Arsenal line up giant defender Fazio and Juventus strike duo

Arsenal line up giant defender Fazio and Juventus strike duo

Wenger can't decide between Juve forwards Matri and Quagliarella, United in for Leighton Baines
LAST UPDATED AT 08:10 ON Wed 24 Apr 2013

ARGENTINE man-mountain Federico Fazio is the latest player in Arsenal's firing line. According to the Daily Mail the 6ft 5in powerhouse is being watched by Arsenal scouts who have made frequent trips to Spain to run the rule over the Sevilla defender.

The Mail claims that the 26-year-old Fazio first came to the attention of Arsenal back in 2009 when the Gunners were looking for a replacement for Kolo Toure. Manager Arsene Wenger allegedly tabled a £5.5m bid but Sevilla considered the offer derisory. This time, however, Arsenal are more confident of landing their man with the Mail saying that Sevilla are struggling financially and likely to accept a second bid from the Gunners.

Still with Arsenal and Sky Italia reports that Arsenal are in preliminary discussions with Juventus about buying one of their strikers. Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Matri are said to be the frontmen in question with Sky Italia claiming that the Gunners have contacted Juventus and sounded them out on the possibility of some summer business.

So far the Italian giants are keeping mum on whether they will be willing to sell one of the two strikers but with the club having recently signed Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao the chances are Arsenal will strike it lucky.

More good news for the Gunners comes from Spain where Real Betis have so enjoyed having Arsenal prospect Joel Campbell on loan this season that they are preparing to hoover up some of the other surplus players currently sloshing around at the Emirates.

The Spanish side want to extend the loan deal of Costa Rican striker Campbell, and could also take fellow youngsters Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin off the Gunners hands for the season. But the most exciting part of the news, as reported in Spanish newspaper Fichajes, is that Betis could also agree permanent deals for Johann Djourou and Marouane Chamakh.

While Arsenal are rumoured to have £70m in the kitty for their summer spree, champions Man United aren't far behind and according to the Mirror, Alex Ferguson is gearing up to splurge £50m at the end of season sales. Hopwever, he will have some gaps to plug in the squad as he offloads Nani and Anderson, and Paul Scholes hangs up his boots for a second time.

Everton left back Leighton Baines and Chelsea and Manchester City target Radamel Falcao are said to be on Fergie's shopping list along with Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Sun also believes that Lewandowski could be heading for Old Trafford. The Pole was tipped to join Bayern Munich earlier in the month, but that was before the German giants announced the signing of Mario Goetze on Tuesday. That prompts the Sun to speculate that Lewandowski will join United and that a bid of £18m wold secure his services.

The Evening Standard reports that John Terry will open talks with Chelsea over a new contract in the summer, quashing speculation that the veteran defender might be on the brink of leaving the Bridge. The paper claims that a possible sticking point might be the Blues' new policy regarding players over 30, which would leave Terry with only a 12-month extension to his present deal, which runs out at the end of the 2013-14 season.

The 32-year-old defender initially intended to sit down with the club last month to discuss his future but those talks were put on hold as he recovered from a knee injury. Now it appears the two parties will lock horns in the summer.

"We'll start talking then," explained Terry, who went on to say: "People have to realise that I've got a year left at Chelsea after this. People have spoken about no new contract and this kind of thing but it's not even on the agenda at the moment... Whether it's a yes or a no I'll continue to give my very best until my contract finishes."

Meanwhile Talksport reports that Manchester United are ready to tussle with Manchester City and Chelsea for Sporting Lisbon sensation Bruma. The sweaty threesome could leave the Portuguese club smiling if a bidding war breaks out for the 18-year-old (full name Armindo Tue Na Banga), and that is a distinct possibility as Bayern Munich are also said to be circling the teenage winger.

It's believed the German giants were lining up a £4m bid for Bruma but that was before United sent scouts to check out the wideman. Talksport claims that the club's good relationship with Sporting could pay dividends as the Lisbon outfit trusts United after their previous deals for Nani and Ronaldo. ·

juventus101 wrote:Do a swap! Matri + Quagliarella + cash for Podolski!!!

juventus101 wrote:He is FAR better than Quagliarella. Its not even comparable. A .5 goal ratio for Germany when he was played as a striker. A .5 goal ratio for Koln over 2 season where he was played as a striker and sometimes as a 10, with little help. Better dribbled than any of our forwards bar Vucinic, but is more of a Ronaldo type player that's why: likes to use speed and physicality to beat opponents rather than close control. One of the best shooters of the ball in the world. And works very hard. I personally think ie would fit Serie A and Juve in particular perfectly.