Arsenal & Chelsea fight over Inter’s Mario Balotelli

Arsenal and Chelsea could clash over the young Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli, the Daily Mail reports. Arsene Wenger is desperately searching for cover for crocked frontman Robin van Persie, and the 19-year-old hotshot, who could still choose between playing for Italy or Ghana, is at the top of his list. However Carlo Ancelotti is looking to sneak in and steal the youngster, telling journalists that "I would sign a player like Balotelli. I like him and he would always be in the first team under me." Having bested the north Londoners on their own turf last Sunday, a second humiliation by Chelsea could prove too much, and the Gunners may make a snap bid of £18m for the player...

Arsene Wenger may be unwillingly entering the transfer market during the January window, but he is not betraying his principles of tracking young talent, as Arsenal are closing in on Brazil Under-17 international Zezinho. The Gunners are willing to pay up to £5m for the Juventude playmaker, having had lesser bids rejected by the Brazilian's club. Zezinho told reporters that: "My time at Juventude ended on Saturday. Until now, I thought that I would continue in the Gaucho, but my agent said that it is impossible. He told me that Arsenal will submit a new offer to Juventude - the third in a year, it seems - and this time it will be solved"...

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano has got the rumour mill going by publicly praising Manchester United and their boss Sir Alex Ferguson. Talking to FourFourTwo magazine, he said: "I see Manchester United as a team with a very interesting style of play, of passing, of crossing. I think Manchester are a team where it would be easy to fit in," he said. "I really admire Sir Alex Ferguson. He's been around for so long, always winning titles." The 29-year-old has an impressive return of 25 goals in 36 appearances for Brazil and has also interested Manchester City and Chelsea...

Sol Campbell, finally freed from his contract at Notts County, won't be moving to Newcastle as many had predicted, the Guardian says, after the St James's Park boss Chris Hughton ruled out the move. "Sol is an absolute top, top defender and I think that shows by his achievements," the Newcastle manager said. "We're not prepared to rule it out, because he's a player who would be available, but we have other options. It would not be appropriate for me to say whether Sol is first choice or not." The Championship leaders are likely to make a move for Sheffield United's Matthew Kilgallon... ·