Still weak in defence, Arsenal go for Adrian Mariappa

JUST DAYS after declaring that he wouldn't be dipping into the transfer market, Arsene Wenger is about to make a bid for Watford defender Adrian Mariappa. The Sun claims that having watched the 25-year-old Mariappa in action for Watford against Tottenham on Friday, the Arsenal boss will make his move before the transfer window slams shut on Tuesday evening.

Apparently Newcastle had offered Watford £1.5m for Mariappa, who can play right-back or centre-back, but the Hertfordshire club want £4m. Arsenal are now prepared to stump up that fee after the nutty professor endured another fraught afternoon on Sunday watching his defence gift two goals to Aston Villa in the Gunners' 3-2 FA Cup victory.

Liverpool have dismissed as "fundamentally and completely untrue" reports in the Sunday papers that they were in talks with Manchester City to do a straight swap – Andy Carroll for Carlos Tevez. The story was that, a year on from signing Carroll from Newcastle for a club record fee of £35m, the Reds had finally realised that the 23-year-old is more of a liability than the Duke of York in Davos.

While Liverpool have denied the plan, The Guardian reports today that "sources elsewhere" insist an approach was made. Carroll himself says he's happy at Liverpool but, despite public support for the striker from Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, "the interest in Tevez raises doubt about the former Newcastle player's long-term future at Anfield".

Meanwhile Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian has reacted to news of an approach from West Ham by telling Talksport that though the 27-year-old Argentine striker hasn't played since his fallout with City back in September, he's not so desperate that he'd contemplate a return to the Hammers.

Tevez spent a season with West Ham back in 2007 and the Championship side are willing to offer him a home. Don't call us, we'll call you, was the gist of Joorabchian's message to the East Enders: "That is one club that is very close to his heart but I think that would not be possible," he said, adding: "Carlos is in a different position at the moment."

It hasn't been a good weekend to be a Newcastle fan. Not only were the Magpies dumped out of the cup by a bunch of southern softies called Brighton, but it looks like star striker Demba Ba will be leaving St James Park.

The Mirror claims that the 26-year-old, who arrived in Newcastle from West Ham last summer, wants to better himself and Tottenham are at the front of the queue to sign the strapping six-footer. At the moment Ba pockets a paltry £30,000 a week and he believes he could double his money at Tottenham.

The move might even happen in the closing days of the transfer window with the Star claiming that Spurs are having a "pre-deadline clear-out". Apparently the Lilywhites are in talks with QPR to finalise a deal that would see winger Steven Pienaar and central defender Sebastien Bassong moving from the Lane to Loftus Road.

That would bring in £6m for Spurs, money that would be used to buy Ba as well as Villarreal striker Giovani dos Santos. The 22-year-old Mexican has caught the eye of Harry Redknapp and apparently the Spurs boss wants Dos Santos to sign for Spurs. ·