Arsenal ‘agree deal’ for Japanese starlet Miyaichi

Ryo Miyaichi has confirmed he will join Arsenal just as soon as he turns 18. As The First Post reported last week, the young Japanese Under-19 striker had trials with the Gunners during the summer, but then broke his leg while turning out for Dutch club Ajax in a similar event. Yet despite his injury, Miyaichi had done enough at his time in North London to convince Arsene Wenger that he's worth a punt.

According to Italian website Tutto Mercato Miyaichi will sign a five-year deal with Arsenal in January, just after his 18th birthday, and the player himself gives credence to the speculation by saying: "Mr Wenger told me that Arsenal is my home and I that should learn some English and come back soon. It was difficult to choose between Arsenal and Ajax, but Arsenal wanted me most."

Unfortunately for the Gunners, reports in the Daily Mirror suggest that Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo won't be turning up at the Emirates any day soon. The 25-year-old had been linked with Arsenal during the summer and it was rumoured that the Italian international was himself angling for a move to the Premier League. But Montolivo has poured cold water on the stories by telling the Mirror: "My contract is not a case that people need to worry about. I'm fine in Florence. There is no case and I do not want to talk about it."

Talksport claim that Liverpool are eyeing up Hamburg winger Eljero Elia with the hope of luring the Dutchman to Anfield while offloading compatriot Ryan Babel at the same time. Apparently Reds' boss Roy Hodgson was impressed with what he saw of Elia in the World Cup and he wants him instead of Babel, long rumoured to be discontent with life in Merseyside. Tottenham and West Ham have both expressed an interest in Babel in the past and Hodgson wants to use the money from his sale to secure Elia in January's transfer window.

Liverpool are also one of the clubs said to be pursuing Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku, along with Premier League rivals Chelsea, but now Italian rag Tuttosport says that Serie A outfits Juventus and Inter Milan are also keeping tabs on the 17-year-old who scored 18 goals in 43 games for Anderlecht last season. Chelsea apparently regard the teenager as a younger version of Didier Drogba and it's therefore no surprise that other clubs have come calling. According to Lukaku's agent, Christophe Henrotay, the player is flavour of the month: "It is true that Juventus and Inter Milan are following him," he told Tuttosport, adding that Lukaku "is more likely to depart [Anderlecht] in the summer, but in football you never know... They know they have a great player and would like to keep him as long as possible.  At the same time, they are realistic and they know it is important to get the best offer."

Finally, the Mirror says that Mark Schwarzer has "privately vowed to quit Fulham" on a free transfer after the Cottagers refused to facilitate his move to Arsenal last month. The Aussie keeper is allegedly so fed up that he intends to sign a pre-contract agreement with the first club he can in January and leave Fulham behind the moment his current contract expires in June 2011. ·