Arsenal 'agree deal' for striker Drmic, Man Utd ditch flop Zaha

IF FORMER Germany star Lothar Matthaus is to be believed, Arsenal have struck a deal with Nurnberg for young striker Josip Drmic. Not only that but the playmaker-turned-pundit claims Drmic's missus is in London searching for an apartment with the rougher end of the Holloway Road probably not on her itinerary.

The 21-year-old Drmic has long been linked with a move to the Emirates and the Daily Star says that a summer move "has been agreed", although no transfer fee was mentioned. The Swiss sharpshooter has scored 16 goals in 27 appearances in the Bundesliga this season and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants Drmic to lead the Gunners' attack next season.

However, despite Matthaus tweeting that Drmic was on his way to Arsenal, the player himself has insisted nothing has been signed and his other half hasn't jetted to London to house hunt. But asked if he was angling for a move to Arsenal, he replied: "It would be every boy's dream."

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Still with Arsenal and Goal.com reports that the Gunners are open to offers for Lukas Podolski. The German frontman has failed to fire since arriving in London 18 months ago and it's believed Wenger will let the former Cologne star leave provided he recoups most of the £11m he shelled out in the summer of 2012.

Podolski, who turns 29 in June, has two years left on his contract but, says Goal.com, says Wenger has come to the conclusion that he lacks "the physical power and technical ability" required for the Premier League. Cologne are thought to be interested in taking back Podolski although Hamburg and Borussia Dortmund are also sniffing around.

The Daily Mail says that Manchester United are poised to sell Wilfried Zaha in the summer with the fallen giants looking to "cut their losses" on the £10m they paid for the 21-year-old in January 2013.

Zaha was the last signing of Alex Ferguson but since arriving from Crystal Palace he has not cut the mustard at Old Trafford, starting just two games under new boss David Moyes before being loaned out to Cardiff City. The Mail claims that Moyes will now offload Zaha to the highest bidder – although it's unclear what that means, as the youngster is now struggling to make any sort of impact with Cardiff.

Could Man United also be about to say farewell to wonderkid Adnan Januzaj? According to the Daily Mail, Bayern Munich are keen on the Old Trafford starlet. The German's will get the chance to have a close look at the teenager when they play United in the Champions League this week.

Although United have already rejected approaches from Paris Saint-Germain, and despite the fact that the Belgium-born midfielder signed a five-year contract at United in October Bayern, remain keen on a deal. "They have yet to make an offer for Januzaj but their interest is strong," says the Mail.

In other news Metro says that Real Madrid are "keen" to snap up Chelsea reject Ashley Cole at the end of the season. Despite the fact the Blues can't even beat Crystal Palace these days, veteran Cole has been unable to nail down a regular starting spot at the Bridge, leading to speculation he could be moving on in a few months. Liverpool and the New York Red Bulls have both been mentioned as suitors but Metro reckons Real Madrid are "on the verge of offering the England left-back a two year contract worth £75,000 per week".

The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and it's thought likely he will accept Real's offer, particularly as he knows coach Carlo Ancelotti well from his time in charge of Chelsea between 2009 and 2011.

Cole will not be the only Chelsea star heading for the exit this summer. After conceding the title after defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend, Blues boss Jose Mourinho made it clear that a new striker would be taking over at the Bridge next season.

According to the Mail Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa is Chelsea's top target. Speaking after the shock result, Mourinho admitted: "It is clear to everybody that Chelsea next year want to bring a striker. What's the future for the others? The ones who are staying are competing with the striker we are bringing in."

That sounds like bad news for Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba, and possibly on-loan Romelu Lukaku, who could now be sold to Everton on a permanent basis.

Finally, The Sun claims that Manchester City are plotting what it calls a "cut-price" £15m summer swoop for Dani Alves. The 30-year-old Barcelona defender, who has been at the club for six years, is up for sale allegedly because the Catalan giants need the cash to help in their £500m renovation of Camp Nou. According to the Sun Alves, who scored against City in both of their recent Champions League last-16 ties, "will be welcomed with open arms at the Etihad" if both clubs can agree on the price.