He's a headline writer's dream and he might be on his way to the Premier League. Yes, according to Metro, Mattia Destro "could be willing to quit Roma".
The news will quicken the step of Arsenal and Chelsea, both of whom have been linked with the – wait for it – Italian destro-yer in recent months.
The 23-year-old frontman was on the radar of both the Blues and the Gunners in the summer but nothing transpired. Now, however, Metro says it could be second time lucky with Destro failing to impress at Roma after making just five starts this season.
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Asked about the possibility of a move to England in January, Destro replied: "I think with my head, I make decisions with my head. So we'll see."
Good to see the art of thinking with your head is alive and well, but less healthy are the chances of seeing Edinson Cavani in England any time soon.
Arsenal and Manchester United had both recently been floated as possible destinations for the Uruguayan international despite his £50m move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Cavani has apparently been miffed by playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Talksport reports he's not quite as hacked off as we'd been led to believe.
"I was never against the manager, the president or anybody else," Cavani told Uruguayan radio station AM1010. And as for the possibility of a switch across the Channel? "I feel very good here at Paris and the club supports and protects me."
Meanwhile the Daily Star says that Arsenal have been handed "a boost" in their pursuit of Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner. Rumours emerged last week linking the Switzerland right-back to the Emirates only for Juventus to declare that they were in talks over a new contract. But the Star says those talks have now "stalled" and the 30-year-old could yet be on his way to Arsenal in the New Year. To give further credence to their claim, the Star says that Juventus are tracking Micah Richards and will likely bring in the former English defender to fill the gap left by Lichtsteiner.
In other news goal.com says that Manchester City are "preparing to make their move" for Marco Reus. With the Sky Blues' season in danger of stagnation the board have apparently earmarked the Borussia Dortmund ace as the man to bring in next season.
The 25-year-old has an £18m release clause in his contract and goal.com says the Premier League champions intend to activate it. They may have competition, however, with Bayern Munich known to be tracking Reus as well as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
But goal.com claim that Manchester City "have been tracking" the Germany international for more than five years and the club's director of football Txiki Begiristain has now made him his "top priority".
Then again, the Daily Express reckons that Bayern are Reus's "most likely destination". All in all, it's a little bit bewildering, not unlike a Manuel Pellegrini press conference.
