Raffael Eyed By Arsenal For January Transfer

Hertha Berlin star Raffael has emerged as a January transfer target for Arsenal, as Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his struggling squad.

Wenger recruited Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, but having lost Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri to Manchester City, the Gunners boss is keen to bring in another midfielder.

Reports in Germany suggest that man could be Brazilian-born Raffael, who has scored twice in six Bundesliga games on the club's return to the top flight.

The 26-year-old former FC Zurich star, who scored ten goals last season to help Hertha win the second tier of the German league, is under contract until 2014 and would cost the Gunners around £4million.

It is believed Arsenal have been watching the attacking midfielder since the start of the Bundesliga season, with a view to making a bid in January.

News that Jack Wilshere's ankle injury will keep him on the sidelines for months may see Wenger step up his interest in Raffael, even though the England international is optimistic he will be able to return to action at Christmas.

Tottenham, QPR & New York Red Bulls To Fight For Michael Owen

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is reportedly considering making an offer for Man United striker Michael Owen. The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United man is believed to be ready to consider a move away from Old Trafford in order to pursue regular first team football and could be tempted into a move to the capital where newly promoted QPR are also said to be plotting a bid for the 31 year old.

White Hart Lane boss Redknapp has seen two of last season’s striking quartet, Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane, leave for Stoke City and LA Galaxy respectively and now the North London boss is looking to beef up his attacking options to add to his loan capture of Emmanuel Adebayor.

Roman Pavlyuchenko has failed to impress thus far this season but England international Jermain Defoe has struck three goals in four Premier League appearances but Redknapp feels he needs further support to help the club break back into the top four as well as mounting concerted campaigns to win a cup trophy this season.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes is also keeping a close eye on the experienced striker and could make a move to bring the high profile signing to Loftus Road having helped to land Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Anton Ferdinand, among others, during the summer transfer window.

Neil Warnock could well do with an injection of firepower having seen his West London side net just four goals in five games and the signing of Owen could be just the kind of deal that could help secure the Super Hoops presence in the English top tier and therefore his high wage demands would be well worth forking out for, not least as any fee to be paid to Man United is likely to be nominal given that the former England international’s contract comes to an end next summer.

MLS side New York Red Bulls as the third club ready to make inquiries about the Man United man and a move to the States may appeal to Michael Owen as a potential new challenge and one that could be very lucrative for the striker.

Sir Alex Ferguson may well be willing to allow Owen to leave given the emergence of Danny Welbeck on the scene and the flourishing partnership of Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney up front.

Newcastle & Sunderland Battle To Sign Sochaux Striker

Rivals Newcastle and Sunderland face a January showdown for Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga.

The Black Cats are poised to go head-to-head with their neighbours over the 23-year-old Mali star.

Newcastle was bitterly disappointed not to land him before the August transfer window closed.

Maiga, who was involved in a strike row with his club in August, is determined to land a dream move to the Premier League and named Newcastle as his preferred destination.

But the Black Cats interest could spark a North-East bidding war.

Newcastle thought they had all but completed a £7m deal for Maiga before Sochaux began playing hard ball over the fee.

But Bruce is keen to add another striker to his squad, despite securing Niklas Bendtner on loan from Arsenal as cover for Asamoah Gyan.

Tottenham Hotspur Linked With Rodrigo Palacio

Tottenham Hotspur is showing an interest in Genoa forward Rodrigo Palacio.

The 29-year-old joined the Rossoblu in 2009 from Argentine giants Boca Juniors and has impressed in Serie A with form that led Inter to make an attempt to convince Genoa to part with their jewel in the summer.

At one point it did seem that Palacio would head to join the Nerazzurri as a replacement for Anzhi Makhachkala bound Samuel Eto’o, but the proposed deal fell apart and Genoa increased the forward’s wages and contract length.

The Serie A club though looks likely to have to resist an approach from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in January if Palacio is to end the season at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Sources have indicated that Spurs have been impressed with the Argentine, although the White Hart Lane outfit has yet to make an official offer.

Palacio would be likely to be attracted by the opportunity to move to the Premier League and compete in Europe on a regular basis.

Renewed interest in the forward from Inter however, now coached by Claudio Ranieri, also cannot be ruled out.

Juventus & Inter Track Robin van Persie

Serie A giants Juventus and Inter have paid attention to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s admission that Dutch striker Robin van Persie could leave the club.

Wenger confirmed that Van Persie, along with Theo Walcott, Thomas Vermaelen and Andrei Arshavin could all potentially be sold at the end of the season if they refused to sign new contracts within the Gunners’ wage ceiling.

The loss that threatens to cast the biggest shadow over Arsenal is Van Persie, with the Holland international having seen Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri pick up bumper pay rises upon leaving the Emirates over the summer.

Should Van Persie push to leave Arsenal then there will be no shortage of suitors for his signature.

And sources in Italy confirm that both Juventus and Inter will be amongst them, although the pair are not planning to wait until next summer to test the water – the Bianconeri and Nerazzurri are lining up January transfer window bids for the Arsenal man.

