Inter and Arsenal to battle for Andre Ayew; Valencia join race for Nicolas Gaitan

Inter and Arsenal to battle for Andre Ayew

Inter are the latest side to have joined the race for Marseille forward Andre Ayew, The Mirror understands.

Despite his fragile age, the Ghanaian is widely considered to be one of the best forwards in French Ligue 1.

The 21-year-old has been in impressive form this season, scoring 9 goals in just 13 games, in spite of the fact that his side have been largely struggling on all fronts.

Ayew has been attracting admiring glances from big European clubs for quite a while and he is widely tipped to leave Marseille in January.

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a January bid for the player who recently revealed that he would be interested in a move to the Emirates.

However, the Gunners could face a stiff competition for the player’s signature from Inter, with the Neroazzurri also keen.

The Italian giants watched Ayew during Marseille vs Arsenal clash and are ready to step up their interest.

Valencia join race for Nicolas Gaitan

Valencia have shown interest in Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan, according to A Bola.

The Argentine made instant impact at Benfica after arriving to La Luz from Boca Juniors in the summer of 2010.

The 23-year-old has since become a key player for the Eagles and he’s been in scintillating form at the start of the new season.

Gaitan particularly impressed in the Champions League game against Manchester United, where he made a beautiful assist for Benfica’s only goal on the night.

The Red Devils and Paris Saint-Germain have expressed interest in the Argentina international after that game and it has now been reported that Valencia are also keen.

According to A Bola, los Che are weighing up move for Gaitan, as they look to add more creativity to their front line.

Valencia have had a pretty indifferent start to the season and coach Unai Emery is desperate to reinforce the squad in January.

Adel Taarabt blames Leonardo for failed PSG move

Queens Park Rangers playmaker Adel Taarabt reveals that it was Leonardo who blocked his move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

The Moroccan was looking to leave QPR for a bigger club in the summer and he was tempted by the prospect of joining Paris Saint-Germain.

Club’s new Qatari owners expressed a desire to sign the 22-year-old and opened negotiations with Queens Park Rangers, but the transfer eventually fell through.

Taarabt now reveals that PSG sporting director Leonardo was the reason why the deal didn’t come to fruition.

“He (Leonardo) called Flavio (Briatore, QPR president), but the first thing he said was ‘yes, but Adel’s character, all this…’,” Taarabt told Canal Plus.

“Flavio simply replied: ‘As you know, we were able to manage him last season, he gained us the promotion to the Premier League’.

”All this, these are excuses for Leonardo not to sign me because he had other priorities.”

Taarabt then revealed that Paris Saint-Germain could reignite their interest in January.

“They (Qatari owners) told me: ‘Give us another good six months, and in January, we will return’.”

For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2011/12 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.