Italian duo battle it out for United outcast Nani

FABIO BORINI’S agent wants talks with Liverpool, with the club understood to have rejected loan offers as they look to sell the striker. Lazio are interested and agent Marco de Marchi said: ‘Several teams have asked for Fabio on loan but the Liverpool board have always refused.’

NEWCASTLE want Marco van Ginkel on loan from Chelsea and Patrick Bamford. MANCHESTER CITY are close to signing Arles Avignon 17-year-old Ismael Bennacer on a three-year deal. PRESTON have signed Jermaine Beckford, 31, on a permanent two-year deal.

ROMA want Manchester United winger Nani. The Portuguese international is available for £10million, although his £100,000-a-week wages are a stumbling block. Inter Milan have also considered the 28-year-old but are focusing immediate interest on Chelsea’s Juan Cuadrado, proposing an initial loan with a view to a permanent deal. United are to rebuff any interest from Valencia in reserve goalkeeper Victor Valdes but expect further news on David de Gea this week. De Gea’s agent Jorge Mendes is due to hold talks with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the 24-year-old has indicated he wants to move to the Bernabeu. Meanwhile, Petr Cech has hinted he would prefer to stay in London. Cech is a target for Arsenal and told Czech media outlet Sport1: ‘I look at all the options, regardless of the country but if I move it brings difficulties.’ Chelsea, who will loan Andreas Christensen to Borussia Monchengladbach, are close to finalising a deal for Brommapojkarna’s 16-year-old Swedish midfielder Joseph Colley.

RON VLAAR has cast doubt on his Aston Villa future by insisting he can play at a higher level. The Dutch centre back (above), 30, has been offered a new deal by manager Tim Sherwood but told Fox Sports: ‘I’ll think about it. I want to maximise my career and think I can go a step higher.’