Chelsea in shock move for Arsenal’s Theo Walcott

Ruthless Russian Roman Abramovich is looking to put the boot into London rivals Arsenal with an audacious bid for their twinkle-toed winger Theo Walcott. That's the astonishing allegation carried by the Daily Mail, who claim that the Chelsea owner will look to capitalise on the alleged unhappiness within the Arsenal dressing room at the club's six-year failure to win a trophy.

The Mail says that the 22-year-old Walcott "has an uneasy relationship" with boss Arsene Wenger because he feels he hasn't been given the opportunities his talent deserves.

The news of the Blues' bullish interest in Walcott will come as a further blow to Arsenal fans already reeling from the revelation that Samir Nasri is looking for a fresh start - and the News of the World has something further to say on that subject.
 
The 24-year-old Frenchman has been linked with Manchester City and their rivals United in recent days, and the NoW quotes the midfield maestro as explaining why he's so far refused to extend his Arsenal contract beyond next year when it expires.

"Money has never been my motivation," says Nasri. "We already earn huge wages. The priority is to make a big career and to win titles. This is more important than everything else... I came to England for trophies because I've not won anything in my career, apart from an Under-17 European Championship in 2004."

On the plus side for glum Gunners fans, French sports daily L'Equipe reports that Arsenal are lining up a bid for Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena. The 26-year-old has been an integral part of the Marseille side since 2006 but apparently he likes the look of Arsenal and could be receptive to an approach from Wenger.

L'Equipe says that Valbuena – capped eight times by France – would cost the Gunners around £12m but the main stumbling block might be Marseille coach Didier Deschamps. The former French international holds Valbuena in high regard and is reluctant to see him go.

Meanwhile the Mirror says that Arsenal are ready to pounce for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing. In the past Wenger has had an aversion to buying English players but if the Mirror is to be believed the nutty professor is set to nip in ahead of Liverpool and bring the 26-year-old Downing to the Emirates in a £20m deal.

Liverpool have been linked with the England international in recent weeks but apparently Wenger sees Downing as a player who would have no trouble adapting to Arsenal's style of play. Downing for his part wants to experience European football and that's not going to happen next season if he joins Liverpool.

In other news, the Daily Star says that Spurs are about to make a cheeky play for Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic. The tabloid says manager Harry Redknapp is a fan of the 20-year-old and is prepared to meet Barcelona's asking price of £20m in order to secure Krkic's signature ahead of Italian outfit Roma.

The Express says Aston Villa, Newcastle and Chelsea are all chasing Marseille midfielder Lucho Gonzalez with the Blues favourites to land the Argentine star. Valued at £10m, the 29-year-old is apparently a hit with new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Finally the Italian rag La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Manchester City have still not given hope of signing Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Last week club president club president Aurelio De Laurentiis laughed off suggestions that the 26-year-old frontman could be on his way to Eastlands, but Lavezzi's agent, Alejandro Mazzoni, has told La Gazzetta that it's by no means certain the player will remain in Italy: "Will Lavezzi stay at Napoli? I don't know," said Mazzoni. "If an offer was to arrive then we would evaluate it with the club." ·