Arsenal have been linked with a move for England and Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry.
The 32-year-old has one year remaining on his £100,000-a-week contract at the Etihad Stadium and the Gunners are said to be weighing up their options.
Barry is expected to face stiff competition for a starting place under Manuel Pellegrini next season after Manchester City landed Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk, but the midfielder will have to take a significant wage cut if he completes a move to the capital, the Sun reports.
Arsenal’s attention turned to the former England captain when Bayer Leverkusen rejected their £18.5million approach for defensive midfielder Lars Bender last week.
It is not the first time Arsene Wenger has attempted to lure Barry, who was subject to interest from the London club ahead of his move from Aston Villa to Manchester City four years ago.
But Wenger may face competition from north London rivals Tottenham, who are looking to fill the void of outgoing Scott Parker.
Spurs have also sparked an interest in Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke. The forward is yet to agree to agree terms at Villa Park and Andres Villas-Boas is expected to pounce.
The 22-year-old could be bound for White Hart Lane alongside Spanish international David Villa, who is destined to sign for Villas-Boas’ men after Fiorentina cooled down their chase for the free-scoring forward.
Meanwhile, West Ham are interested in agreeing a loan deal for Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.
The 20-year-old has proved surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge since his arrival in 2011 and Mourinho’s much-publicised pursuit of Edison Cavani will only hinder Lukaku’s chances further.
But the Hammers are willing to offer the Belgian striker a route out of West London as he seeks game-time ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
