Rafik Halliche

[SuperStar]

Arsenal have spoken to the agent of Benfica defender Rafik Halliche, according to reports in France. The 23-year-old is currently on holiday after featuring for Algeria at the World Cup, but a meeting has been planned with the players agent to discuss his availability in the coming days.

Halliche joined Benfica after impressing for Algerian outfit Hussein Dey, and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most promising young centre backs. The Portuguese outfit sent him on loan to Nacional for two seasons to gain vital experience, and although he sustained some niggling injuries, Rafik largely impressed.

Arsène Wenger has been commentating on Algeria’s matches during this World Cup, and instructed an official to seek talks with the appropriate representatives. Now, according to sources close to Chronofoot.com, Arsenal have booked Halliche’s agent into a hotel room in North London and want to hold further talks regarding a potential transfer.

It’s thought that the powerful centre half would join fellow youngster Håvard Nordtveit in battling for a first-team place, should the Gunners decide to press on with a bid.

<a class="postlink" href="http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/06/arsenal-seek-meeting-over-benficas-halliche/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/06/arse ... -halliche/</a>

Meanwhile, Arsenal look set to snub Madjid Bougherra in favour of his international team-mate Rafik Halliche.

Bougherra had said to have caught the eye of Arsène Wenger, but with Rangers looking for in excess of £5m, Wenger sees the younger Halliche as a better option.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/celtic-hope-they-have-done-enough-to-convince-sol-campbell-to-sign-as-they-close-in-on-jimmy-bullard-and-cha-du-ri-1.1038144" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl ... -1.1038144</a>

The french source claims that this has come from reliable sources.

I have watched all of Algeria's games in this world cup and some of their qualifying matches/African cup matches, and Halliche really did stand out to me as good defender. He has formed a very solid partnership with Bougherra and Yahia in central defence, which is the strongest part of the Algerian team. To me he seems like a strong defender who can read the game and recover quite well. Also he is usually the defender that stays back while Bougherra goes on runs forward. If, according to the reports, Arsène thinks he will do well at Arsenal, and upon watching him myself, I would like to see him here as well.

 

[SuperStar]

Also, according to this and this, he has attracted interest from West Ham, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart, and also stating he would prefer a move to England or Germany.

 

[Lord Dula]

Really not keen on the bigger built centrebacks is our Arsène

 

[yuvken]

Also, according to this he has attracted interest from West Ham and Stuttgart, but would prefer a move to England.

say no more


hardly seen him, but as I take the kos deal to be done, this looks to me like the 4th CB quest. I was very concerned with that, feeling we need 4 quality CBs. If this impression is right, this could be very good news about the targets we have as a whole, and the standard set for this season.

 

[SuperStar]

hardly seen him, but as I take the kos deal to be done, this looks to me like the 4th CB quest. I was very concerned with that, feeling we need 4 quality CBs. If this impression is right, this could be very good news about the targets we have as a whole, and the standard set for this season.

Yeah I think he would be the perfect 3rd/4th CB. If we go in to next season with Vermaelan, Kos, Djourou, Halliche/New CB, and Song as our CB options, then we would be very much covered for the whole season.

 

[ThaSaltCracka]

I guess I'll ask this here since the YG article mentions Nordveit.... it sounds like he'll be playing with us next season. I didn't realize he was playing as much as he was at Nurnberg. With TV, DJ, Koscielsky, and Nordveit, I'd welcome one more just for cover.

 

[bertlb2]

I guess I'll ask this here since the YG article mentions Nordveit.... it sounds like he'll be playing with us next season. I didn't realize he was playing as much as he was at Nurnberg. With TV, DJ, Koscielsky, and Nordveit, I'd welcome one more just for cover.

Could that be Sol in your opinion? Or Kyle?

 

[Glovegun]

I like Bougherra. Good player.

 

[nidza7]

me too,

shouldn`t whine of weather and talk barca move after 1 year.

 

[Clrnc]

Don't know much about him, if he is better than Bougherra then take him. I just want another CB, any decent ones will do for 3rd 4th backup

 

[eye4goal]

At this moment I would prefer Bougherra (27) for his experience in England and Scotland as well as his versatility. Halliche (23) is a more natural defender to me though. He is very strong aerially and would be a good squad player especially playing against the more physical teams. He is a real fighter.

 

[GoonerGurjit]

Arsenal have made inquiries about Algerian defender Rafik Halliche , as they step up efforts to shore up their defence for next season.

The 23-year-old was on loan at Nacional Funchal from fellow Portuguese side Benfica last season, and played 21 times, scoring one goal from the back.

He helped keep England at bay in the World Cup Group C match a fortnight ago.

West Ham have also been linked with the 6.14ft centre-back, who is valued at €500K-1M.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Arsenal-after-Algerian-defender-Halliche-/8616/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/ ... che-/8616/</a>?

 

[number_0]

Would be a bonus if he can play in RB and midfield.

 

[Lord Dula]

6.14ft? sorry, you're 0.06ft below our requirement

 

[nidza7]

next

 

[SuperStar]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.7amkickoff.com/2010/rafik-halliche-to-arsenal-unlikely/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+7amkickoff+%287amkickoff%29" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.7amkickoff.com/2010/rafik-ha ... kickoff%29</a>" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This makes sense because the original source of the rumor on the french site came only from an Algerian blog. Also the story has been removed from the site chronofoot, which only links him to West Ham. So all the others linking him to Arsenal are getting it from the baseless rumor that was on chronofoot.

Although I still think he would be a good 3rd choice defender that would compete with Djourou .

 

[GoonerGurjit]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3047143/Raf-can-be-a-top-Gunner.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... unner.html</a>

 

[kamikaze80]

do you just surf transfer rumour sites all day??

 

[Lord Dula]

He sure does. That's our gurj bless im

 

[Goons AFC]

I like what I've read about him, and I wouldn't be too upset at him coming, but I just want someone with some more experience at that 3rd/4th spot. Give me Campbell, Carvahlo, Mellberg. I like our youth and the competition, but I'd like a more steady hand in the training and when injuries mount.