Arsenal Plot Move For Real Madrid’s Esteban Granero

Arsenal is plotting a move for Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero when the transfer window reopens in January.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is an admirer of the 24-year-old Spaniard and has noted with interest is situation at the Bernabeu.

Granero, who is a product of Los Blancos’ youth academy and had a two-year spell with Getafe before returning "home" has slipped down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.

The midfielder watched Real Madrid add Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop in the summer, while Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao could be used in the engine room Mourinho has confirmed.

And with the likes of Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, Kaka, Mesut Ozil, Sahin and Altintop all vying for spots in Real Madrid’s starting eleven, Granero’s chances of first team football look bleak.

According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Arsenal are planning to take advantage of the situation, well aware that by the time 2012 dawns the midfielder could be looking for the exit door in search of regular first team football.

Real Madrid would not be likely to stand in Granero’s way, though they could insist on a buy-back clause in any deal, similar to that which allowed them to bring the schemer back to the Bernabeu for just €4M in 2009.

Arsenal would have to pay substantially more than that to snap up the Spaniard however.

Newcastle Striker is Set For Shock St James' Park Exit

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is preparing a shock move for Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger, according to reports in the Blackpool Gazette.

Ranger has been with Newcastle since 2009 and has made 49 league appearances for the St James' Park club.

Newcastle were one of the busiest clubs during the course of the summer transfer window, with a number of key players leaving the club including the likes of, Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton.

Even though the transfer window has come to a close, the emergency loan window is now open for Championship clubs and Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston is in talks with the Magpies and is trying to arrange a loan deal for the striker.

Speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, Holloway said: "I don't like talking about other people's players but my chairman has been talking to them constantly though nothing has materialized yet."

Last season the 19-year-old forward made 28 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions and managed to score one goal.

So far this season Blackpool is currently eighth in the Championship with eight points after five games.

Jol Could Renew Gignac Interest

Fulham boss Martin Jol has indicated he will renew his interest in Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.

Fulham failed to complete a deadline day loan swoop for Gignac, 25, after Marseille opted to keep the France international as their attempts to land Juventus attacker Amauri broke down.

Jol, though, has told the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle: "We had the player here and thought we would get him on loan, but Marseille decided they needed him back. We have established a good relationship with the player and club, so we will see what happens in the future."

Fernandes Serious Over Beckham

QPR can offer David Beckham the 'love, care and attention' needed to fulfil his aim of captaining Great Britain at the Olympics next year, according to new owner Tony Fernandes.

Fernandes is willing to provide Beckham with the route he needs, and to expand his global brand beyond that given his connections in the Far East where the 36-year-old is already a phenomenon.

The Malaysian entrepreneur believes Beckham has something to prove to himself with one last hurrah in the Premier League.

It is understood Fernandes has held talks with Beckham's advisors with regards to a move from Los Angeles Galaxy during the January transfer window.

The feedback is that Beckham would prefer Spurs or Arsenal if at all possible, although he has not ruled out QPR given Fernandes' long -term vision for the club.

Fernandes is adamant signing Beckham is not a pie-in-the-sky idea, but a realistic target as he attempts to cement QPR's future in the top flight beyond this season.

"If you look at the five signings we've made we have brought in people who have something to prove," said Lotus team principal Fernandes, speaking in Monza ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

"Shaun Wright-Phillips still feels he can play for England; Joey Barton has a lot to prove; Anton Ferdinand, missing in action at Sunderland, but back in London, home town, things to prove.

"Then we've Luke Young who felt he was deserted early by (England manager Fabio) Capello, and (Armand) Traore was never given a chance at Arsenal by (Arsene) Wenger.

"So we've five new players, and Beckham fits into that mould because he wants to return and captain Britain at the Olympics.

"Environment, love, care and attention - we can offer that to him.

"I'm not sure it's for him, and I'm not sure it will fit him in January. Who knows?

"But I'm an ideas man, and he is an idea. He may not want it, he may want a bigger club. I hear (Spurs manager) Harry Redknapp has said he wants him.

"Ultimately, (manager) Neil (Warnock) has to feel comfortable, but who knows what can happen in January. We will have to wait and see.

