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Arsenal target Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou
Transfer Talk: Liverpool want him too, but the Ivory Coast frontman has a soft spot for the Gunners
WITH international football providing Arsenal with a merciful release from their domestic strife at the weekend, the Gunners were able to use the breathing space to plot bringing reinforcements to the besieged Emirates.
And according to the Daily Mirror, Arsenal believe Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou is just the man to put some fight back in their squad. Unfortunately Liverpool are also interested in signing the 26-year-old Ivory Coast frontman and the two clubs will “go head-to-head” when January’s transfer window opens.
The Mirror explains that Kalou (above), whose contract at Stamford Bridge runs out at the end of the season, is keen to stay in England but not with the Blues. That has opened the door for the Gunners and manager Arsene Wenger is apparently set to offer Chelsea £6m for Kalou – who is happy up front or on the wing - in the New Year.
That has allegedly bridled Kenny Dalglish who is determined to outbid Arsenal as he looks to strengthen his strikeforce. But the Mirror reckons that Kalou fancies staying in London and has a soft spot for the Gunners ever since Wenger tried to buy him from Dutch club Feyenoord in 2006 before Chelsea muscled their way in with a better offer.
Meanwhile Arsenal look like losing out in their hunt for Real Madrid central defender Ricardo Carvalho, at least according to Turkish rag Milliyet. It claims that Fenerbahce are closing in on the veteran Portugal international, who has failed to settle at the Bernabeu since arriving from Chelsea on a two-year deal in the summer of 2010.
The Gunners had been linked with the 33-year-old defender but now it appears that the Turkish outfit are close to agreeing a deal for Carvalho with Milliyet quoting the sum of £6m as the price Fenerbahce are prepared to pay. That would scupper Arsenal’s ambitions though it might spark a bidding war with Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala who have also expressed a liking for Carvalho.
In other news the Daily Express has rocked Old Trafford with a story suggesting Dimitar Berbatov will be on his way to either Valencia or Paris Saint-Germain come January.
The beanpole Bulgarian striker has played just three times for the Red Devils this season following the emergence of Danny Welbeck and according to the Express the 30-year-old will at the centre of a showdown between the Parisian club and the Spanish outfit in the New Year.
With United having paid £30m for Berbatov in signing him from Spurs three years ago, the club want to make some money from him or else he could leave on a free transfer in the summer when his contract expires.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says he hasn’t finished pursuing Bolton defender Gary Cahill despite failing to land the 26-year-old during the summer.
According to reports at the time, Spurs were deterred by Bolton’s asking price, believed to be in excess of £15m. But, speaking at the weekend, Redknapp made it clear he’s not a man to give up easily. “We couldn’t get a deal done for Cahill [but] that’s not to say we won’t try again in January,” said Redknapp. “If the chairman can reach an agreement with Bolton I’d love to bring him here.” ·
