Football transfer news

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Arsenal have scheduled a final round of talks with Theo Walcott in a bid to break the contract stalemate with the forward, Goal.com can reveal.

Negotiations will resume between the Londoners and Walcott’s representatives in mid-November, with both parties hopeful that a resolution can be reached to end the long-running impasse.

Goal.com understands that Arsenal regard the forthcoming talks as the final chance of tying the England international to a new agreement.

The club will look to sell the 23-year-old, who is set to return to the starting XI for the Capital One Cup tie at Reading on Tuesday night, in the January window if there is no breakthrough next month.

However, it is believed that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would rather offload Walcott abroad rather than to a Premier League rival, even if it means reducing the cost of the transfer fee.

Juventus have registered their interest in the wide forward and are ready to enter the bidding in the new year.

But the Serie A champions face strong competition from Liverpool, who regard Walcott as a possible answer to their dearth of attacking options, while Manchester City also are continuing to monitor developments.

Walcott has been locked in contract negotiations with Arsenal since the back end of last season and had been hoping for a significant upgrade on his current £60,000-a-week deal, which has just eight months to run.

Goal.com revealed back in April that the 23-year-old had been holding out for a £100,000-a-week salary that would now make him the club’s highest earner.

But Arsenal have made it clear they will not be held to ransom by the player and are unwilling to increase their package for Walcott much beyond their current £75,000-a-week offer.

There is also a dispute between Walcott and Wenger over how the player fits into the Arsenal team.

The Frenchman has used the former Southampton man almost exclusively on the right of a front three in his six-and-a-half years at the club but Walcott believes he has plenty to offer in a centre-forward role.

“It is a case of having trust in me up front,” said Walcott last month. “I was signed as a striker and it is about time, I want to play up front. I have learnt my game on the wing. When you look at what I did last year I think I can do even more. Hopefully I will be given the opportunity. I am desperate for it.”

Walcott has started only two of his 10 Arsenal games this season, and only one match – the Capital One Cup thrashing of Coventry City last month – since his contract stand-off with the club.

This comes after he established himself as an undisputed first-team regular last season, starting 29 of Arsenal’s 32 first Premier League matches and ending the campaign as the club’s second leading scorer behind Robin van Persie, weighing in with 11 in all competitions.

Walcott is poised to make his first Arsenal start for five weeks against Reading on Tuesday in a team made up predominantly of emerging players.

The front man suffered a chest injury on England duty against San Marino earlier this month and only returned the first-team squad against QPR last weekend.

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Genoa right-back Mario Sampirisi is being tracked by Manchester United and Chelsea, according to the player’s agent Giuseppe Riso.

The promising defender has recently broken into the first team of the Rossoblu, after moving from the youth setup at AC Milan in 2011, and has since attracted the attention of many top European clubs.
The player’s agent has confirmed that many top Premier League clubs have shown an interest in the Italy Under-21 right-back and that he would be well-suited to playing in England.

“Chelsea and Manchester United interested in him? Yeah, they sent their scouts to follow him live but I don’t know if they’ll try to take him in January,” Riso told tuttomercatoweb.

“Genoa do not want to sell. But I am not surprised that the Premier League clubs have their eye on him. Mario has the typical physique that British teams like.

“But also some Italian clubs are following him.”

Manchester United legend and Molde FK manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed that centre-back Vegard Forren is good enough to play for his former club.

Solskjaer led the Norwegian side to their maiden league title last season, generating a great deal of speculation about his own future and whether a return to England could be on the cards.

However, the 39-year-old has instead suggested that defender Forren, 24, could make the move to Old Trafford before long.

“Yes, he could play for Manchester United, but I don’t have to tell him that. At his best he is a very good footballer,” he told TV2.

“He could play for United, but he doesn’t need me to tell him that.”

Despite his kind words, the Norwegian went on to warn Forren that he should keep his attention focused on his own burgeoning international career.

“Vegard is a very good footballer but he has to be focused on delivering and securing his place in the Norway team,” he continued.

Molde currently sit top of the Tippeligaen, three points ahead of the pack with three matches still to play.

 

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizaretta has refuted claims that the Catalans have already struck a deal with Santos for striker Neymar.

It was rumoured that in the Blaugrana‘s annual report, the youngster was listed as a recepient of a hefty €10 million bonus ahead of a even more lucrative agreement in the future.

The Brazilian club recently published a statement on their official website denying a deal with Barcelona, and the retired goalkeeper has dismissed the claims on the liga giants’ part too.

“Neymar is Santos’ player. I do not know, I do not have a magic ball to see if he will play at Barca,” Zubizaretta told Canal Plus.

“We have a lot of respect for Santos. I have not read the financial report, but I know that Neymar is Santos’ player and that’s all there is to say.”

Barcelona rivals Real Madrid are also reportedly interested in acquiring the services of the Brazilian striker.

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been touted as a possible long-term replacement for the current Real Madrid and Spain No.1 Iker Casillas, but has made it clear he is ready to stay in England and fight to become Sir Alex Ferguson’s first choice shot-stopper.

“I am happy at United and not thinking about a return to Spain”, De Gea told The Sun.

“I’ve accepted the challenge to learn and improve as a professional, and fighting for my place gives me a bigger incentive to play well.”

He faces tough competition from Anders Lindegaard, with both keepers yet to cement a regular starting place in the United first XI under Sir Alex’s rotation policy this season.
 
De Gea is set to start Sunday’s crucial Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as Lindegaard is ruled out with a thumb injury. Victory for the Red Devils would see them reclaim second position in the Premier League table behind the Blues.