Gerrard to quit Liverpool - Arsenal want £16m Mbia

It isn't just one talismanic midfielder looking to leave their club this summer, it seems that Steven Gerrard could follow Cesc Fabregas's lead and announce he wants to abandon his spiritual home in his hunt to win trophies.

According to the Daily Mail, Gerrard has lost patience with Rafa Benitez and the managerial blundering that landed the Reds in a dismal sixth place in the league. And now that the beleaguered manager looking like he is set to stay, the England midfielder has decided that he wants out, as he prepares to turn 30 next week.

Possible destinations for Gerrard, who would cost up to £30m, include moneybags Manchester City, Chelsea - who can at least offer Champions League football - or one of the European giants. Jose Mourinho is a fan of Gerrard, so the Liverpool man could find himself in Milan or Madrid, depending on where the Portuguese ends up.

As for the Gunners, they have their heart set on Marseille's Stephane Mbia, a defensive midfielder who plays for Cameroon. The 24-year-old joined Marseille last year from Rennes and has just helped them win their first French league title for 18 years, but the Daily Mail says he could soon be on his way to the Emirates - where there could be a vacancy about to appear in the midfield.

At 6ft 2in Mbia is a physical presence who likes to attack, leading some to compare him to a young Patrick Vieira. Bayern Munich are said to be sniffing around the player but Arsenal are expected to make a bid of £16m some time soon.

Meanwhile it appears Zlatan Ibrahimovic's days are numbered at Barcelona following the arrival of David Villa this week from Valencia. And according to Spanish rag Sport, the stringy Swede striker is being hunted by Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City with a fee of £46m being mooted for the 28-year-old.

Ibrahimovic knows City boss Roberto Mancini from his time at Inter, a factor, says Sport, that might give the Sky Blues an advantage. But they can only offer Ibrahimovic the Europa League next season, while Chelsea and United can tempt him with the Champions League. Ibrahimovic arrived at the Nou Camp last year in a £60 million move from Inter but despite scoring 21 goals this season – including a brace against Arsenal in the Champions League – he's not settled.

Stuttgart are after Liverpool's Albert Riera according to German paper Stuttgarter Nachrichten, which will be good news for everyone at Anfield. It seems that Steven Gerrard isn't the only one fed up with Rafa Benitez - although Riera is slightly more outspoken. Two months ago the 28-year-old Spaniard went public with his criticisms of Rafa Benitez – describing him as presiding over a "sinking ship" – and since then the winger has been sidelined.

He recently said his objective "is to go to a club were I can feel appreciated and where I can win trophies. I am not worried about the money now or the country I go to", and it appears Stuttgart have heard his SOS. Stuttgarter Nachrichten says that the club – coached by former Spurs manager Christian Gross – are set to make an offer for Riera in next month's transfer window.

Another German paper, Bild, reports that Franck Ribery will snub a host of chasing clubs from across Europe and sign a new deal with Bayern that will see him remain in Munich for another five seasons. The French winger has been linked with lucrative moves to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United in recent months, but according to Bild the 27-year-old has been enticed to stay at Bayern by a record contract – believed to be around €10 million.

In other news the Mirror reports that Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has dismissed claims that striker Dimitar Berbatov is heading towards the Old Trafford exit. The bungling Bulgarian, who cost the club over £30m two seasons ago, has been linked with a move away from Manchester but Ferguson says the player won't be going anywhere. "No, he will not - definitely not," fumed the fiery Scot. "There's a problem with Manchester United in terms of expectation and media attention. There's speculation every year and we've got to live with that hype. We know Dimitar is a good player and he will be with us next year." ·