Reports today suggest that Arsenal may be about to make a bid for Richard Wright. Arsene Wenger is said to be a long-time admirer of Wright and sees him as an ideal replacement for 37-year-old David Seaman. Town would look for a fee of £4 million and above for the full international keeper transfer-listed this week. One report claims that Alex Manninger may come to Town as a make-weight in a deal for Wright, although this seems to be pure press speculation. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, linked with Wright despite his statement yesterday saying he had made no contact with club, player or agent Jonathan Barnett, looks likely to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile Jonathan Barnett has continued his campaign to become the least popular man in Suffolk. The man who is agent to Richard Wright, Kieron Dyer and Matt Holland, now claims that Town will be relegated if they don't spend £35 million on players over the summer: "Richard wants to play in Europe and for England. Statistically teams which get promoted go straight back down. Richard doesn't want that to happen but unless they spend something like £35 million I think that is a possibility." The agent also claimed that Richard Wright would not change his mind and sign an extended contract with Town. Wright is currently on holiday and therefore has made no comment. It will be interesting to see his reaction to Mr Barnett's recent statements on his return. We'd quite like to hear what Matt Holland and Kieron Dyer have to say about Mr Barnett's behaviour and statements over the last week or so too.