United join Arsenal in defender chase

Manchester United have expressed an interest in the Fulham defender Chris Smalling, whose remarkable rise from non-League football now looks likely to continue with a battle for his signature between two of the biggest clubs in English football. It has been widely anticipated that Arsenal would make the first move for the £7m-rated defender, who was playing for Maidstone United when he was signed by Roy Hodgson in March 2008. However, Manchester United have let it be known that they are interested in the 20-year-old who, in a short space of time, has broken into the Fulham side and the England Under-21s.

Source: The Independent

Arsenal turn to Klaas for front line

Arsenal will revive their interest in Holland striker Klass Jan-Huntelaar this week - but only if the price is right. Huntelaar is desperate for a loan move from AC Milan to keep this World Cup hopes alive. Despite his lack of first-team football at the San Siro, the Italian giants are still hopeful the striker can find the form that forced them to splash out £13m last summer.

Source: Daily Star

Roman to join Birmingham revolution

Birmingham are set to step up their interest in Tottenham outcast Roman Pavlyuchenko. City owner Carson Yeung is desperate to sign a big-name striker, but the Blues have unsuccessfully pursued expensive forwards like Milan Jovanovic, Kenwyne Jones, Ryan Babel and Kevin Kuranyi this month. But Hong Kong tycoon Yeung remains anxious to bring in a well-known star up front to help market the club in the Far East.

Source: The Mirror

Allardyce seeks Gudjohnsen re-union

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce wants to tie up a loan deal for old boy Eidur Gudjohnsen - to fill West Ham-bound Benni McCarthy's boots. Allardyce made contact with Monaco yesterday to ask about the Icelandic forward who was under his wing at Bolton a decade ago. Gudjohnsen wants out of France where he is unsettled after his move from Barcelona and he is keen on a Premier League return, with Rovers emerging as favourites to land him.

Strachan returns to Celtic for another signing

Stephen McManus is set to become the latest Celtic player to be reunited with his former manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough. The central defender, who was Celtic's captain during Strachan's tenure at Parkhead, is poised to move to Teesside on an initial loan deal until the end of the season. Celtic will also let their full-back Danny Fox leave for Burnley if he can agree personal terms at Turf Moor.

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