With Arsenal's title hopes disappearing quicker than an Indian summer, the Gunners are said to be weighing up a move for Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba, but they must see off Manchester United to get their man.
According to the Daily Express both sides are considering tabling bids come January in the region of £25m for the Spanish international. Alba will have his work cut out whoever he chooses, as the two sides' defences have been as porous as the White House security this season.
But will Barca be willing to sell? Yes, says the Express, claiming that manager Luis Enrique is "looking to replace the attacking Alba with a more disciplined player". Consequently the uncertainty of the 25-year-old's future has "alerted" Louis van Gaal and Arsene Wenger and a bidding war could break out in the new year.
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But little is as it seems in the crazy world of transfer talk, and Caughtoffside.com says that it's Manchester City who have "set their sights" on Alba. Sky Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini allegedly thinks Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov are "weak points" in his back four and has asked the board to sanction a January bid for Alba.
Back to the Gunners and the Sunday People says that the north London club "have stepped up their interest" in long-term target Julian Draxler. Arsenal spent Sunday afternoon firing blanks at the Bridge and there's no doubt they need some more ingenuity and energy in midfield if they're to avoid a mid-table finish this season. So, says the People, the Gunners watched Draxler in action for Schlake in their midweek clash against Maribor in the Champions League.
But assuming the Daily Star isn't as wide of the mark as a Laurent Koscielny challenge, it could be that Arsenal's big New Year signing will be Sami Khedira. The paper claims that the Real Madrid midfielder "has agreed personal terms" with Arsenal and all that remains is for the two clubs to agree a fee for the Germany World Cup winner.
Khedira is in the final year of his Bernabeu contract and the European champions are prepared to sell the 27-year-old rather than see him leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. But might Chelsea – having inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Arsenal on Sunday – dump more humiliation on the heads of their rivals by snatching Khedira at the 11th hour with a big-money bid? The Star claims that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho knows the player from his time in charge at Madrid and "is understood to be keen on a reunion".
Another name on the Gunners wishlist is that of Marco Reus, who is likely to be available for £20m when a release clause in his contract comes into effect. However, the Daily Mirror believes that Manchester City could be inching ahead in the race to sign the German international.
The player is in a "contract stand-off" with Borussia Dortmund and City are one of several clubs now "monitoring" the situation.
Sticking with news from the Etihad and the Daily Mail says that City will "consider the future" of Yaya Toure in the January transfer window. The midfielder returned to form on Saturday as City overcame Aston Villa but he remains unsettled at the Etihad and, according to the Mail, Toure "has his heart set on one final big move".
French champions PSG are said to be favourites to sign him, and City would be happy to sell as they are believed to have already lined up Toure's replacement – former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. Currently with Juventus, Pogba has a £60m price tag and City would be happy to meet that asking price.
