Gunners And Toon Chasing French Wonderkid Striker

M’Baye Niang looks set for a transfer tug-of-war in January, according to the Guardian, with both Arsenal and Newcastle hoping to land the wonderkid in the next transfer window.

At just 16-years-old, Niang has shown great potential for both Ligue 1 side Caen and the France Under-21s national team.

Arsenal and Newcastle both have a particular preference for French players, with the clubs boasting tight ties with clubs throughout the country.

And while Niang would be a perfect fit for Arsenal’s youth policy, Newcastle are hoping to bring the youngster in to create a long-term future for the side.

The Toon have made a large amount of signings over the summer, including four Frenchman, and let go of big players including Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan. The side took a very new look when they ran on to the pitch for their opening match this season, and Alan Pardew is clearly hoping to build a legacy at Newcastle that can be sustained in both the short and long term.

But Arsenal have a bigger budget than Newcastle, despite the Toon still holding on to the majority of the £35 million from Andy Carroll’s sale, and the Gunners will be hoping that with the offer of Champions League football, Niang will prefer a move to the Emirates.

Dalglish Sends Scouts For £18m United Target

Kenny Dalglish has sent scouts to check on Shinji Kagawa, Talksport claims, as the Manchester United target continues to star for Borussia Dortmund.

At just 22-years-old, Kagawa has long been attracting attention from numerous European clubs, including Juventus and AC Milan.

And while United were thought to be front runners to sign the Japan international, should Liverpool make the Champions League this season, they could also be in the mix when the next summer transfer window rolls around.

The website is claiming that Liverpool and United would have to fork out £18 million to coax Kagawa into a move. While United were very keen in the past, they have cooled their interest in recent months, giving Liverpool confidence that they may be able to land their man.

Kagawa’s contract with Dortmund runs out in 2013, so next summer transfer speculation will no doubt be surrounding the starlet as he decides where his future lies.

Liveprool have been encouraged by sponsors Standard Chartered to sign more Asian players in order to grow their publicity in that region, and Kagawa could be the perfect fit in terms of skills and marketability.

Redknapp Sends Scouts To Cast Eye Over Spanish Keeper

Tottenham are reportedly tracking Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Roberto Jiminez as Harry Redknapp looks to replace the outgoing Heurelho Gomes.

Redknapp has admitted in recent weeks that Brazilian 'keeper Gomes could be on his way out in the January transfer window after losing his place to Brad Friedel, signed from Aston Villa, this season.

And despite having Carlo Cudicini as his number two, the English manager is eager to recruit another stopper.

According to tribalfootball.com, scouts from Spurs are monitoring £8m-rated Jiminez with the view of making a move next summer.

The 25-year-old Spaniard returned to Spain following a mixed time in Portugal with Benfica. However, the start to his second stint in his homeland has begun well.

Arsenal Set To See Off Man City In Race To Sign Whiz Kid

Arsenal is monitoring the progress of one of their former academy players, 17-year old Watford defender Tommie Hoban.

Hoban is in the second year of a scholarship at Watford, but he has already signed professional terms to protect both his and Watford’s interests. He made his Hornets debut in the final game of last season, away to Preston, which is his only appearance to date.

A source close to Watford said that Arsenal scouts were at their Academy game on Saturday when they defeated Birmingham City 2-0 and have been keeping a close eye on the teenager after a string of fine performances for both club and country.

Hoban is currently in Bulgaria with the Republic of Ireland Under-19′s, after impressing for the Under-17′s for whom he has played six times. He also made his Under-19 debut earlier this season, away to Serbia, and helped his side to an impressive 1-0 victory.

Manchester City are also expressing an interest as they look to strengthen their youth policy, but it looks as if Arsenal are the front runners to sign the teenager.

Everton Striker Wanted By Portuguese Giants

Everton fans are yet to see much of striker Joao Silva and it appears as though they may never have the opportunity to watch him in the Premier League after Portuguese side Benfica were linked with the forward.

