Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro has confirmed to Arseblog News that Arsenal Women are in negotiating a move for Japanese World Cup winning attacking midfielder Mana Iwabuchi. Montemurro had tried to sign Iwabuchi twice before, telling Arseblog News in February, “Mana was a player of interest to me for around 18 months or so. Firstly we had a few challenges with her national team who wanted their players in and around Japan for the World Cup and then the Olympics.”
Our information was that Arsenal were close to a deal, as we suggested in this news story last week. The Telegraph’s Tom Garry also reported that Arsenal were moving for the ex-Bayern playmaker and close friend of Lisa Evans and Vivianne Miedema.
Some transfer news: I'm told Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Japan's Mana Iwabuchi. The World Cup winner has been at AVFC since Christmas. Terrific footballer. Understand she's likely to replace Jill Roord, who joined Wolfsburg today. More on @WomensSport @TeleFootball
— Tom Garry (@TomJGarry) May 10, 2021
Arseblog News asked Joe Montemurro about the potential transfer in his Friday press conference and the Gunners boss confirmed, “She is a player we have been after for a couple of years and the negotiations are close and I hope that the club will get it over the line.”
Montemurro will take his final game as Arsenal coach against Crystal Palace on Sunday at 3pm and the game will be streamed live on Arsenal.com. You can also read our exclusive interview with Joe, looking back at his three and a half year tenure here.
https://t.co/unNK6YONat exclusive! I looked back with Joe Montemurro over his three and a half years at AWFC through the prism of five key games. The foundations, bringing the belief back, the trophies, the injuries, processing the disappointments and looking to the future. #AWFC
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) May 14, 2021
This is good news.
Worst kept secret in women’s football?
Awesome, get it done!
Arsenal needs to back the womens team with specialized coaches and players. We need to protest or write emails to the ceo and the owners!!! #COYG
Not sure that will make any difference TBH but Carla Ward is well respected and available now since we missed out on Jayne Ludlow and Casey Stoney. Carla has performed miracles at Birmingham with what she was given to work with and she already knows what Ruby Mace is capable of!