Arsenal back in for Schneiderlin as Liverpool get Sterling boost

As Arsenal lurch from one dismal draw to another, could the Gunners be planning a fresh bid for Morgan Schneiderlin in the New Year? They were first linked to the Southampton midfielder in the summer, a rumour that the Frenchman did little to discourage, but in the end the speculation fizzled out like an Arsenal title challenge. But now, according to the Daily Express, the Emirates outfit are "preparing to revive" their interest in the Saint.

However, Spurs are also interested in Schneiderlin and the Express says any offer will have to be in the region of £25m if Arsenal are to land the 24-year-old. Southampton, currently riding high in the Premier League unlike Arsenal, whose stuttering start to the season has seen them accumulate just eleven points in their first eight matches, are reportedly reluctant to do a deal for Schneiderlin unless it involves silly money.

Meanwhile the Sunday People claims that Arsenal and Chelsea are "ready to go head-to-head" for the hand of Portuguese starlet Andre Silva. Why is the striker described as a "starlet"? Why, because he's only 18 and that means he must be either a whizzkid or a starlet. In this case it's the latter, and the People explains that Silva is seeking a "move to England when his contract with the Portuguese club expires in June".

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Currently with Porto, Silva is desperate to experience the Premier League and the People says that Wenger "is leading the chase" for the Portugal Under-19 international. But Mourinho is also rumoured to be monitoring the talented teenager who was the second top scorer at the recent Euro Under-19 championships.

Elsewhere and the Daily Mirror says that Liverpool are back in the hunt for free agent Victor Valdes after word reached the Reds that the veteran gloveman is "willing to take a pay cut from his Barcelona wage" to secure a move to Anfield. Stories emanating from Spain last week suggested that Valdes had decided against a move to Liverpool particularly when he was told he would have to undergo a trial. But that obstacle seems to have been removed and now the Mirror says that Valdes is ready to "take the position between the sticks" at Anfield despite the fact Liverpool won't be paying him as much as the £90,000-a-week he was reputedly earning at Barcelona.

Finally website Goal.com reports that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out making a move for Raheem Sterling either now or anytime in the near future.

Speculation has been growing in recent weeks that the European champions could be poised to make a move for the Liverpool and England frontman who is scheduled to face Real on Wednesday in the clubs' Champions League group clash.

But whatever the outcome of that encounter Ancelotti has pooh-poohed the idea that Sterling is part of his plans. "Sterling is a player of great quality," he explained, his view no doubt reinforced by Sterling's contribution to Liverpool's 3-2 defeat of QPR on Sunday. "But we already have extraordinary talent here. To think of another striker for the Real Madrid attack is really extremely difficult. It's clear that Sterling is not in our plans."