Brazil: Former Arsenal Full-Back Juan Linked With European Return

Flamengo's highly-rated left-back Juan could be set for a January move to Europe according to reports in the Brazilian press, although his agent has indicated that there is yet to be any movement in relation to a transfer.

Juan, 26, was recently chosen as the best left-back of the Brazilian Serie A 2008 after some superb performances for Flamengo throughout the campaign, and received an international call-up for Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia in August.

Such form has attracted the attention of a number of European clubs, with Villarreal thought to be leading the race for his signature as they look to strengthen their options at left-back for the second half of the season.

Juan, who made two appearances for English side Arsenal as a youngster, has a buy-out clause of €6million in his contract with Flamengo and also holds Spanish citizenship, making him a very attractive proposition for any European side.

With this in mind, his agent Eduardo Uram is expecting to receive a number of proposals in the coming weeks.

"Nothing is happening at the moment. We would expect to see some movement when the European transfer window opens in January," he told GloboEsporte.

Brazil: Adriano Set For Flamengo Return?

Reports in the Italian press suggest that Inter Milan striker Adriano may have played his last game for the club, with Flamengo thought to be leading the race for his signature.

Adriano, 26, failed to make the squad for Inter's game against Chievo Verona on Sunday, with rumours circulating that his absence was due to an alcohol relapse, rather than injury, as the club's official statement had tried to suggest.

Inter have released Adriano to return to Brazil for Christmas a week ahead of schedule, and there are growing doubts over whether he is expected to return on the 2th January as originally planned.

Nerazzurri coach Jose Mourinho is said to be losing patience with the striker, and thus a move away from the San Siro in the near future is looking increasingly likely.

Should Adriano elect to return to Brazilian football rather than stay in Europe, then Flamengo, the club at which he started his career, would hope to be in pole position for his signature.

Flamengo president Marcio Braga is keen to make a big name signing in order to appease supporters unhappy over Ronaldo's decision to move to Corinthians rather than the Rubro Negro, and there is no doubt that sealing a deal for Adriano would go a long way towards doing so.

Adriano is scheduled to discuss his future with agent Gilmar Rinaldi upon his return to Brazil, with a number of clubs in Europe and South America likely to be keeping a keen eye on his situation as it unfolds over the winter break.