Arsenal to Unleash Carlos Vela in January?

Arsene Wenger is considering bringing wonder-kid Carlos Vela back to Arsenal in January if the Mexican obtains a Spanish passport as expected.

The forward has been loaned out to Spanish clubs for the last few years and is currently on loan at Osasuna, where he has made three appearances in the Primera Division this season.

It is understood that Arsenal have an option to recall Vela from the loan deal and are likely to exercise this in January.

For those who haven't seen the youngster in action before, here is a video from Youtube with some of his goals:

Friday Transfer Gossip

First off, it seems the Carlos Tevez transfer saga could finally be coming to an end. BBC Sport report that West Ham have agreed a settlement, believed to be £2million, to allow Tevez to join Manchester United. Tevez will return from his holidays this weekend to finalise the move on a two year contract.

Brazilian defender Alex has now received a work permit, allowing him to play in England. BBC Sport reports that the player will now return to England to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with Chelsea.

Manchester City completed the signing of Brazilian international Elano from Shakhtar Donetsk yesterday. BBC Sport report that the midfielder has signed a four year deal with the Premiership club, with the transfer fee thought to be £8million.

Newcastle are close to completing the free transfer signing of Lyon's Brazilian defender Claudio Capaca, according to The Independent.

Earlier this week, Shakhtar Donetsk completed the signings of two Latin Americans. Uefa,com report that Mexican striker Nery Castillo signed for £14million from Olympiakos, with Sao Paulo defender Ilsinho also joining the Ukrainian club for an undisclosed fee.

CA Osasuna have confirmed the loan signing of Arsenal's Carlos Vela for one year. Marca (Spanish link) report that the Mexican forward will be presented to the media on Saturday.

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Real Madrid tried to sign Angel Di Maria from Benfica, hours after he agreed to join the Portugese side. Benfica turned down Real's overtures and have slapped a 30million Euro release clause in the five year contract that the young Argentine has now signed with the club.

The Gazzetta Della Sport (Italian link) reports that Fiorentina are close to agreeing a deal to sign Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta.

Finally, Gazzetta (Italian link) also report that Catania have agreed a fee with Nacional de Montevideo for the signing of Jorge Martinez. The striker is expected in Italy on Monday for a medical and to agree personal terms.

Sunday Transfer Gossip

First off, Portsmouth have made a £4million offer for Hamburg's Peruvian striker Jose Paolo Guerrero, according to The People.

The Sunday Mirror report that Newcastle are interested in signing Brazilian Julio Baptista, who has just returned to Real Madrid after a year on loan at Arsenal.

Sky Sports are now confirming that Carlos Vela will join Osasuna on loan for next season, with a possiblity of a second year on loan depending on Arsenal's wishes for the player.

Finally, FIFA and the English Football Association will meet on Monday in an attempt to resolve the Carlos Tevez affair. BBC Sport report that Manchester United expect the proceedings to be completed before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Saturday Transfer Gossip

First off, Gabriel Heinze may fight to join Liverpool, despite Manchester United rejecting a bid from their rivals for the Argentine international, according to BBC Sport. Many newspapers are also reporting that he may take United to court if they refuse to allow the move.

West Ham are the latest team to express an interest in Roma winger Mancini according to the Daily Express.

Aldo Duscher has joined Racing Santander on a free transfer from Deportivo La Coruna, as reported by Sky Sports.

Despite previous reports that Carlos Vela would join Almeria on loan next season, it now seems that Osasuna is the more likely destination for the Mexican. Marca (Spanish link) report that Osasuna have all but sealed the deal, but will not make an official statement until all the details are completed.

Finally, Cristian Ledesma is "80%" certain of transferring from San Lorenzo to Olympiakos in Greece according to Ole (Spanish link). The fee to take 50% ownership of the player is currently the only contentious issue.

Wednesday Transfer Gossip

First off, Manchester City have snapped up Geovanni from under the noses of fellow Premier League side Portsmouth. BBC Sport report that the Brazilian has signed a one year deal at the Eastlands having previously trained for a week with Portsmouth.

It seems Arsenal are content to leave Carlos Vela in Spain until a European passport can be obtained at the end of the year. The Daily Mirror report that the Mexican will be loaned out to newly promoted Almeria in the Primera Division for the coming season.

It seems that it is not just Manchester City and West Ham who are after Roque Santa Cruz. The Daily Mail report that £5.5million bids from Sevilla and Galatasary have already been accepted for the Bayern Munich striker, leaving the two English clubs needing to at least match those bids to stay in the running for his signature.

Inter Milan confirmed the signing of two Latin Americans yesterday. Sky Sports report that Chilean Luis Jimenez has joined from fellow Serie A side Lazio, with Colombian defender Nelson Rivas joining from River Plate.

Sky also report that Brazilian Edu Dracena is keen on a move to England, with Everton and Bolton both thought to be keen on the Fenerbache defender.

Juan Riquelme's move to Atletico Madrid has been put on hold until after their Intertoto Cup campaign. Marca (Spanish link) report that a fee of £10million has been agreed with Villarreal but the Madrid side need to see if they qualify for the UEFA Cup before making any further big money transfers.

Finally, Lazio appear to have won the race to sign Juan Pablo Carrizo, with Ole (Spanish link) reporting that a $10million fee has been agreed with River Plate. The goalkeeper is expected to sign a five year contract with the Italian side upon arrival in Rome tomorrow according to the Gazetta Della Sport (Italian link).

Friday Transfer Gossip

First off, the Gazetta Della Sport (Italian link) report that Alexandre Pato's agent Gilmar Veloz was in Milan yesterday to discuss a move for the talented striker. AC are looking to strike a deal before fellow interested parties Chelsea and Real Madrid get in on the act.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Valencia are not going to be forced into a quick resolution of the transfer of Lucho Gonzalez from FC Porto. Although the player is their number one target for the attacking midfielder position, they are saying calm in the negotiations.

Atletico Madrid are believed to be close to agreeing a fee with Villarreal for Juan Riquelme, thought to be in the region of 10million Euros, according to Marca (Spanish link).

Riquelme's Boca Juniors teammate Martin Palermo has pleaded with the club to do all they can to keep the playmaker at the club in Ole (Spanish link).

Whereas Marca (Spanish link) also report that Real Madrid may turn to the talented Argentine after missing out on Cesc Fabregas. However, they are understood to have questions about his character and could turn instead to Werder Breman's Brazilian playmaker Diego.

Arsenal are weighing up whether to apply for a work permit for Mexican wonderkid Carlos Vela, as reported by the Daily Mirror. He can obtain an EU passport if he stays on loan in Spain until January, but Arsenal may feel that their situation means they need him in the squad sooner, rather than later.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Barcelona are also having nationalisation problems with their Mexican youngster Giovanni Dos Santos. The club currently have too many players without EU passports, which will limit the playing time they are able to give the talented eighteen year old, hence the need to get him a Spanish passport.

Finally, Sky Sports report that Carlos Tevez will be in England next Wednesday for his Manchester United medical. It will be interesting to see whether the other paperwork regarding the deal is also sorted by that time.