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After a couple of brief cameo’s earlier this season, Arsenal’s Mexican prodigy Carlos Vela has all but disappeared from the spotlight. After a productive September, he entered a period of hibernation and hasn’t been seen since. He’s made 11 appearances this season in all competitions (most of them as a substitute) and has notched up 3 goals.

Since Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott and Niklas Bendtner have returned from injury, it’s been nigh on impossible for the diminutive Mexican to get a game. Without a run-of-games Vela has been unable to build up his confidence and start playing his best football. This in turn has seen some fans suggest that it’s time for Vela to leave Arsenal.

Now the latest news regarding the 21-year-old is that he has become a January target for Bolton Wanderers. Bolton Boss Owen Coyle is keen to bring him to the Reebok and give him some time on the pitch.

Last season the Wanderer’s took Jack Wilshere on loan. At the time Wilshere was a talented player who could pass and move the ball better than about 99% of his age group, but there were questions regarding whether he had the requisite physicality to make it in the Premier League.

His time with Bolton added steeliness to his game. He came back tougher, more confident and ready to compete. Such is Wilshere’s development since his return from Bolton that he doesn’t look out of place in a midfield with both Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas. That Arsenal are still reaping the benefits from Wilshere’s loan move is good evidence to suggest that they’d benefit in the long run from loaning out Vela to Bolton.

Vela has shown flashes of brilliance and scored some great goals, but he has yet to add consistency to his game. Consistency is something that comes with time and as a young player, you want to play as many games as possible to ensure that you’re doing the best you can to further your development.

I’m sure that Vela is chomping at the bit to show Arsenal fans what he can do. Bolton have been playing some great football this season and Vela is a player with enough quality to fit right into their squad.

If Bolton can promise Arsenal that Vela will start plenty of games this season, then I’m sure the move will go through. Coyle will toughen him up, Vela will gain confidence and Bolton will have a quality player on their hands for half a season.

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With winners all round, I for one hope that this deal goes ahead.

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After finding himself forced to the sidelines through injury and the emergence of Jack Wilshere in the 2010-11 Premier League season, Denilson it was time for him to leave Arsenal. Last summer he returned to his former club Sao Paulo on a year-long loan spell but with his future at the Brazilian side now in doubt, it seems the future is looking bleaker than ever for the 24-year-old.

Declaring a desire for trophies and a return to the national team as his motives behind his return to South America, Denilson originally enjoyed a lot of first team football. With highly-rated Casemiro representing Brazil in the 2011 Under-20 World Cup last summer, his first-team opportunities were unhindered. However, his relationship with the club soon turned negative as he received three red cards in his first nine appearances for the club.

He struggled to adapt to the change in pace of the game as well as the extremely different refereeing standards. The Tricolor faithful bemoaned his petulance as his first dismissal, in just his second appearance, was due to dissent in the closing stages of a match. His relationship with the supporters was soured further last October when he branded the fans of the club as “very, very annoying” for calling from then-manager Adilson Batista’s head.

With Sao Paulo sliding away from the top of the table Batista was given the sack later that month and Emerson Leao was brought in as manager. But despite a regular starting berth, Denilson still failed to impress. His lacking performances coincided with the team’s failure to qualify for the Copa Libertadores after being eliminated in the Copa Sudamericana and finishing sixth in the league.

This year has seen a positive swing in the midfielder’s performances  following a long-term injury to 21-year-old midfielder Wellington in February. Denilson has thus stepped into a more pivotal role in the side and his displays throughout the Paulista state championship improved. After finishing second in the league stage of the competition, they were unfortunate to come up against a Neymar shaped wall in the semi-final.

Yet Denilson’s form at the start of the year has begun to endear him to the fans once more. Player and club have now agreed an extension to his loan, in kind, that would see him stay into 2013. But Arsenal have been reluctant to give their approval to the move as they would prefer a permanent transfer or risk losing the player on a free when his contract expires.

The deal was originally due to expire at the end of June but with the Tricolor currently holding a 1-0 lead over Coritiba in the semi-final of the Copa do Brasil, Denilson is likely to be able to stay until next month’s final. Sao Paulo are harbouring no hope that they could even keep the 24-year-old until December, when the current Brazilian league ends.

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This makes it clear that he is not wanted at Arsenal and is unlikely to find himself as part of the team again next season. The Gunners will simply offer him around and try to move him on in a permanent transfer in order to raise some funds. Denilson will only be able to stay at the Morumbi if Sao Paulo stump up the cash, but after heavy investment earlier this year it seems Denilson has not done enough to convince the club that he is a worthy signing.

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Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung has been offered a two-year contract extension, boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed.The South Korean’s current deal expires at the end of the 2011-2012 campaign, and there had been speculation that the 30-year-old could leave the club.

However, Park now looks set to commit his future to the Premier League champions, with Ferguson hailing the player’s professionalism and also signalling he is firmly part of his plans for this season.

