Loic Remy makes a move to Arsenal his ‘priority’

Loic Remy has pledged his loyalty to Arsenal, which might not go down well with his current club Nice. The French international, who's scored 11 goals in 29 games this season, has let it be known he sees himself as a Gunner next season and he's hoping Arsene Wenger sees things the same way. Remy was linked with Arsenal during January's transfer window but an £11m move never materialised, and the 23-year-old remained at Nice.

But despite interest from Bordeaux and Lyon, Remy is determined to exchange the Stade Municipal du Ray for the Emirates Stadium: "I will not hide that if I have a choice, Arsenal would be my priority," Remy confessed during an interview on RMC, a French sports talk show. "Arsenal is a young team that develops the game and with ambitions. It is a pleasure to see them play and it would be an ideal place to continue to grow. In football, you never know what will happen. But Arsenal is a club that makes me jealous."

Remy also revealed that he had turned to his friend and former Gunner, Thierry Henry, for advice. "I spoke with Thierry about them and asked him lots of questions about life there," said Remy. "That is because I have been an Arsenal fan since I was little. I was not disappointed with what he told me." Which was presumably a) it's a wonderful club b) never leave thinking the grass is greener elsewhere and c) can you put in a good word for me if you do sign.

Meanwhile Cesc Fabregas's agent has moved quickly to counter speculation that his client is Inter Milan-bound. As reported in The First Post yesterday, the Italian club are reported to have added the Arsenal skipper to their insurance policy so sure are they that Fabregas will be with them next season. But in an interview with fcinter1908.it. Joseba Diaz accused the club and their manager, Portuguese poseur Jose Mourinho, of getting ahead of themselves. " Have we received proposals from Italy? Yes, but not only from there Italy," said Diaz, adding: "It is certainly a fascinating idea, like Spain is, but Cesc is happy in England."

When the Italian interviewer tried to press the point, Diaz was forced into a curt rejoinder, snapping: "We don't care about the future at the moment, all we are thinking about is doing well in the Champions League and winning the Premier League."

According to the German magazine Bild, Franck Ribery has definitely discounted a move to Chelsea should he choose to reject Bayern Munich's offer of a new contract. The 26-year-old winger has been the focus of fevered speculation this season about his future, and despite attention from both Chelsea and Manchester United, the Frenchman has no intention of moving from Germany to England. And the reason has nothing to do with footballing ambition. Rather, as Ribery shamelessly confessed to Bild: "My wife is from the south [of France], she needs sun."

Ribery, clearly a man not used to wearing trousers either in his job or his marriage, went on to say that "I have to take into account several factors, not only what is good for me but for my wife... if I decide not to accept Bayern's offer of an extension, then certainly I'll be going to Spain."

Manchester City are sniffing around Palermo striker Edinson Cavani. The 23-year-old Uruguayan is highly rated and Palermo are anxious to get him to sign a new deal.

Their motivation may not be to make him stay at Palermo, but to make sure they get a bigger slice of cash when he moves on. The new deal contains a clause that says he can leave for £25m - beer money to a club of Manchester City's riches.

Finally Portuguese international midfielder Deco won't be leaving Chelsea to join Corinthians in Brazil. Earlier this month the 32-year-old said in a interview: "I am anticipating a return to Brazil... I want to go back to Brazil... the dream of playing for Corinthians is perhaps the only thing in my career left to achieve." But though Corinthians' coach Mano Menezes warmed to the idea, the club president Andres Sanches has vetoed the idea having recently signed Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos. "We will not hire anymore players," said Sanches. "Deco has a contract with Chelsea." ·