The 21-year-old was signed in the summer of 2010 from Alves, a second division side in Portugal, on a three-year contract but was instantly loaned back to Portugal where he moved to U.D Leiria.

He made 12 appearances for the club, scoring four goals, including grabbing a brace in a 3-3 draw with Benfica.

Silva was once again sent back to the Portuguese top division, this time to play for Vitoria de Setubal on a season long loan deal were he has impressed many with his confident displays.

The youngster scored on his debut for the club and has since gone on to grab two goals in his first four games.

The Portugal Under-21 international is yet to make an appearance for Everton and is now attracting interest from Benfica who are keen to bring the striker back to Portugal on a permanent deal.

The youngster has previously stated that he would consider leaving Goodison Park is he "receives assurances of first-team football elsewhere".

Liverpool To Beat Arsenal In Sensational Move For German International

Long term Arsenal target Mario Gotze could be set for a sensational move to Premier League rivals Liverpool.

There are reports coming out of Germany suggesting Gotze could leave as soon as January, despite earlier claims that the German international would remain at Borussia Dortmund for the next two seasons.

Only last month Volker Struth, who is Gotze’s agent said, “Mario will stay at Dortmund for sure the next two years. There is no chance of him going to another club.”

According to the German press Liverpool scouts have been casting their eye over the teenager in recent games, as Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is desperate to bring Champions League football back to Anfield.

Arsenal were rumoured to have had a bid of £35million turned down for Gotze during the summer, and should Liverpool want the German international a sum of equal value would be needed to secure his services.

Arsenal Will Make Another Swoop For Yann M'Vila

Arsenal will make another move for Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila in the January transfer window after failing with their bid to capture him in August, Goal.com can reveal.

Arsene Wenger has identified the France international as his key target and has accelerated plans to bring the midfield anchorman to the Emirates Stadium after receiving the news last week that Jack Wilshere will be on the sidelines for five months.

Arsenal is prepared to shatter their transfer record to land M’Vila by bidding in excess of €29 million (£25m) for the 21-year-old.

The Gunners were named by Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti as one of four Champions League clubs to make offers of “around €30m [£26.5m]” for the player in August.

Arsenal’s scouting team have continued to keep close tabs on the player, who has started all nine of Rennes’ Ligue 1 matches this season and is set to add to his 13 international caps when France take on Albania on Friday and Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later in their Euro 2012 qualifiers.

M’Vila is contracted to Rennes until 2015 but Arsenal believe there is a strong will on the player’s behalf to follow what is a well-trodden path from Ligue 1 to north London. The French club was unwilling to sell the midfield enforcer in the final days of the August window because they had no time to find an adequate replacement.

Wenger will rotate Mikel Arteta, Alex Song and Aaron Ramsey with rookies Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin in the three central midfield berths between now and January.

But Goal.com understands that Wenger is privately concerned about how much of an impact Wilshere will have this season as the manager attempts to end the club’s six-year trophy drought.

Even if Wilshere’s recovery from ankle surgery last week goes smoothly and it corresponds to the 22-week schedule mapped out by the club’s medical department, by the time the teenager returns to the team in late February or early March, he will have been out for seven months in total.

Everton Signs Wonderkid

For Everton to be able to afford decent players these days, it would seem we have to nab them fairly early on in their development.

This is most definitely the case when discussing latest signing George Green from Bradford who is just 15-years-old.

League Two side Bradford will receive an up front payment of around £350,000, but the fee after add-ons etc could raise to as much as £1.75million according to British tabloid The Sun.

The red top also speculates that we have beaten off competition from German giants Bayern Munich, whose scouts must be working over time in the lower leagues of England having already taken Dale Jennings from League One side Tranmere.

Scottish side Rangers and Premier League side Newcastle were also showing an interest, whilst Spurs even had him on trial two weeks ago where he scored a first-half hat-trick against Aston Villa.