Arsene Wenger ready to make quadruple swoop for main targets

Arsene Wenger is ready to ring the changes at Arsenal after the club gave the green light for captain Cesc Fabregas to complete his move to Barcelona.

The Gunners have entered into negotiations with the European champions, and expect to receive �35m for the player signed from Barcelona in 2003.

But Wenger has already earmarked a replacement for Fabregas in exciting Argentinian playmaker Ricardo Alvarez, 23, who the Gunners want from Velez Sarsfield in a �12m deal.

And the Frenchman is believed to be ready to bring in �60m worth of talent in the next few weeks, including breaking Arsenal’s transfer record to sign Spanish winger Juan Mata.

The 23-year-old would cost around �20m to prise away from Valencia, but Wenger has had the player scouted regularly over the past year and is now ready to make his move. Wenger is also close to concluding deals for long-term targets Gary Cahill and Gervinho to complete a quartet of big-name summer signings.

Cahill is available for �17m from Bolton, and while Manchester City were thought to be the early favourites for his signature, north London rivals Tottenham have made a late attempt to sign the 25-year-old.

Harry Redknapp offered a cash-plus-players deal to Bolton earlier this week, but England defender Cahill is thought to favour a switch to the Gunners.

The first player to arrive could be Ivory Coast international striker Gervinho, 24, as discussions with French champions Lille have already taken place.

Lille chairman Michel Seydoux admitted: “We know that Gervinho has a personal interest in joining Arsenal,” and is ready to let the 24-year-old join the Gunners for a fee of around �10m.