Wenger may then be faced with a big decision to make in January when bids from Italy arrive.

While Van Persie would still be worth north of £20M at the end of the season, the winter transfer window could be the Gunners’ best opportunity to realize top dollar for the 28-year-old if it is understood his wage demands as part of a new contract will not be able to be accommodated.

Arsenal To Move For £15m French International Star

Arsenal is reportedly preparing a January swoop for Yann M'Vila after missing out on the Rennes defensive midfielder in the summer, according to Footy Bunker.

The Gunners made a late move for the 21-year-old, but were rebuffed by the French side, who were holding out for more money.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is a keen admirer of the French international, and believes that his tenacious play will add a touch of steel to a misguided Arsenal midfield.

With the north London side struggling to find consistent form this season, question marks are surrounding Wenger's current crop of players.

The club is believed to be planning a £15 million bid for M'Vila, having spent little of the combined £50 million they received through the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri over the summer.

Everton Want Manchester United Midfielder In January

Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson only just missed out on sealing a move to Sunderland during the summer but it is now Everton who have identified the player as a potential January signing.

The Republic of Ireland international was hoping to secure a move away from Old Trafford where he has fallen behind the likes of Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Michael Carrick.

However, a deal with Sunderland fell through at the final hour and Gibson has now been forced to sit on the bench, or on some occasions not even make the match day squad, as United have won every league game so far this season.

Everton meanwhile had a difficult summer in which they were forced to sell Mikel Arteta to Arsenal, while finances dictated that manager David Moyes could not spend big money to bring players to the club.

Moyes is now hoping to persuade Manchester United to loan the player to Everton in January where he will almost certainly be given the chance to gain first team football.

The 23-year-old has fallen out of favour at United but still has a reputation as a goal scoring midfielder who would almost certainly be able to gain regular football away from old Trafford.

Manchester United Considering Shock Move For Spanish International

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up VIllarreal midfielder Bruno Soriano, with a view to a move.

United scouts have been monitoring the performances of the 27-year-old, who has displayed some impressive performances of late.

Spanish Radio station Cadena Ser suggests that United are weighing up whether to make an official move for the player in January.

While United are thought to bid around €10 million for the Spanish International, Villarreal are reluctant to lose a player who came through the ranks at El Madrigal.

It is the versatility of Soriano which has attracted the Premier League champions, who can operate as a competent left-back, despite being primarily used as a defensive midfielder.

With question marks surrounding the future of Michael Carrick, and Darren Fletcher still struggling after an extended absence through illness, Soriano looks like an astute target.

Arsenal Looking At Brighton’s Defender Lewis Dunk

Arsenal is reportedly considering a bid to secure the services of Brighton and Hove Albion’s highly-rated defender Lewis Dunk.

According to The Daily Mail, an Arsenal scout was watching in the stands as Gus Poyet’s side went out of the League Cup in midweek in a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.

The towering 19-year-old defender remained on the bench throughout the game, although reports suggest that Arsenal will continue to keep tabs on a player who previously captained the Brighton youth team as manager Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his faltering defence.

Another name the north London club has been linked with is 14-year-old Spanish full-back Guim Laporta.

Laporta, who is the son of former Barcelona president Joan, has been highlighted by Wenger as being an exciting prospect for the future.

Ibrahim Afellay Injury Ends Spurs' January Transfer Hopes

Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay has suffered a serious knee injury - potentially disrupting the transfer plans of both Spurs and Arsenal.

The Dutchman, who was a target for Tottenham over the summer, is to undergo surgery after tearing a cruciate ligament in his left knee during training on Thursday.

Afellay is expected to be out of action for at least six months, but could miss the whole of the rest of the season.

Either way, the injury will prevent Spurs renewing their attempts to sign the 25-year-old when the January transfer window opens.

The Tottenham board had asked about the former PSV Eindhoven winger's availability, as it was thought he would be surplus to requirements once Barca had completed deals for Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez.

He has played just twice this season, but with Andres Iniesta and Sanchez both also out injured, Barca is now short of cover in midfield.

That will mean a bigger role for 20-year-old Thiago Alcantara, who Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had wanted to sign.

Wenger tried to take the youngster as part of the deal that saw Fabregas return to Barcelona and still has ambitions to tempt the rising star to the Emirates Stadium.

Milan Prepare Amauri Swoop

Milan’s striker shortage is likely to prompt a January offer for Juventus outcast Amauri.

The Rossoneri have only Antonio Cassano and Stephan El Shaarawy available for Saturday’s game with Cesena.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato, Robinho and Kevin-Prince Boateng are all injured, while Pippo Inzaghi has not played a full match in 10 months.

The Corriere dello Sport suggests they will make a January swoop for Amauri to strengthen their attack.

The Brazilian, who plays his international football for Italy, is frozen out of the Juventus squad.

His contract expires at the end of the season, but he rejected all transfers to France and Turkey over the summer.

Juve were furious and consider him to be a huge weight on their wage bill, so they would welcome an offer from Milan.