Arsenal set for Brozovic talks as Man Utd line up Vlaar move
Gunners one of several English teams after Croatian midfielder, and they are also after striker Emenike
The agent of Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has come clean and admitted that Arsenal are among "several English teams" ready to do a deal for the Croatian firecracker.
According to an 'exclusive' in website Goal.com, the 21-year-old has attracted interest from a number of teams after a string of eye-catching performances for club and country, and in conversation with Goal.com, Brozovic's man, Miroslav Bicanic, did what all self-respecting agents should in these situations and let it be known he would welcome interest from Premier League clubs when Croatia come to England for a pointless international friendly next month.
"Croatia play USA in November in London and during our stay there we will hold meetings and negotiate with several English teams," explained Bicanic. Asked if the Gunners were on his 'to see' list, he replied: "Yes, I can confirm Arsenal are one of them."
Meanwhile, Metro says that the specialists in finishing fourth are "scouting powerful Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike" with a view to a £15m offer in the new year.
In recent weeks rumours have been growing that the 27-year-old Emenike could be on his way from Turkey to England (with Chelsea suggested as a possible destination) but Metro says Arsenal are now the "front runners for his signature". Taking Turkish rag Millivet as its source, Metro adds that Arsene Wenger has told his scouts to watch Emenike closely, while at the same time presumably telling his physio staff to clear some space on the treatment table.
Still with Arsenal, who are currently the subject of more rumours than Kim Jong-un, and the Daily Mail reports that they "are on the trail" of Marseille defender Stephane Sparagna. Apparently they are keen to do a deal for the 19-year-old centre back (who is also able to slot in as a defensive midfielder) in January, though they will have to first see off competition from Rennes and Udinese for the France Under-20 international.
Finally the Daily Star reports that Manchester United are winning the race to sign Ron Vlaar from Aston Villa. The 29-year-old Dutch defender knows Louis van Gaal well from his time working under the United boss with the Netherlands. The Star says that Vlaar is "not among the high earners at Villa Park" and United are aware his contract expires at the end of the season.
Vlaar joined Villa from Feyenoord just over two years ago and boss Paul Lambert is desperate to keep hold of the strapping defender. To that end he will ask the Villa board to put together a new contract that would see Vlaar earn a "potential £50,000-a-week" but the Star speculates that still won't be enough to stop the Dutchman moving to Old Trafford. The paper says a "£4m bid should be enough to clinch a deal", although Tottenham, Everton and Roma are also said to be monitoring the situation.
