Friday's football rumour mill
Wenger may be about to splash the cash
Friday, 23, Oct 2009 11:04
By Darren Estwick.
Arsene Wenger may be set to surprise many and launch a record bid for Inter Milan front man Mario Balotelli.
The highly rated youngster would cost the north London club around £20m, but it is believed that Wenger thinks a lot of the forawrd - not least as he is still young (21) and has yet to fulfil his maximum potential.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have requested that their transfer ban imposed by Fifa be suspended - allowing them to go on a mini shopping spree in January.
Rumours circulating suggest that Fifa may be powerless to prevent the deferment meaning allied with the African Nations in January we may see some new faces strutting their stuff at Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later.
With this in mind, keep an eye on David Villa arriving in London for talks with the Blues. Villa fits the bill in the sense that he would be able to fill the gap left by Didier Drogba during the African Nations and he would be eligible to play in the Champions League this season.
Liverpool are apparently on the verge of declaring their interest in Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross. However, reports suggest they will have to spend £8m to get him.