsenal extremely short of options in the centre of midfield, and Arsene Wenger's known admiration of Cabaye's Frenchness, he may be tempted to increase the bid by up to £5 more, if that it what it will take to get his man. Sources close to the club understand that for Wenger to raise the bid by £5, he will insist that Mike Ashley includes a Sports Direct mug in any deal.

If the extra £5 does not ensure a deal can be made, Wenger has identified keeping the money in the bank as an alternative.

An unnamed Newcastle source this afternoon was reported to have wondered what Wenger was smoking.