Arsenal are planning to sign PSV Eindhoven player Jefferson Farfan.

The PSV Eindhoven hitman has been a long term transfer target of Chelsea Football Club boss Jose Mourinho.

But Arsene Wenger has reportedly stolen a march on his Stamford Bridge counterpart.

It is understood that Farfan has been sounded out over a move to the Gunners and the response was favourable.

The Peruvian believes he stands a better chance of making the first team cut at Arsenal and £3m is set to change hands between the Gunners and PSV this summer.

Cesc Fabregas said that he will one day return to playing in Catalunya, but is not ready to move home just yet.

The former Barcelona youngster has been linked with a return to Spain this summer, but he has continued to refute the rumours and insists that he is happy playing for Arsenal.

With Barca and Real Madrid both said to be interested in him, the 19-year-old refused to rule out switching clubs in the future.

“I do not know where I am going to be in two, three or four years,” he said.

“I am 19. I am only young and I have much more to learn. It is obvious that I am very happy at Arsenal, but I cannot predict what will happen in the future.”

“My girlfriend is Catalan and I expect that I will finish my career playing back in Catalunya,” he stated.

The Spanish international opted to move to Arsenal from Barca when he was 16 in the belief that he would receive a better chance of playing in the first team regularly at the London club.

Arsenal’s Artro Lupoli has signed a 5 year deal with Fiorentina.

The Italy under-21 international, currently on loan at Derby County, is out of contract in the summer and had been chased by a number of clubs in his homeland, including Napoli, Milan, Inter and Torino.

Lupoli joined Arsenal from Parma in the summer of 2004 and made nine appearances for the Gunners.

Arsenal are said to be looking to sign Barcelona striker Samuel Etoo next season. It is believed that Arsenal are lining up a bid of 20 million GBP for the star striker. It is understood that this is the last season for him in Nou Camp following his public criticism of coach Rijkaard and Ronaldinho. Etoo has praised Wenger in the past, and it looks likely that he might consider a move to the Emirates in the summer. It is also reported that Chelsea are interested in him and are ready to offer a 50 million GBP for his services.

Watch this space

Arsene Wenger could bid 6 million GBP for Charles N’Zogbia of Newcastle United in the summer.

The French coach has been assured by his board that funds will be available to boost his squad at the end of the season, and the Newcastle United man is said to have leapt to the top of his wanted list.

“We have always found funds for the manager when he wants funds,” said managing director Keith Edelman. “Arsene is one of the managers who builds his squad very carefully.”

The Magpies would be reluctant to part company with N’Zogbia, yet an offer of £6million could well prove too good for manager Glenn Roeder to turn down.

Arsene Wenger is under pressure to open formal talks with Jens Lehmann over a new contract after Stuttgart emerged as favourites to sign the Arsenal keeper.

Jens has been courting offers from clubs in his home country since January 1.

Although Wenger has already stated a desire to keep the 37-year-old, it is understood that he is prepared to replace him with Manuel Almunia next season if Lehmann decides to leave after four years.

Almunia’s form in this season’s Carling Cup has convinced Wenger that he is capable of becoming the club’s No 1.

Lehmann’s contract expires at the end of the season but Wenger is refusing to bow to his demands for a two-year extension. Wenger’s policy for players over the age of 30 is to offer only a 12-month deal.

Wenger is already lining up a new keeper — CSKA Moscow’s Igor Akinfeev and Celtic’s Artur Boruc are both under consideration.

Lehmann said: “One-year deals are pretty good because you can’t allow yourself any letdowns. I haven’t given myself a time limit on a new contract, but the Bundesliga and Spain are alternatives.

“It doesn’t matter when I leave Arsenal. I like London, the club and the stadium, but there are other aspects. I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

A Juventus delegation was in attendance at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday as Gilberto Silva played for Brazil against Portugal.

Juve see him as an ideal signing if, as expected they return to Serie A next season.

Gilberto has made close to 200 Arsenal appearances since moving from Brazil in 2002.

Brazil coach Dunga was quoted after the game as saying: “For me, he’s a player who can do good things in the Italian league, who can play in a big club like Juve.

“He is mature and he doesn’t fear responsibility.”

Arsenal might sign a Spanish sensation next season.

Wenger is thought to be keeping tabs on Javier Patino, who currently turns out for AD Alcobendas.

The 18-year-old Spanish predator has bagged 21 goals this season, so is very much in the public eye at present.

Watch this space for more information.

Joe O’Cearuill has signed an extension to his loan agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 19-year-old centre back joined the League One side last month and made his debut in the FA Cup Third Round tie against West Ham at Upton Park. He will now stay with the Seagulls until March 3.

O’Cearuill has made five appearance for Neil Banfield’s Reserves this season and was an unused substitute in the Carling Cup Third Round victory at West Bromwich Albion.

O’Cearuill also appeared as a substitute in the Dennis Bergkamp Testimonial – the first ever match at Emirates Stadium – and played 90 minutes of the Club’s first pre-season friendly of last summer, a 0-0 draw at Barnet.

Source:www.arsenal.com

Arsene Wenger has admitted he was happy to see Gareth Bale stay at Southampton during the transfer window.

The 17-year-old left back was widely tipped to move to the Premiership in January, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham all interested in signing the Welsh international.

However, the transfer deadline passed with Bale staying at Southampton.

Wenger was pleased to hear that Bale moved nowhere as he admitted it gives his side a chance of signing the player in the future.

“Yes, that’s right,” smiled Wenger when asked if he was pleased that Bale had stayed. “The good thing is that we still have a chance. He’s a special talent.”