Defoe to Arsenal? Nasri and Fabregas may stay

Things could be looking up at the Emirates. Not only have Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas dropped hints that they may decide to stay with Arsenal, it is being reported that Arsene Wenger could be planning an audacious raid on their bitter rivals Tottenham.

According to the Mirror, the Gunners hunt for a new striker has led them to the door of Jermain Defoe, the Spurs hitman who found himself marginalised at White Hart Lane last season. The paper reports that he could be the 'fox in the box' that Arsenal have been looking for and insists that the club are "considering" a bid for the England forward, who cost Spurs £16.75m two years ago.

Meanwhile, Samir Nasri has given renewed hope to Gunners fans that he'll be returning to the Emirates next season despite recent rumours linking him with a move away. The 23-year-old Frenchman has refused to put pen to paper and extend his Arsenal contract, while also talking warmly of Manchester United. But now Nasri's agent has moved to rubbish suggestions that the midfielder has his heart set on a transfer.

"I want to clarify that there has been no break with the Gunners over the contract renewal and we should meet again soon with Arsene Wenger," said Nasri's representative Alain Migliaccio. The agent admitted that there "are a few" clubs courting the gifted genius but that his priority lies in north London. "Before listening to other teams, we need and we want to talk with Arsenal."

Meanwhile Nasri's midfield partner Cesc Fabregas has also been talking about his plans, though the Spaniard appeared to send out mixed messages as he attended a launch of a new fragrance in Spain. "I won't step forward and say I want to join Barca," Fabregas told reporters. "After eight years at Arsenal, I won't harm the club. That's not my way of being. I'm very happy, I'm an Arsenal player now, and that's it. Wenger knows what I want and he's the boss, he decides."

However asked if he was envious of Barcelona's perpetual success compared to Arsenal's perpetual failure, Fabregas replied: "It's frustrating not to win trophies. Barcelona are a great club, the best in the world, and playing there is a guarantee to win."

According to reports in Spain, Fabregas's people are preparing to meet with Barcelona to discuss a possible deal, though that would be contingent on the Spanish giants meeting Arsenal's alleged asking price of £40m.

Back at Spurs, Harry Redknapp may not only be waving goodbye to Defoe, he also faces a battle to retain the services of midfield lynchpin Luka Modric. Chelsea made a bid of £22m for the 25-year-old on Wednesday night but this was rejected by Tottenham. However, according to the Sun, Roman Abramovich is ready to increase his offer to £25m and the paper says this might well prove too tempting to resist for the Lilywhites.

Chelsea's interest in Modric appears to stem from their failure to land Brazilian playmaker Kaka. Last month the appearance of Kaka in a west London restaurant set the rumour mill in motion, with reports suggesting the 29-year-old was being personally targeted by the Blues' owner.

But apparently Inter Milan have made an official approach to Real Madrid, offering £26m for the player who cost twice that much when he arrived at the Bernabeu in 2009 from AC Milan.

Barcelona have announced that they have begun negotiations for Udinese's Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez, who is also wanted by Manchester United, Manchester City and Inter. However, the 22-year-old is known to want to  join the Catalan club and Barca are confident they can swifty finalise a deal.

Finally, more Arsenal news. It appears that Wenger will have to kiss goodbye to his dream of signing Argentinian midfielder Alvarez. The 23-year-old has just helped his club Velez Sarsfield win their domestic title and he's champing at the bit to test himself in Europe, saying: "I know I'm being followed by some major European clubs, and I hear the rumours about me, but I just try to stay calm and down to earth."

Reports earlier in the year suggested he was being courted by Wenger, but according to the Metro, Alvarez is now off to Roma. Apparently Velez Sarsfield and Roma have agreed a £12m deal and Alvarez will hook up with his new team-mates next month. ·