Arsenal are lining up a January move for Fiorentina play maker Juan Manuel Vargas, according to reports in Italy.
The Gunners' poor start to the campaign has forced boss Arsene Wenger to splash the cash in the January transfer window and reports put the Peruvian high up on the Frenchman's wish list.
The 27-year-old can play on the left of midfield or defence and has developed into a real Serie A ace since his arrival in 2008.
The Peru international is under contract with the Viola until June 2013 and has been linked with AC Milan and Spanish giants Barcelona in the past as well.
It is thought the Florence-based club could be convinced to let Vargas go for around £13million in the next transfer window.
Michael Owen admits he gets as nervous ahead of his patchy appearances for Manchester United as he used to do before the biggest games of his entire career.
After 89 caps and appearances in three World Cups for his country, in addition to innumerable high-profile matches at club level, the 31-year-old should be above a few nerves.
However, he felt the nervousness ahead of Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Leeds, purely because of the pressure he was under to perform.
"I have had some massive games in my career but I almost feel myself getting more nervous these days," he said.
"I don't fear my touch will go because I am doing a lot of training and putting in a lot of hard work.
"But even the best players in the world can have a bad game and that negative thought is definitely there in the back of your mind because you cannot put things right in three or four days' time like most other players who play all the time.
"The pressure is on. Thankfully, every time I have started I have managed to quieten people before they chirp up."
Remarkably, Owen's two goals at Elland Road took his present run to 11 goals in 12 starts.
That record would be enough to assure him a place in most starting line-ups.
Yet at United, he can do no better than fourth or fifth-choice striker, depending upon his status and that of Dimitar Berbatov.
Indeed, that run began in October 2009, so occasionally has Owen been used by Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I get criticised by a lot by people who say I don't play but I pick my money up," he said.
"I am not proud of that fact. I don't want anybody to think that I am content by not playing.
"But I also appreciate there are some top players in the team and the squad so it is a challenge to get on the bench let alone the team."
Owen is certainly realistic about his difficulty, which gets no easier this weekend as, even as Javier Hernandez misses out through injury, youngster Danny Welbeck is back in contention after a hamstring complaint.
"I know my position in the squad - we have got some top strikers and it no slight on me in any way," said Owen.
"It is hard to say how you feel because you don't want to put across the wrong message.
"Obviously, I am not happy if I barely play but it is not me to go banging the gaffer's door down.
"It is a privilege to play for such a top team with top players. I have loved every moment."
Inter Milan have appointed former Roma boss Claudio Ranieri as their new manager,
according to reports.
The ANSA news agency reported on Wednesday night that the 59-year-old is set to pen a two-year contract at the San Siro following the dismissal of Gian Piero Gasperini.
Gasperini was only appointed to the role in July and was sacked after a poor start to the new campaign which included four defeats in five games.
Inter president Massimo Moratti questioned Gasperini's management quality after Tuesday's 3-1 Serie A defeat at Novara and the club eventually decided to act by axing the former Genoa boss.
A statement on Gasperini's dismissal from Inter read: "Inter announces that today's [Wednesday] training session has been carried out by Daniele Bernazzani and Giuseppe Baresi.
"The club wishes to thank Gian Piero Gasperini for the effort shown during his tenure and manifests its true disappointment for the interruption of the relationship with the coach."
Ranieri could take over training at Inter as early as Thursday morning, according to Sky Sports News. He has been without a job since being sacked by Roma last February.
Among the high profile jobs Ranieri has held include stints at Juventus and English side Chelsea.
A statement from Inter read: "Inter announces that today's [Wednesday] training session has been carried out by Daniele Bernazzani and Giuseppe Baresi.
"The club wishes to thank Gian Piero Gasperini for the effort shown during his tenure and manifests its true disappointment for the interruption of the relationship with the coach."
Inter chief Massimo Moratti questioned Gasperini's leadership after Tuesday's 3-1 Serie A defeat at Novara.
He said: "When you lose in the manner that we did against Novara, there is nothing positive to take from that.
"Gasperini did not seem to be in control."
Gasperini, meanwhile, denied he had lost the backing of his players.
"Moratti has declared that I don't have the support of the players?," he questioned.
"The rapport with the group is optimum. If the problem is the coach, then it has an easy solution.
"If, instead, as I believe, the problem is another one, then we must resolve it through work."
Inter have yet to declare who will replace Gasperini.
They travel to Bologna on Saturday before taking on Russian side CSKA Moscow in the Champions League four days later.
