Arsenal Plot January Move For Fiorentina Ace

Arsenal is lining up a January move for Fiorentina midfielder Juan Manuel Vargas, according to reports in Italy.

Arsene Wenger was linked with a move for the gifted Peruvian during the summer transfer window but made no bid for him.

But now reports in Italy claim the Gunners are preparing to go back for him in the New Year.

The 27-year-old, who can play on the left of midfield or defence, has been one of the Serie A side's outstanding performers since his arrival in 2008.

Vargas has two years left on his contract but it is thought Fiorentina would be willing to sell for around £13m when the window opens in January.

Chelsea Plot £20m Swoop For Everton Wonderkid

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is planning a sensational £20m bid for Everton wonderkid Ross Barkley, according to the Daily Mirror.

Villas-Boas has ordered his scouts to find him top young talent as he looks to dismantle Chelsea’s ageing squad within the next 18 months.

Barkley has now been identified as a priority target for the Blues when the transfer window reopens in January.

The 18-year-old has been highly impressive for David Moyes' senior side this season, which has seen the youngster become arguably Britain’s brightest talent.

But Moyes will do his utmost to keep Barkley as Chelsea prepares a big-money offer having failed with an approach for the teenager in January.

Everton sold Wayne Rooney to Manchester United at a similar age in 2004, and it would take a huge fee to sell Barkley, despite all of their financial problems.

Manchester United boss are also believed to be keen on the youngster but Chelsea look set to intensify their efforts to sign him.

Manchester City Line Up January Move For Midfield Ace

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is planning to make a January swoop for Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, according to the Sun.

The Italian is a keen admirer of De Rossi, and was keen to try and bring him to the Etihad Stadium during the summer but the clubs owners blocked a move as they looked to comply with UEFA's new financial fair play rules which come into effect from next season.

That led to the club signing Owen Hargreaves on a free transfer instead, but after witnessing his team blow a 2-0 lead against Fulham at the weekend, Mancini is determined to secure De Rossi's signature, and has made him his number one target for the January transfer window.

Mancini blamed a lack of depth in midfield as the reason for his side surrendering their lead at Craven Cottage, and although De Rossi is out of contract next summer, Mancini is reportedly so keen to bolster his midfield that he would be willing to pay up to £8m for the player.

Over the summer Roma were demanding £25m price tag on De Rossi, but talks over a new deal have since stalled which could mean they're willing to consider letting him leave in January rather than risk him leaving for free.

In the summer Mancini said: "De Rossi would be absolutely perfect. I rate him one of the best midfielders in the world."

The Italian international is demanding £170,000 a week to sign a new deal at Roma, but Manchester City would be much more willing to offer such lucrative terms than the Italian giants.

Arsenal Renew Transfer Pursuit Of Inter Milan Playmaker

Arsenal will look to sign Inter Milan playmaker Ricardo Alvarez as again newspaper reports attempt to replace Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri on behalf of the club.

Abola in Portugal claim that Arsene Wenger has made enquiries about the availability of Alvarez, despite having missed out on the Argentina international to Inter Milan earlier in the summer.

It is safe to say that Ricky Alvarez - as he prefers to be known - has not had the best start to his career at Internazionale though.

Should Abola's report be accurate, Arsenal already believes they can tempt Inter into moving him on.

Alvarez, 23, can play in attacking midfield either centrally or on the left wing, and at 6'2" offers a height no other Arsenal midfielder currently has.

However, his struggles in Serie A will not fill Arsenal with confidence with regard to a future transfer, and his signing would have to be considered a gamble.

His Italian heritage means a work permit would not be an issue.

Tottenham Ready To Sign Swiss Stopper

Tottenham are considering a move for Switzerland goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, according to the Daily Mail.

Speculation over the future of Jakupovic has grown recently after his club Olympiakos Volos was relegated to Greeces amateur league for their part in a match-fixing scandal

Initially, Volos thought they had been reprieved and were shocked to learn they had been condemned to the Delta Ethniki - meaning all their players are now available for free transfers.

Jakupovic was linked with Everton and Newcastle in the summer but Spurs are now understood to be leading the chase for the highly-rated stopper.

In 2009, the 26-year-old had trials with Tottenham as a Lokomotiv Moscow player but the clubs failed to agree a fee.

Tottenham are scouring the market for a replacement for Heurelho Gomes, who has grown frustrated after losing his number one spot to Brad Friedel.

Liverpool & Inter Milan In Transfer Tussle For Belgian Star

Liverpool and Inter Milan are leading the chase for Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, according to talkSPORT.

The Belgian International, who has been previously linked with Arsenal, is quickly becoming one of the most sought after central defenders in Europe and was watched by a number of scouts during the Champions League game against Lyon last week.

Reports in Holland claim that Liverpool and Inter are now favourites to sign the 24-year-old when the transfer window re-opens in January after making early enquiries with the Amsterdam club.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is keen to bolster his backline with the capture of the classy stopper and help the Reds return to the top four this season.

But Ajax are keen to keep Vertonghen at the club and will be hoping a decent run in the Champions League can persuade him to remain with the Dutch giants.

Chelsea Striker Ponders MLS Switch

Nicolas Anelka came close to signing for a Major League Soccer franchise in the summer and could still yet make a move to America, according to one of his representatives.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas recently revealed he expected the French striker to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The 32-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the MLS in August and, while a move failed to materialize, his camp has confirmed the US could very well be his next destination.

"I can confirm that Nicolas is still possibly interested in pursuing an MLS career," Michael Wiesenfeld told Goal.com, who is part of European Football Group, an organization which will represent Anelka should he join MLS.

"He got very close to landing a nice contract with a team on the West Coast in August. He also has opportunities elsewhere in the world."

It is understood that Anelka almost joined Los Angeles Galaxy, who instead used their third Designated Player spot to bring in Robbie Keane for a reported salary of 3.4 million dollars per season.

Celtic Plan January Move For Arsenal Winger

Celtic are reportedly hoping to sign Arsenal teenager Ryo Miyaichi on loan when the transfer window reopens in January.

According to The Mirror, the Glasgow giants are closely monitoring the situation of the 18-year-old, who is considered as one of the most exciting footballing talents to have emerged from Japan in recent memory.

Celtic are said to be keen to offer Miyaichi an opportunity to further is development, and Neil Lennon will attempt to bring the youngster to Celtic Park during the new year.

Miyaichi finalized his move to Arsenal after finishing his studies earlier this year, but was immediately sent out on loan to Feyenoord in as the Gunners attempted to obtain him a work visa.

The young attacker has since been permitted to play for Arsenal but has yet to make his competitive first-team bow for Arsene Wenger's side.

Capdevila Eyes January Switch

Spanish international Joan Capdevila is already being strongly linked with a move away from Benfica.

The 33-year-old joined the Portuguese giants in the summer from Villarreal on a two-year deal.

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus is not a fan of Capdevila and did not even include him in their UEFA Champions League squad.

He was connected with a move to Italy with Juventus and Napoli both linked prior to his switch to Portugal.

But now his agent has confirmed that their interest could be reignited.

"There is interest from some clubs," Horacio Gaggioli told Radio Renascena.

"But I need to speak with Benfica and I will attend a meeting in Lisbon this week."