Bischoff Feels Arsenal Pull

Arsenal have agreed terms with the highly rated midfielder Amaury Bischoff after the Portugal under-20 international turned down new terms at Werder Bremen. While no compensation fee has been agreed with the Bundesliga club for the 21-year-old, his valuation is likely to be settled by a Uefa transfer tribunal.

Bischoff, whose mother is Portuguese while his father hails from Alsace, had made only one appearance for Werder since joining them three years ago from Racing Club de Strasbourg, but the German club had hoped to retain his services. "Bremen was a superb experience, but Arsenal is a huge opportunity for me," he said. "Wenger has known me since my time at Strasbourg and believes in my quality. He trusts me to be in the first-team. Wenger has not put me under any pressure. He said: 'Take all the time you need.'"

"We would be happy to have Amaury with us still," said the Werder managing director Klaus-Dieter Fischer. "But he has decided to take up a new challenge. We wish him well and thank him for the past three years." The player, a regular in Werder's under-23 set-up, can play across midfield and will join Aaron Ramsey at the Emirates next season, with the Olympique de Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri to follow once the French club confirm the transfer.

Mauro Zárate, the 21-year-old midfielder who left a fine impression after a loan spell at relegated Birmingham City last season, is to sign for Lazio this weekend. Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Nick Carle from Bristol City for £1m with the Australia international expected to replace Ben Watson — who has a year to run on his current contract and has rejected improved terms — at Selhurst Park. Queen's Park Rangers have already had two bids for the midfielder turned down and a third improved offer of around £2m is anticipated, while Reading have also expressed an interest with Watson considered a potential replacement for James Harper.