Benfica Wing Wizard On Manchester United's Radar

Manchester United is set to raid Portugal for another wing wizard - Benfica's Nico Gaitan.

United signed talented widemen Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani from Sporting Lisbon and the Premier League champions are now keeping tabs on the star turn from Sporting's cross-city rivals Benfica.

Argentine winger Gaitan has been in exceptional form so far this season in his side's unbeaten start to the campaign - and caught the eye in Benfica's 1-1 Champions League draw with United in September.

And now, according to reports in Portugal, Sir Alex Ferguson is considering a move for the 23-year-old but he will face competition from a number of top clubs across Europe.

But Jose Iribarren, who is Gaitan's agent, insists his client is happy at Benfica.

"Gaitan still has much more to give at Benfica," he told O Jogo. "He is doing a great job and it is normal that foreign clubs are following him but he is currently happy where he is."

Arsenal Striker Could Be Next To Leave

There could be more bad news for Arsenal fans after big-spending French club Paris Saint-Germain were linked with striker Marouane Chamakh.

The Parisian outfit is backed by a Qatari investor and has already proved their spending power by luring Argentina international Javier Pastore to the club in the summer.

Now, according to reports in France, manager Antoine Kombouare is keen to bring Chamakh back to Ligue 1 where the striker first made his name at Bordeaux.

The 27-year-old was signed by Arsenal after an impressive goal scoring season at Bordeaux, but has since struggled to hold down a place in the Gunners first team.

Chamakh has scored just eight league goals in his time with the club but that has not put off PSG who still believe he has the ability to score plenty of goals in Ligue 1.

Reports in France suggest that sporting director Leonardo has been tracking the striker and believes that because of his lack of first team appearances for Arsenal this season would be willing to move across the channel.

Arsenal is lacking options in attack after Nicklas Bendtner made the move to Sunderland, with Robin van Persie the only other recognized forward in the senior squad.

The Gunners do have Gervinho and Theo Walcott, who both have the ability to play in a front three, but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would certainly not want to lose Chamakh in January with the club already struggling.

Juventus Line Up Player Exchange Deal For Cissokho

Juventus are lining up a player exchange offer for Liverpool target Aly Cissokho.

Kenny Dalglish was linked with a move for the Lyon star throughout the summer and reports in France claim he is preparing to go back for the full-back in January.

But the Liverpool boss will face stiff competition from Juventus, who have made the France international their priority New Year target, according to sources in Italy.

Juve are set to offer World Cup winning left-back Fabio Grosso, who joined the Serie A club from Lyon two years ago, in exchange for Cissokho.

But it is understood Lyon will only consider an exchange deal if it includes 31-year-old Juve striker Vincenzo Iaquinta and not Grosso.

Chelsea Defender Alex Again Linked With Move To Juventus

Chelsea defender Alex is once again being linked with a move to Italian giants Juventus.

The Serie 'A' side were thought to be keen on a move for the player in August, with German side Bayern Munich also thought to be keen on a move for the player at the time.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was able to keep hold of the Brazilian at the time, but Setanta Sports claims the Bianconeri are once again keen to sign the player in the January transfer window.

The report goes on to state manager Giuseppe Marotta has made the Blues' centre back his number one target for the transfer window as he looks to sure-up his defence.

Alex has only made two Barclays Premier League starts for Chelsea this season, and faces competition from David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic in the battle to start alongside England skipper John Terry at Stamford Bridge.

With the player's contract set to expire in 2013, Villas-Boas will have to decide if it's worthwhile cashing-in on the player, spending the accumulated transfer funds elsewhere to strengthen his Chelsea squad.

Gunners Linked To Drame

Ousmane Drame's agent has claimed that Arsenal are among a host of clubs interested in the highly-rated forward.

Drame currently plies his trade with Padova in Serie B but his performances in recent times have reportedly alerted clubs higher up the football ladder in Italy.

Palermo and Fiorentina are among those thought to be considering a move, while Drame's representative George Atangana says he has also been contacted by the Gunners.

However, Atangana insists Drame will remain at Padova when the transfer window reopens in January and a decision on his future will only be taken at the end of the season.

"Arsenal are interested in him, I'm working on it directly with them," Atangana told mediagol.it.

"I have talked with (Arsene) Wegner. In Italy there are Palermo and especially Fiorentina interested in him.

"Now the important thing is that Ousmane will end the season in Padova, then we'll see.

"I can say that almost (all) the medium-high clubs in Italy and abroad like him."

Newcastle Target Exciting French Starlet

Newcastle are reportedly tracking the progress of Lyon's highly-rated young striker Yannis Tafer ahead of making a move next summer.

Tafer is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in France and has been sent out on-loan this season to Toulouse to gain first-team experience.

And according to tribalfootball.com, Newcastle are keeping a close eye on his performances this season before considering whether to make a move or the 20-year-old at the end of the campaign.

Toon manager Alan Pardew expressed his disappointment at failing to land a sufficient replacement for Andy Carroll, who joined Liverpool in a British record £35m deal in January.

Despite the current goal-scoring form of Demba Ba, Pardew is reportedly still keen to recruit a new centre-forward and has earmarked Tafer as a possible signing.

Adel Taarabt Announces Intention To Leave QPR

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt has announced his intention to leave the club in the January transfer window.

The Moroccan international has endured a rocky last few months at Loftus Road, having reportedly nearly joined Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain in the summer before being replaced by new signing Joey Barton as club captain.

Despite his near departure, Taarabt has started all seven of QPR's Premier League games so far this season, and cited improved pay as his reason for seeking an exit.

"I want to leave QPR during the January transfer window," Taarabt announced at Morocco's training camp ahead of the Atlas Lions' weekend fixture against Tanzania, according to the Sun. "It is for financial reasons."

Taarabt also insisted he had "no regrets" over his decision to decline an international call-up in the summer, having also previously declared that he would never represent his country again.

"It was a youthful mistake," he admitted. "However, I have no regrets about what I did."

Valencia's Ricardo Costa Admits Possible January move

Valencia centre-back Ricardo Costa says he will consider a move in the winter transfer window if he remains out of coach Unai Emery's first-team plans.

The Portugal international joined Valencia in the summer of 2010 for an undisclosed fee and played a key role in the club's backline in his first season at the Mestalla, making 36 appearances in all competitions.

This term, however, Ricardo Costa has been relegated to the periphery, and he has not featured for Valencia since the club's 4-3 victory against Racing Santander on August 27.

Last month, the former Porto defender said he was not concerned about his lack of playing time, but he has now indicated that he may find himself on the move in January.

"I do not know whether Unai Emery has lost trust in me, he has never discussed that with me, and I do not have to ask him that either," a statement issued by the player reads.

"I had a very good first season, I played well in this pre-season and suddenly something changed.

"But I am here and I will not throw in the towel. If the coach wants me to play, I will play. If he does not, then we will see what the best solution for my career is."

Spanish sources suggest Ricardo Costa's lack of first-team opportunities is related to his poor display in the Racing Santander game, but the defender sees no reason for such stories.

"Was it Valencia who suffered the goals or was it me?," he continued.

"I should remind everyone that I was replaced at half time and that the team had only suffered two goals with me on the pitch. When Racing scored their third, I was no longer playing.

"Moreover, I remember that match well and I do not remember playing alone. There have also been matches in which we could have suffered as many goals as the ones we suffered against Racing or even more, and I was not on the pitch."