DEPENDING on your choice of paper, Frank Lampard is heading either to Arsenal or Juventus. According to the Mirror, the 34-year-old Chelsea star is "a sensational transfer target for Arsenal" as manager Arsene Wenger prepares to panic buy his way out of trouble.
With the Gunners mired in mid-table mediocrity after another appalling display at the weekend, the Mirror claims that Arsenal are primed to make a move for the veteran midfielder in the New Year. Apparently Wenger believes Lampard's vast experience will help strengthen the squad and he is quietly confident that Chelsea will accept their offer as the England playmaker is no longer a first-team regular at the Bridge.
But according to the Metro, it's Serie A champions Juventus who are poised to offer Lampard an "escape route" out of Chelsea. The paper claims that Lampard, who has less than seven months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, has already been told by interim manager Rafa Benitez that he will not be offered an extension when his current deal expires in June. And that's prompted Lampard to seriously consider an offer from Juventus, who believe he still has another two years left in the tank.
Lampard for his part is said to prefer a move to Juventus as it will allow him to play in the Champions League, whereas a move to the Emirates would only allow him – the way things are going at Arsenal – to play in the Championship next season.
While Arsenal prevaricate over what to do with all the money that they may or may not have at their disposal, Manchester United are running the rule over some of the players thought to be on Arsene Wenger's shopping list, including Mario Gotze.
According to various reports in Europe Alex Ferguson is already in talks with the German international's current employers, Borussia Dortmund. It is claimed that Fergie is ready to write them a cheque for £28.5m to secrure the player's services in January.
The gifted 20-year-old has been touted by some as a readymade replacement for Paul Scholes in the United midfield.
The Mirror reports that Ferguson has his eyes on another young midfielder to fill Scholes' boots and sent his brother Martin to watch 23-year-old Oscar de Marcos in action for Bilbao against Barcelona at the weekend.
De Marcos was a United target in the summer, but in the end Ferguson ended up spending his budget on Robin van Persie.
One player who could be heading out of the Premier League is Spurs flyer Gareth Bale. The Daily Telegraph reports that the Welsh winger has opened the door to a possible move to either Real Madrid. Speaking after Tottenham's win over Fulham on Saturday.
"It would be nice to experience other leagues and other cultures," he announced. "I'm not afraid to go abroad."
The Daily Star says Harry Redknapp is chasing Joe Cole and a deal could be agree between QPR and Liverpool next month. It's claimed that Rangers will make a £5.5m offer for the former England midfielder despite the fact the 30-year-old has been struggling with a hamstring injury this season since returning to Anfield from a loan spell at French club Lille.
Redknapp, who took over at QPR ten days ago, knows Cole well from their time together at West Ham and that's said to have influenced the Rangers manager's thinking.
The People says that Fernando Torres could be on his way to rich Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala as Chelsea begin to accept the Spanish now only fires blanks. The paper says that Anzhi's manager, Guus Hiddink, has a "good relationship" with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and this is helping them find an agreement over the problem of Torres.
Since paying Liverpool £50m for Torres two years ago, Chelsea have failed to see a return on their investment but Abramovic is reluctant to see him go for anything less than what they paid for him.
The People says Anzhi are the only club willing to pay Chelsea the £50m asking price and a deal could be concluded in the New Year. It's reported that while Anzhi can't promise Torres Champions League football next season, they hope that "the massive wages they can offer will turn his head".
Finally, the Daily Mail reports that Manchester City are leading the chase to sign "wonderkid" Gerard Deulofeu. The 18-year-old Barcelona striker is likened to a young Lionel Messi and he has a £8.1m buy-out clause written into his contract. Initially Chelsea were said to be favourites to sign the young ace but that was before their season came off the rails. Now City have muscled their way in and, claims the Mail, are prepared to double his wages if he moves to the Etihad. ·
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