A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies 

Gokhan Inler to Arsenal
With primary target Melo almost certain to join Juventus, Arsenal have been forced to look elsewhere for a new midfielder. However, reports suggest Arsene Wenger is restricting his search to Serie A and now wants to sign £10 million-rated Gokhan Inler from Udinese.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Arsenal were linked with the Swiss international a lot last summer so hopefully this doesn’t drag on as long as the Andrey Arshavin saga did, especially as this transfer window has been fairly interesting and unpredictable so far.

Tuncay to Everton or Aston Villa
Middlesbrough’s local paper the Evening Gazette states that Aston Villa are looking to complete a £20 million double deal for Stewart Downing and

Mido, Afonso Alves, Mohamed Shawky and Tuncay are hiding somewhere in this hectic market scene. If you spot them, please alert Middlesbrough Football Club immediately.

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The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Maicon to Chelsea
According to Sportitalia’s transfer “expert” Alfredo Pedulla, the Brazilian’s move to Stamford Bridge is “very probable”. He adds:

“It will be the week of the interweaving with Chelsea. Inter should be led to accept by having Deco and Ricardo Carvalho added in the negotiation.”

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Maicon can’t seem to make up his mind and we don’t see any reason to take this guy’s word as gospel. (In other words, we have no idea if this is true.)

Karim Benzema to Arsenal
Real Madrid have reportedly offered Lyon £27m for their prized striker and Manchester Utd have also registered an interest, but Professor Wenger believes the presence of French team-mates William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Mikael Silvestre will tempt him to North London.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: We can’t see Arsenal offering