Speaking to reporters on the club’s pre-season tour of the USA, the Scot said: “He’s been offered a new contract, yes. I’m sure he’ll sign it. His career at United has been nothing but excellent. He’s a tremendous professional.”

“I’m sure he’ll accept a new offer and tie himself to the club for the next two years.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson has moved to allay any fears over the departure of Portuguese winger Nani, whose position at the club has been drawn under scrutiny following the arrival of Ashley Young.

“Nani is a good player and his personality is improving. We will be challenging next season and will play a lot of games. He did really well last season, but Valencia came back and his form was so good it was difficult to leave him out,” he said.

“Nani was unfortunate not to be picked for the Champions League final, but he is still young and he is maturing all the time.”

The Scot also remains confident his compatriot Darren Fletcher will regain fitness in time for the new season. The 27-year-old has only played 106 minutes of first-team football since March 6, having contracted a virus in February.

“Darren’s recovering from this virus he’s had for quite a few months,” he said.

“Sometimes viruses do take time. He’s been into Carrington for the last few days and he’s doing a weight program at the moment. Hopefully by the time we get back he’ll be rejoining us.”

Wolves fans are a notoriously hard bunch to please and no one will know that better than Mick McCarthy. After being among the biggest summer spenders, the Molineux faithful were expecting to see their team improve from last year and perhaps even separate themselves from the strugglers. Instead, Wolves find themselves 19th, level on points with West Ham in 20th and above them only on goals scored.

Wolves’ bad form means that Mick McCarthy’s position is being questioned by fans and media alike with names like Ray Wilkins and Chris Hughton being mentioned as his potential replacement. But all is not lost for McCarthy, Wolves face Birmingham and West Brom in their next two games and nothing can lighten the mood around a struggling football team like a win over its nearest rivals. Should Wolves pick up at least five points from their next three games against Birmingham, West Brom and crucially Wigan then there could be some light at the end of the tunnel.

There is no question that these games are winnable for McCarthy’s men. Birmingham are hard to beat but are struggling for points, form goes out of the window when the Black Country comes around and Wigan at home is, to put it simply, a must win game. The prospect of coming through these matches winless is a thought Wolves fans dare not entertain and would surely signal the end of McCarthy’s reign.

Optimists would say that there is over half the season left to play and a good run of form, like Wolves found in March last season, would push them up the league. However last year the league was rather different and it was easier to pick three teams that were worse than Wolves, this year the league is tougher and the three promoted teams all seem to have taken quickly to their new division.

A derby win, as previously said, can lift the gloom from any club, but a defeat can be equally as devastating. Wolves have a terrible record in Midlands derbies recently and another loss in the next two weeks could prove to be too much. Wolves have recorded one win in their last nine games against the Baggies, one win in ten against Birmingham and the last time they toppled Villa was in 1980. History is not on Wolves’ side and McCarthy will be praying for some luck come Sunday.

The truth though is Wolves aren’t playing too badly. They had a host of chances at Ewood Park on Saturday and were dreadfully unlucky not to score. But from a different point of view Wolves proved what many already knew – they have the worst defence in the league. Conceding 30 goals in 16 games won’t keep you up and letting Blackburn score twice from set-pieces at the weekend if a sure fire way to self-destruct. It is true that Wolves have suffered a few injuries to their back four and the loss of Jody Craddock has hit them hard, but when a team’s defensive stability rest on the shoulders of a 35 year-old centre-half then things really are looking bad.

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Sunday’s Midlands derby and the following weeks Black Country derby may well prove to be the most entertaining and most important in years. But should evens transpire against Wolves over the next few weeks Mick McCarthy could be losing more than just league points.

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Manchester City are believed to preparing a massive bid to tempt Tottenham to sell star man Gareth Bale this summer, according to Mirror Football.

The Wales international winger has been recognised as one of the most devastating wingers in the European game, with stellar performances domestically and in the Champions League leading to the wideman receiving the PFA Player of the Year Award last term.

Barcelona have been credited with an interest in Bale, with the player’s future hanging in the balance as he waits to see where Tottenham finish in the Premier League standings this season.

The newspaper indicate that Roberto Mancini’s men will offer the White Hart Lane club £40 million plus players in exchange for the star’s services.

Emmanuel Adebayor would be one set to go to north London permanently, with Adam Johnson or Nigel De Jong other players that could be included.

City are also ready to triple Bale’s wages to well over £100,000-a-week.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is adamant he wants to keep a hold of French midfielder Samir Nasri.The 24-year-old starred for Arsenal last season, netting 10 goals from 30 Premier League appearances, which saw him attract the interest of many clubs around the world, including English rivals Manchester United and Manchester City.

Recent reports suggest Nasri may have rejected a new deal with the Gunners, but Wenger was insistent that he wants the former Marseille midfielder to stay in North London.