"They (Beckham's advisors) want to talk because our vision is a long-term one, with lots of things David can do in Asia with me. It's something we have to work at."

Mancini Desperate To Sign Alessio Cerci

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini remains interested in Fiorentina’s ‘extraordinary’ winger Alessio Cerci after failing to land him during the summer.

Mancini tried to sign the 24-year-old during the recent transfer window, but despite claiming that he was close to striking a deal, the move failed to materialize as Fiorentina apparently had a late change of heart.

Nevertheless, Mancini remains desperate to land a player he has admired for a long time.

"I have followed him since his days at Pisa in the 2007-08 season. He was just 20 but immediately did things that were extraordinary.

"He is one of the few players who are able to win a game on their own. If I could have I would have brought him to the Premier League a year ago.

"We have tried again this summer because I thought he might make an important contribution and mix well with the players here at City.

"But we could not complete the transaction and in all honesty I must say that I understand Fiorentina."

West Ham Want Bridge On Loan

West Ham is keen to bring Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge back to Upton Park.

The Hammers paid Bridge's £80,000-a-week wages when he spent the second-half of last season on loan in East London, but would not be willing to fork out as much this time around.

Sam Allardyce would welcome Bridge, 31, back to the club, but the Championship outfit would want City to subsidize the player's wages if he were to return.

The former England defender does not feature in Roberto Mancini's plans but failed to secure a move away from Eastlands before the transfer window closed. Now City want to off load him back to a Championship side on loan as their only immediate option.

A Hammers source told ESPNsoccernet: "The player may decide not to go. We shall have to wait and see. But West ham actually paid all his wages last year. If he is not in their 25 man squad they'll take anything they can get for him now."

Asamoah Gyan Signs For UAE Side Al-Ain On Loan

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan has signed for United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain on loan.

The Ghanaian joined Sunderland from French club Rennes in August 2010 for £13m.

But on Friday, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce claimed “parasites” turned Gyan’s head after his goal in the 1-1 draw with England at Wembley in March.

And on Saturday it was announced that the striker, 25, was on his way to the UAE.

Bruce said: “Anyone who has seen Asamoah play will know that he hasn’t been himself in recent months. This option suits all parties at the present time and the club is well-protected in the deal.

“Asamoah has three years remaining on his contract and of course my wish would be that he finds his spark again and we see him in red and white stripes next season in the form that first attracted us to him.”

Throughout the transfer window, Gyan was linked with a move to a big European club.

On Friday Bruce blamed agents for turning Gyan’s head.

Groningen Seal Texeira Signing

Striker David Texeira has been granted a work permit to rubber stamp his move to FC Groningen.

Texeira was signed from Defensor Sporting in his homeland during the transfer window and has now been cleared to play for his new employers ahead of Sunday's derby against Heerenveen.

General manager Hans Nijland said: "I understand he just needed the final rubber stamp.

"The fact he can play does not mean he will play, that is of course down to the coaching staff. But it is always a bonus for a player from outside the EU to be available after only 10 days.''

Hiddink To Get £66m From Anzhi

Former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is being chased by Russia's billionaire club, Anzhi Makhachkala, who want to offer him £66million to work for them.

And Hiddink - who was courted again by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich this summer - is keen to accept riches beyond even his wildest dreams.

The Dutchman used to be manager of Russia - and so the Dagestan club are convinced that he is be the ideal man to take them into the European big time.

Although Hiddink is currently manager of Turkey, an incredible salary of £22m a year and a three-year contract would be one he cannot refuse.

And amazingly Suleyman Kerimov, Anzhi's billionaire owner, might still be prepared to wait until next summer to see his new coach in action, should Turkey qualify for Euro 2012.

Only a few days ago, Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was offered a similar world-record salary to jump ship from La Liga in Spain. But 'the Special One' feels he still has unfinished business at the Bernabeu and decided not to accept Anzhi's dream offer.

Now Mourinho's loss is set to become Hiddink's gain. And his appointment, following the recent signature of superstar striker Samuel Eto'o, will announce Anzhi's arrival as a respected player on the European stage.