Arsenal target Valencia star Juan Manuel Mata

Just days after Liverpool were linked with Valencia winger Juan Manuel Mata, it's the turn of Arsenal to be mentioned in the same breath as the 23-year-old. According to the Sun, the Gunners are in talks with the Spanish club over a £18m deal and Arsene Wenger is eager to wrap up proceedings as quickly as possible before Liverpool stick their oar in.

Mata (above) was a member of Spain's World Cup-winning squad last year and also helped the Under-21s to glory at the recent age-group European Championships.

Gareth Bale is set to walk out of White Hart Lane if Spurs sell Luka Modric. The Mirror claims the Welsh wing wizard dropped the bombshell after Chelsea offered £22m for the Croatian midfielder.

Bale, the PFA Player of the Year last season, extended his own contract with Tottenham earlier in the year but he is now allegedly threatening to renege on that deal should the club give in to Chelsea's advances. According to the Mirror, Tottenham remain steadfast in their refusal to sell Modric at any price and have assured Bale that that is the case.

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, says that Spurs will seek to keep Modric at the club by doubling his wages to £90,000 when he returns to training in a couple of weeks.

The paper says that though Chelsea are unlikely to bid silly money in their pursuit of the Croatian, new manager Andre Villas-Boas might offer Didier Drogba as "bait for a deal". Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is known to be a fan of the Ivorian striker but chairman Daniel Levy is so determined to keep hold of Modric he'll give him a massive pay rise.
 
Still with Spurs, the News of the World claims that Liverpool are eyeing up Aaron Lennon. Apparently the Reds are in the throes of finalising the transfer of Charlie Adam from Blackpool, and when that is done and dusted they'll turn their attention to Lennon. Though Redknapp has made it clear he has no intention of selling Bale or Modric, he might be more receptive when it comes to the 24-year-old Lennon.

In other news, the agent of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has told the People that several clubs have made enquiries as to his availability next season. Manchester United and Chelsea are known to be admirers of Ramos and though his agent (and brother) Rene wasn't naming names he did have this to say about his sibling: "Sergio merits better treatment at Real because of the work he has done and his quality. It is normal that his talent has been recognised by foreign clubs. We have received calls and inquiries but it is in the hands of Real."

Another Spanish-based player not pleased with the way his career is going is Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara. The Daily Star says that the 20-year-old playmaker believes he doesn't get enough game time at the Camp Nou and is open to offers.

The Star quotes a source as saying: "Thiago is frustrated because his path to the first-team is blocked by Xavi and Andres Iniesta. His minutes on the pitch are limited while they continue to pull the strings in midfield, and Chelsea is his favoured destination if he decides to leave."

The Mail says that Bayern Munich are hopeful of signing Nani from Manchester United following the arrival at Old Trafford last week of England winger Ashley Young. The German club reckon that the 24-year-old Nani will see his opportunities limited with Young now in the United squad and will entice him away with the promise of regular football.

Finally, Arsene Wenger has said he's doing all he can to persuade Gael Clichy to remain loyal to the Gunners. Speculation has been rife in recent weeks that the 25-year-old left back will be on the move over the summer, with Liverpool and Roma the front-runners to sign the Frenchman. But speaking to Sky Sports, Wenger said:  "We have started talks with Gael and want him to stay." ·