TOP FOOTBALL TRANSFER STORIES

·  Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was in attendance at the Copa del Rey tie between Levante and Barcelona yesterday, and there is plenty of speculation about who he was there to watch. Reports in Spain say 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto was the main player under the microscope. Cristian Tello was the star of the show, though, as he netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory for Barca.

Reports in Germany suggest that Manchester United full-back Fabio is a target for Bundesliga club Freiburg. The Brazilian has struggled to establish himself as a regular at Old Trafford and could be on his way to the Mage Solar Stadion, according to Badische Zeitung.

We are hearing Bournemouth are lining up a loan move for Tottenham defender Adam Smith. Smith is currently back at Tottenham after cutting short a season-long loan deal at Derby in November. Cherries boss Eddie Howe is keen to bring in a new right-back to bolster his defensive options and has identified Smith to bring in.

Fulham have been heavily linked with a move for Steven Defour but reports suggest that Porto are still reluctant to accept a bid. The midfielder’s agent, Paul Stefani, has been quoted as saying: “The interest is very concrete. They don't want to loan him, they want to sign Steven permanently. They're talking about a contract of three-and-a-half years. We just have to wait for Porto to give the deal a go.”

Everton looked set to sign striker  Lacina Traore on loan from Monaco earlier in the week but they are now facing an anxious wait after Radamel Falcao suffered a knee injury on Coupe de France duty for his club yesterday. Reports in France suggest the Colombian is facing a long absence and could even be doubtful for the World Cup, but Monaco are not leaping to conclusions and will get expert opinion over the next few days. In the meantime, though, it is doubtful they would be willing to let Traore leave and his move to Goodison Park is on hold for now.

·  Fraser Dainton has been reporting from Old Trafford on the latest Juan Mata news. He reveals there is a good chance a deal will be agreed today to take Mata to Manchester United, reminding us that the Spaniard did not train with Chelsea yesterday and that he has been saying goodbye to his team-mates. Our Sky Sports News reporters will be keeping their eyes and ears open throughout the day to keep us up to date on any developments.

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup is making a shock bargain bid for Bolton striker David Ngog, reports the Daily Mirror. Wanderers will let the Frenchman leave for a low offer to get his 32,000-a-week wages off their payroll.

The Daily Mirror reports that Philippe Senderos is ready to quit Fulham after being targeted by Lazio. The defender’s contract talks have been put on hold and he will be a free agent in the summer.

Arsenal chiefs will fly out to Germany today in a bid to sign Julian Draxler, according to The Sun. The Gunners have cranked up their interest in Schalke’s exciting midfielder and offered £20million plus Lukas Podolski, but face competition from Borussia Dortmund.

Away from Chelsea and Manchester United, and the Daily Mail says that Besiktas are to hold talks over a loan move for Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse. It is reported that Alan Pardew will let the Senegal forward leave St James’ Park this month, but wants in the region of £10million.

The Daily Telegraph offers a different take on Chelsea’s plans for the Juan Mata money, suggesting that their willingness to let him leave is part of a long-term strategy to recruit Everton midfielder Ross Barkley. It is reported that they will mount a big bid for Barkley in the summer, when Manchester City will be their main competitors for his signature.

With Juan Mata expected to leave, Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Mohamed Salah. The Basel winger had reportedly been in advanced talks over a switch to Liverpool, but the Daily Mail writes that Chelsea last night made a rival bid of £11million.

There have been rumours that Juan Mata’s arrival at Manchester United could lead to the departure of Wayne Rooney, but the Daily Mirror says that he wants to stay at Old Trafford. It is reported that the Red Devils are ready to open contract talks with Rooney once the Mata move is finalised, and that David Moyes has instructed his men to sort out a deal as quickly as possible to keep him out of Chelsea’s grasp in the summer. 

The latest on Juan Mata is the top transfer story in today’s newspapers but there is also plenty of speculation about what else the Spaniard’s move could trigger. The Sun claims that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants to use some of the money from Mata’s proposed sale to land £24million-rated Real Sociedad attacker Antoine Griezmann, who has previously been linked to Arsenal.

Source: Sky Sports News