FOOTBALL SHORTS

■ MIDFIELDER Henrikh Mkhitaryan has left Arsenal to join Serie A side Roma after having his contract terminated by mutual consent. The Armenian had a year left on his £180,000per-week deal. But Dani Ceballos has agreed to return to Arsenal for a second season-long loan from Real Madrid, with the two clubs in advanced talks over a new agreement.

■ ASTON VILLA have stepped up their interest in Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson and they remain keen on Brentford’s Ollie Watkins, who is rated at £25million. The club are also close to finalising a £15m deal for Nottingham Forest right back Matty Cash.

■ CRYSTAL PALACE are leading the chase to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher on loan.

■ LEICESTER CITY have stepped up talks with Atalanta over a deal for versatile full back Timothy Castagne. Fulham’s Joe Bryan is also on their radar.

■ LEEDS are in talks with Dinamo Zagreb over Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. The 18-year-old can play both left back and centre back.

■ WATFORD remain keen on Fulham defender Alfie Mawson while forward Fernando Forestieri is training with the club.

■ WOLVES are discussing a move for versatile Getafe defender Djene Dakonam.