Schwarzer still fuming over failed Arsenal move

Mark Schwarzer is said to be still fuming with Fulham after the club blocked his move to Arsenal last week. The 37-year-old Aussie goalkeeper had made no secret of his desire to move across London to the Gunners, but Cottagers' manager Mark Hughes vetoed the transfer despite Arsenal offering a reported £4m for the veteran shotstopper.

Schwarzer vented his frustration against Switzerland (England's opponents tomorrow in their Euro 2012 qualifier) on Friday evening, producing a couple of blinding saves as Australia held the Swiss to a 0-0 draw in their friendly. Yet asked afterwards what he thought of his thwarted dream Schwarzer struggled to keep his emotions in check. "I would rather not say anything, I would really rather not say anything because otherwise I might say something wrong," he explained to Australian reporters. And Australia's coach, Lucas Neill, sympathised with his Schwarzer's predicament, saying: "He is the ultimate professional. He deserved to go to a club like Arsenal."

Another digruntled goalkeeper who could be joining the Gunners next year is Cagliari's Italian international Federico Marchetti. The 27-year-old was, just like Schwarzer, tipped to be on his way to the Emirates. But he too was unable to force a move.

Now it looks as though he will be moving on in January after Cagliari president Massimo Cellino said. "He made unfortunate statements in an interview. He created problems with a certain attitude, and, despite being a great guy, he could pay for his nonsense."

If he does move on in the winter he will have plenty of suitors. According to IM Scouting its not just Arsenal and Fulham who are sniffing around him. Chelsea and, unbelievably, Manchester City (who have Shay Given playing second fiddle to Joe Hart) are also said to be interested.

Meanwhile, it's reported that the Gunners won't be having it all their own way as they look to sign Ibrahim Afellay from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. According to Talksport, Italian outfit Fiorentina are also eyeing up the 24-year-old Afellay and hope to bring him to Serie A in January's transfer window. It's been known for some time that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admires the attacking midfielder and would like nothing better than to bring the Dutch international  to the Emirates.

Where Fiorentina might fancy their chances of scuppering Wenger's dream is in the asking price: PSV want £10m for Afellay – who appeared in the World Cup for Holland – and seeing how Wenger is to munificence what Wayne Rooney is to fidelity, that sort of sum might be out of the Frenchman's range

One club not known for frugality is Real Madrid and according to the Mirror the Spanish giants are going to make an offer for Spurs' winger Gareth Bale in January. The 21-year-old Welshman has been Tottenham's star man for the past season and his form has caught the eye of Jose Mourinho. The Mirror says Real pondered making their move last month but instead have decided to bide their time and wait until the New Year, which will allow them to see how Bale performs in the Champions League group stage.

And if Italian rag Tuttosport is to be believed, Bale won't be the only Spurs' man waving goodbye to White Hart Lane in January. Apparently Juventus have Jermain Defoe top of their wish list and the England striker's hat-trick against Bulgaria on Friday has only increased his reputation. Tuttosport say that initially Juventus preferred Frenchman Karim Benzema – currently struggling to make a name for himself at Real Madrid – but Defoe's form this season has changed their mind and the Turin club are said to be compiling a big money offer for the 27-year-old Englishman.

In other news the Mirror declares that Manchester United are planning to add Sotiris Ninis to their squad before the start of next season. The 20-year-old Greek midfielder – who appeared in June's World Cup - has being doing great things for Panathinaikos in recent seasons and the Mirror says that United boss Alex Ferguson regards the Albanian-born youngster as a player similar in style to Paul Scholes. So impressed is he with Ninis that apparently Ferguson has told Panathinaikos that United will happily pay the £8m to bring him to Old Trafford ahead of interest from AC Milan and Real Madrid. ·