Arsenal target £12m German defender Tasci

Arsene Wenger's love affair with all things German continues with the news that the Arsenal boss would like to sign Stuttgart central defender Serdar Tasci. The 23-year-old, who has played a dozen times for his country, was a regular for the German club in the Bundesliga last season and is a member of Germany's all-conquering World Cup squad.

Wenger, as The First Post revealed last week, has been linked to several German stars following their outstanding displays in South Africa and although Tasci has yet to get in on the act he has somehow caught the Frenchman's eye. And the Gunners boss believes the 6ft 1in defender would be an inspirational addition to the Arsenal back-four. According to Italian news agency Calcio News 24, Tasci is also being courted by Juventus but the Turin club look set to lose out to the Gunners. Uli Ferber, Tasci's agent, says a move to the premier League is a distinct possibility, with the player himself having admitted recently that he harbours ambition of "playing for a top side abroad". German newspapers report that Tasci comes with a price tag of around £12m.

The see-saw saga of Cesc Fabregas's possible transfer to Barcelona continues. Late last week the Spaniard appeared keen to stick with the Gunners, then it emerged he was 'desperate' to join barca. Today's rumour suggests he might be staying in London. The reason is that Barcelona have just discovered that their pockets aren't as deep as they had hoped and that they cannot afford anything like the £60m Arsenal want for their captain.

New Barca president Sandro Rosell revealed that the club was seeking a £125m loan to cover 'short-term liquidity' problems, and that means they will not be able to offer more than around £35m for Fabregas.

One player who appears to have slipped through Arsenal's fingers is Portugal shotstopper Eduardo. The 28-year-old keeper, one of the few Portuguese stars to shine in their disappointing World Cup campaign, was a Gunners' target but according to Sportitalia, Eduardo will leave Portuguese outfit Braga for Genoa. Reports last week suggested Braga had been in touch with Arsenal about a deal, but Genoa seem to got their offer in first and snapped up Eduardo for £3m. The news will distress Arsenal fans who, as things stand, are going to have to endure another season watching Manuel Almunia and Lukasz "the fumbler" Fabianski embarrass themselves between the sticks.

The Sun says that Manchester United are lining up a bid for Dutch World Cup ace Wesley Sneijder. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has been on fire in South Africa, scoring four goals during Holland's march to the semi-finals, and apparently Alex Ferguson is desperate to get his hands on Sneijder. Unfortunately, the Sun says that the player won't come cheap – in fact £35m is the price quoted by the paper, if Sneijder is to leave Inter Milan for Old Trafford. Nonetheless, though funds are a little tight at Manchester right now, Ferguson might put pressure on the club to find the cash because he sees Sneijder as the natural replacement for Paul Scholes (set to retire at the end of the 2010-11 season)

Manchester City look like they've failed to land Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko. Italian rag Tuttosport says that the 6ft 4in Bosnian frontman has agreed a deal to join Juventus, surprising news given that last month Dzeko was rumoured to have agreed to join City in a £36m deal. The towering Dzeko scored 27 times in 46 games for Wolfsburg last season, a prowess that attracted interest from clubs throughout Europe – including Manchester United and Arsenal – but the 24-year-old believes his game isn't suited to the rough and tumble of the Premier League.

Finally, the Corriere dello Sport allege that Inter Milan are upping the ante in their desire to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham. The Italian paper says that the 20-year-old left-back, so vital in helping Spurs qualify for the Champions League this upcoming season, is highly regarded by new Inter boss Rafa Benitez. The former Liverpool boss sees Welshman Bale as a player of vast potential and the price tag of approximately £15m wouldn't be a problem for the Serie A club. And Corriere dello Sport also reports that Inter are eyeing up England and Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson, particularly as the club expects to lose its Brazilian defender Maicon to Real Madrid. ·