Tags - first team

Tottenham are set to be dealt a blow by top target Casemiro with the Sao Paulo midfielder reportedly opting for a move to Roma.   The 19-year-old Brazil international has been attracting interest from a host of European clubs since breaking into the Sao Paulo first-team last season.

  According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is wanted by Barcelona as an understudy to veteran stopper Victor Valdes.     Alongside Brescia’s Nicola Leali and Nikolay Mihailov of FC Twente, 21 year-old Szczesny has been earmarked as a potential addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Arsenal are reportedly set to increase their interest in Manchester United's highly-rated teenager Paul Pogba.   Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wanted to sign the 18-year-old midfielder before he chose to move to United in 2009 and, according to the Daily Star, is hopeful of sealing the deal at the second attempt.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is lining up a sensational move for a trio of Barcelona defensive starlets, according to reports on Skysports. com. In the past Tottenham have been linked with Martin Montoya and Marc Batra, both players have made their first-team debuts for the Catalan giants.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has revealed the club are looking to make some signings when the transfer window reopens in January and reports claim he has identified Adam Johnson as a priority. The Manchester City winger was previously a target for the Black Cats whilst at Middlesborough, but opted for a move to Eastlands.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be alert after the latest comments coming out of Stamford Bridge with regards to the future of Salomon Kalou, according to reports in the Evening Standard. Chelsea have offered Kalou a new contract worth £85,000-a-week, but it is believed is in search of more regular first-team football.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is reportedly set to make an incredible attempt to sign Manchester United pair Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand when the transfer window reopens in January.   Redknapp is desperate to guide Spurs to a top-four finish and get the club back into the Champions League.   And according to caughtoffside.

Following protracted negotiations in the summer over a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea, 17-year-old Brazilian Lucas Piazon has now revealed his delight with life in London ahead of an official announcement confirming him as a Blues player.