Sol Campbell set for shock comeback at Arsenal

Patrick Vieira isn't the only ageing legend primed for a dramatic return to Premier League football. According to the Daily Mirror, "Sol Campbell is set for a remarkable comeback with Arsenal" with Arsene Wenger prepared to offer the 35-year-old a short-term contract.

The paper says that the Arsenal boss has been "hugely impressed" with Campbell, who has trained with the Gunners squad in recent months following his abrupt departure from Notts County at the start of the season. Fit in body and mind, Campbell is seen by Wenger as "a perfect signing as cover for Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas".

However, before Arsenal fans start celebrating at the prospect of seeing Campbell's rock-like presence at the Emirates there is a caveat, warns the Mirror: "The whole deal hinges on Swiss misfit [Philippe] Senderos leaving Arsenal in January and that may yet be a tricky deal."

Senderos and Arsenal are desperate to part company but the north London club won't sell unless the price is right. Everton nearly snapped up the Swiss defender last summer but weren't prepared to pay the £4m asking price, and Wenger is hoping there is truth in the rumours concerning Senderos and Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Last night Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood dropped the biggest hint yet that the deal was on its way, saying: "Arsene doesn't talk to me about these things, but I know he has always liked Sol so I wouldn't be surprised if it happened."

Campbell began his career at Tottenham but it wasn't until he moved to rivals Arsenal that he tasted football glory, making nearly 150 appearances for the Gunners in five seasons, a spell that included the 2003-04 'Invincible' season. He left Arsenal in 2006 for Portsmouth before moving to Division Two side Notts County last year.

If Arsenal are about to gain one player, they might be on the verge of losing out in a race to sign another. According to the Daily Star, Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh is poised to snub Arsenal in favour of a summer move to Liverpool.

There has been much speculation of late that is was all but a done deal between the Moroccan Chamakh and the Gunners, but it appears Liverpool have snuck up on the outside to pinch the talented 26-year-old from under Arsenal's noses. The Star says that "talks have been held with the Moroccan international's agents this week" and Liverpool are confident Chamakh will sign a pre-contract agreement committing himself to a summer move to Anfield.

The news is likely to enrage Wenger who has been tracking the 6ft 1in Chamakh for months. But recent comments from the player suggest he didn't appreciate Arsenal's approach.  Chamakh complained of feeling "pressurised" to sign for the Gunners and it appears he might have accepted the advances of another suitor as revenge.

Rumours about the future of Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas show no sign of abating. After claims that he would be moving to Real Madrid in a swap deal involving Gonzalo Higuain it now seems that Barcelona will be his next port of call.

According to the Star, Barca manager Pep Guardiola is refusing to sign a new contract with the Catalan giants until he gets assurances that they are serious about signing the Arsenal captain.

The club's presidential elections are coming up and Guardiola reportedly wants to make sure all the candidates make Fabregas the lynchpin of their transfer strategy.

The Times is one of several papers to report that Manchester City is "on the verge" of a deal to sign Cristian Ansaldi. The 23-year-old Argentine left-back has created waves with Russian outfit Rubin Kazan, helping them clinch consecutive league titles as well as impressing in October's 2-1 defeat of Barcelona in the Champions League.

Ansaldi's form has come to the attention of Roberto Mancini and the new City boss sees him as a solution to the problem created by Wayne Bridge's long-term knee injury. The Times says that City have offered £4m for Ansaldi and the deal is in the final stages of completion.

Back at Liverpool, Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez is expected to finalise a £1.5m deal while Andrea Dossena has left Anfield and signed a four year deal with Napoli. ·