Arsenal to ‘snare Japanese teen striker’ in January

Far from being discouraged at his failure to land a half-decent goalkeeper in August's transfer window, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is apparently already eyeing up January's transfer hotspot. According to bestselling Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, Monsieur Wenger is finalising a deal with Japanese striker Ryo Miyaichi that will see him becoming a Gunner early next year on a five-year contract. The 17-year-old Miyaichi trialled with Arsenal during the summer, one of several clubs (including Ajax and AC Milan) the Japan Under-19 star visited, but it was at the Emirates he felt most at home. The admiration was mutual with Wenger impressed by Miyaichi's strength, pace and technique. Unusually tall for a Japanese player at 6ft, Miyaichi turns 18 in December and will become an Arsenal player in January.

Across the way at White Hart Lane, there was the sound of popping champagne corks yesterday as Spurs celebrated their capture of Dutch striker Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid. The Premier League authorities had given the go-ahead to the deal having studied the fine print of the deal, enabling Tottenham to officially call van der Vaart one of their own. According to manage Harry Redknapp Spurs were able to snap up van der Vaart for £8m just before the transfer deadline expired after a £18m move to Bayern Munich broke down. With Real wanting to sell van der Vaart come what may, Spurs were able to get him at a bargain rate. Yet there were accusations in Madrid yesterday of brinksmanship on the part of Spurs. "It is absolutely false that Real Madrid received a €21m offer from Bayern Munich for Van der Vaart," fumed Real's sporting director Miguel Pardeza, reacting to comments from Tottenham boss Redknapp. "In fact, the German team never showed an interest to sign the player, so the allegations made in England have greatly surprised us."

Not that the player himself was bothered by the war of words between the two clubs: "Four years at Spurs, for £8m, I can hardly believe it myself," laughed the 27-year-old van der Vaart. "It's a pity I cannot now play against Ajax in the Champions League but I will get to face FC Twente. I am excited about playing in England. Whether it suits my style remains to be seen, but I think a good footballer can adapt and I am very proud of this transfer."

Finally, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has revealed that several clubs got in touch with the Reds on deadline day to enquire about his availability – and they were all told where to go by manager Roy Hodgson. "The club received offers and decided to reject them," he said in an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Cope. "That's where it ends. Everyone thought I was leaving for Spain during the World Cup, but there was nothing to it." Torres went on to pledge his commitment to Liverpool though he did have a warning for the club's board: "The day I came back to report for training, I said my future was at Liverpool. I have a contract until 2013. This year our target has to be the top four. All my teammates and I want to improve and win titles and for that it is fundamental we get new owners." ·