London – Arsenal could make an audacious swoop for Barcelona striker David Villa. Arsene Wenger and his backroom team have discussed a January move for Villa, a forward the Arsenal manager has admired for years.
They would rather take the 31-year-old on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent deal depending on how he takes to the Premier League.
But if the price is right, Arsenal would stretch to a long-term deal in January.
Sources in Spain indicate that if Villa wants to leave due to a lack of first-team football, Barcelona could let him. Wenger has made bolstering his strikeforce a top priority next month. Schalke’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Atletico Madrid star Adrian Lopez and Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko all feature on the Wenger’s list, while Thierry Henry is expected to return for a third spell at Arsenal.
There could be more changes at the Emirates with Wojciech Szczesny’s future as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper increasingly uncertain. Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet is the latest to emerge as a January target.
Wenger is unhappy with the level of competition for Szczesny at Arsenal and wants an experienced keeper to push the young Pole and maybe even replace him. Pepe Reina, Asmir Begovic and Michel Vorm also feature on Wenger’s list of goalkeeping possibilities.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace starlet Wilfried Zaha is set to decide on a move to Manchester United or Arsenal next month.
The England forward has privately set his heart on leaving Selhurst Park in January for a move to an elite club.
It is understood Zaha is weighing up offers from both clubs. – Daily Mail