Luc Castaignos' agent has substantiated rumours linking Feyenoord prospect to Arsenal.

The 16-year-old forward is highly rated in the Netherlands, even more so after finishing top scorer in the recent UEFA Under-17 European Championship.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is said to be a keen admirer of the €4 million-valued teen, but the signs are pointing towards Gunners boss Arsene Wenger (pictured) beating him to the punch – especially after the youngster’s representative talked to Sportweek as if a deal with the London is a distinct possibility.

"Luc needs to develop at his own pace," said the agent. "He realises that this move will be good for his career, but he will only sign for Arsenal if the club is prepared to let him stay on loan.

"If that does not happen he will remain under contract at Feyenoord."

It is thought that it will take a bid in excess of €4 million to prise Castaignos from the Feijenoord Stadion as he recently inked a three-year contract with the club

Premier League pair Arsenal and Manchester United will be buoyed by the news that defensive target Mamadou Sakho has intimated that he could be open to a move away from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Sakho, 19, is a versatile French Under-21 international who rose to continental prominence for his displays in Ligue 1 this campaign. He is noted for his leadership credentials, his tireless engine, a hard-working attitude and his tackling ability.

The player informed L'Equipe recently that there is a "doubt" over his future and that he will make a decision when he returns from holiday.

"Obviously there is a doubt,” he said. “I have not spoken with the coach, I do not know if he's counting on me for next season.

"Do I already have offers? Frankly, I will first go on vacation, calm down, and I [will] see what happens."

Arsenal have been consistently linked with Sakho throughout the past campaign and were believed by The Sun to be near to capturing the Frenchman during the winter window. The Gunners' ability to add Sakho to their defensive artillery, though, could hinge on a successful PSG move for Argentinean defender Gabriel Heinze

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he has no intention of copying Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, and moving to Real Madrid in a big money transfer.

The side from the Spanish capital had an offer of £80 million for the Portuguese accepted by the Red Devils, but Fabregas, a Catalan, claims that he wants to to bring silverware to the Emirates, not play for the 'new Galacticos' being assembled at the Bernabeu.

Barcelona, too, have been all but ruled out.

"Of course I see my future at Arsenal. I have a very long contract with the club," Fabregas, speaking before the Ronaldo move was confirmed, said in an interview with Arsenal TV Online.

"I would have never signed that if I did not think I was capable of making it (to the end of the contract).

"The boss knows that I really want to stay here. What you cannot stop is what people say about you. The press can write or say whatever they want.

"Here, I do not get involved at all. Since I am 18, they have been saying that - but I am still here."

And Fabregas acknowledged that he was a man who allowed emotion to govern his actions, and his sentimental attraction to the Gunners meant that he had no plans to leave just yet.

"I just say what I feel - and what I feel is that I hope I can be at Arsenal for many years and lift trophies which they have never lifted before, like the Champions League, to lift the Premier League, FA Cups," he added.

"I am really looking forward to it because I am sure the future is bright here."

The director of the Dutch football federation has admitted that he will be seeking "clarification" regarding a football school Arsenal are planning to set up in the Netherlands.

The English club are notorious for bringing up young players into the first-team but have been accused at times of signing too many youngsters from abroad.

This latest move to set up a school in the Nertherlands has been seen by some as a way to scout even more youngsters and Henk Kesler assures that they will not let clubs hijack players.

"We have recently received a message that Arsenal want to have a football school in the Netherlands, but that does not appear to be the intention. We will shortly be asking for clarification from the English FA," he wrote on the KNVB website.

It is reported that the training schools are set to start in September in Berschenhoek, Heinenoord and Barendrecht, with the most talented players going over the London.

However, the statement by Kesler could well stall those plans and could put the move into doubt if there is not sufficient clarification.

Milan are in the hunt for a world-class defender this summer, following the retirement of their legendary captain Paolo Maldini a few weeks ago.

The average age of the Rossoneri’s defensive unit is well over 30, meaning that they could do with some younger players at the back who are still yet to reach their peak.

As is generally the case with the Milanese club though, they have turned their attentions to a 31-year-old defender in Arsenal star William Gallas, who they were strongly linked to in January.

According to Sportsmediaset, a cashed-up Milan outfit are prepared to offer Arsene Wenger a healthy sum for the French player, who was stripped of his captaincy at the club midway through last season.

It will be an interesting deal to ponder, as the Gunners - notorious for their low expenditure in the transfer market - could certainly make a nice profit from the Italian club.