“We will do everything to keep Nasri at the club,” Wenger said.

“My wish is that he stays here. If he looks back he can see that he’s come quite a long way with us, and I think there is still a bit to do. It’s the club that makes the player’s career.”

Wenger also spoke about his desire to keep Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy, who are attracting interest from Barcelona and Manchester City respectively.

“Obviously we want them to stay,” he said.

“They are part of Arsenal and big players for the club so we want them to stay, but we will see.”

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has suggested he would be interested in bringing Roque Santa Cruz back to the club, should he be available for transfer from Manchester City in the New Year.

The Paraguay striker has failed to make a telling impact at Eastlands since moving to be reunited with former Rovers boss Mark Hughes in June 2009.

But Allardyce insists no move has yet been made for the 29-year-old.

"All I said was if Roque was available we would be interested," he said.

"There has been no progress on it. In the next seven to ten days I will speak to the chairman about the way we go forward in January."

Meanwhile, full-back Pascal Chimbonda has been told he can find a new club in January after Allardyce confirmed his contract, which expires in the summer, will not be renewed.

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"We are not going to renew his contract," he added.

"His determination is to find a new contract and we feel for both concerned it is better to let him see what he can get in January."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s football career is on an upward trajectory as he is now a regular feature in the Liverpool first-team squad.

It appears that his international future is also looking positive as he trained with the England senior squad on Tuesday.

According to Sky Sports, the full-back has not been added to Gareth Southgate’s setup for friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy, but was invited to train with the players at St George’s Park.

Alexander-Arnold is expected to play for the England Under-21s against Romania this week.

The 19-year-old has become a more regular figure at Anfield having started 18 matches in all competitions, including 13 in the Premier League.

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The Merseyside-born teen has already built up a good relationship with the fans, and that was evident when they gave him words of encouragement following his disappointing display against Manchester United.

After hearing that Alexander-Arnold had been welcomed into senior training with England, Liverpool fans could not hide their joy.

Robert Green believes that QPR’s current side has more spirit and “heart” than the star-studded one he was a part of in the 2012-13 campaign, which ended in relegation.

The Super Hoops bounced straight back up to the top tier last season via the play-offs after sliding out of the division on the back of some limp showings.

QPR’s relegation season was one in which the club were criticised for possessing a number of overpaid and under-motivated players, with big names such as Julio Cesar, Jose Bosingwa, Djibril Cisse and Park Ji-Sung – who all had Champions League winners medals in their possession – in the squad

WANT MORE? >> QPR transfer news | Latest transfer news

Nowadays the Londoners boast a set-up with less glamorous names in the starting XI on a weekly basis.

And Green – a regular this term – believes that the new attitude makes this side a tougher proposition than the one he used to be in:

“In terms of what people have done, there were more medals in that 2012-13 squad, but there is undoubtedly more heart in this team. I know which camp I’d rather be in.” he told the London Evening Standard.

“The caring and the willingness to do well for each other, the club and yourself is there. You can’t buy that as proved by a couple of years ago. When you’ve got a group of 20 lads, inevitably over the year people will fall by the wayside sporadically. But if you have the majority all pushing in the same direction, like we are now, you need that movement to keep pulling everyone along.

“When you’ve got 20 lads and just five or six pulling in one direction and 14 in other, it’s nigh on impossible. It’s like herding cats. You can’t get everyone in the same place let alone in the same direction. It sounds simple, but when it goes wrong like it did back then, it’s very hard to drag back.

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“We had such an awful start last time (it took a Premier League record 17 games to record their first victory), we never recovered from it.

“On paper the team was good. We fell under the impression that ‘of course we are going to win games’. It hardly happened. Credit to the manager (Harry Redknapp) it was recognised and through a lot of hard work, fire-fighting and transfer windows, it’s been turned around.”

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Southampton are ready to make a £13m double move to sign Jack Butland and Davide Astori, according to reports from The Mirror.

The Saints have enjoyed a relatively solid start to the Premier League season, but find themselves in the relegation zone heading into the New Year.

This has led to speculation that manager Nigel Adkins will look to strengthen his squad, with their leaky defence – which has conceded 37 goals – being top of his list of priorities.

Birmingham’s Butland is seen as the ideal candidate between the posts, with current number Kelvin Davis failing to produce the required level of displays.

The England international is said to be available for around £5m, with his club keen to sell due to financial difficulties.

They may face competition from Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton, who are all thought to be keen on the 19-year-old.

As well as a new goalkeeper, Adkins is also keen to bring in another centre-back, and will turn his attention to Cagliari’s Astori.

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The 25-year-old Italian has been in impressive form for the Serie A side this term, attracting the attention of clubs such as Napoli and Juventus.

It is thought that a bid of £8m will be enough to persuade Cagliari to part company with one of their star men.