Manchester United to swap Robin Van Persie for Arturo Vidal

Are Manchester United about to shock the football world again? After signing Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie in August 2012, it now looks like Van Persie is about to be on the move again.

January Transfer Window: Players on the move?

With the January Transfer Window opening on Wednesday, we here at The Football News Network take a look at some players that could make a move to new clubs.

Juan Mata (Chelsea)

Last year's Chelsea player-of-the-year, Mata can't get into Jose Mourinho's team this season, and with the World Cup coming up in June, the Spaniard needs to play or he won't be going to Brazil. PSG and Inter have expressed an interest and if they are prepared to offer around £35-£40m they could get their man. Inter could be in Pole position as Chelsea want to sign Fredy Guarin for about £15m.

Michy Batshuayi (Standard Liege)

The 20 year-old Belgian striker is having a wonderful season, scoring fourteen goals in twenty-one games. He is attracting a lot of interest from Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Everton and Swansea. Predominatly right-footed, he can play just as well with his left-foot, he's strong in the challenge and has an eye for goal. It's rumoured that Arsenal have a deal in place where they loan him to Anderlecht for the rest of the season, which has been vehemently denied by Standard. Arsenal do need another striker to work alongside Olivier Giroud so it would seem strange to loan him out. Batshuayi would be available for around £10m

Kevin De Bruyne (Chelsea)

If De Bruyne has any aspirations to play in the World Cup in Brazil he needs to leave Chelsea in January, whether on-loan or permanently. His talent is being wasted on the bench. Atletico Madrid have enquired about him and are prepared to make a bid. There is also huge interest from a host of Bundesliga clubs, including Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg. Inter Milan and Juventus have also expressed an interest from Serie A. He will probably be one of the most sought after players in this Transfer Window.

Nani (Manchester United)

Nani hasn't really featured under new boss David Moyes, and it looks like the Portuguese winger could be about to depart Old Trafford. He has been linked with a move to Italy with Inter Milan and Juventus keeping a close eye on his situation. With United actively pursuing wide players like Fredy Guarin, the time to move on could be coming close.

Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan)

Fredy Guarin has become hot property this season, with Chelsea and Manchester United both actively pursuing the Colombian winger. His agent was in London recently meeting with both clubs representatives, and a fee was apparently agreed, but it's not quite known if the player is keen on a move at this stage of the season. With new owner Erick Thohir looking to bring in a host of new players this January, it remains to be seen if Guarin is part of his plans.

Julian Draxler (Schalke)

Julian Draxler is one of the most exciting midfielders in European Football this season. Manchester United are believed to be preparing a bid of £25m to try and lure the German International. He has been in great form for Schalke, both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League as they have qualified for the last 16. With the World Cup in Brazil on the horizon, it's difficult for Draxler to move in this window, as he has just established himself in the German National team. And, with their progress in the Champions League it might be wise to put any move off until the summer. 

Demba Ba (Chelsea)

Another player who needs to be playing games at this stage of his career. Arsenal were trying to do a deal for him at the start of the season but Chelsea weren't willing to do a deal with a Title rival, whether that has changed now is debatable. With Arsenal now top of the Premier League, would Chelsea sell to them now? I don't think so. Newcastle United would dearly love for him to return to Tyneside, but maybe a move to Italy, to Serie A giants Roma or Inter Milan might be on the cards.

Radja Nainggolan (Cagliari)

Nainggolan has been coveted by Milan for a while now, and it looks like they had agreed a deal. The club confirmed that Nainggolan could leave in January only this week, however they now seem to have backed away from that statement, saying that the Belgian will not be leaving until the summer. Milan have been joined by Inter, Juventus, Roma, PSG and Southampton so maybe it's going to turn into an auction. Only time will tell, but it looks like Nainggolan's time is up in Cagliari.

Mohamed Salah (Basel)

Ever since Basel defeated Chelsea home and away in the Champions League, Mohamed Salah's name is on everybody's lips. The Egyptian midfielder, 21 has been a revaluation for Basel these past couple of seasons and with four goals already this season he has become a transfer target for lots of clubs. According to reports over the past few days it appears that Liverpool have agreed a deal for his signature.

Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur)

Lamela hasn't really settled into life in London since his £30m move from Roma at the start of the season. Still only 22 and an Argentine International, he has massive potential and maybe a loan move back to Serie A for the rest of the season could be just the tonic he needs to get his career back on track. Not been able to break into the Tottenham team under Andre Villas Boas for whatever reason, hasn't put off potential suitors, with Inter and Atletico Madrid showing plenty of interest. Tottenham may be willing to let Lamela go out on loan, but a permanent deal I don't think is on the cards unless someone comes in with a huge offer which they can't refuse.

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

Liverpool tried hard to sign the Brazilian in the summer, and how they wish they had. He is having a phenomenal season, one of the main reasons Atletico are joint top of La Liga with Barcelona. Nineteen goals form only seventeen games is just a remarkable record. He has become very hot property, with a host of clubs interested in signing him. It would take an astronomical figure to prise him away from Spain. Arsenal have been showing most interest, with Manchester United, Chelsea and most recently Borussia Dortmund all talking him up. Atletico are under no pressure to sell the striker, and it may well be the summer before anything, if anything happens.

Alessio Cerci (Torino)

Cerci is wanted by Manchester United, if reports are to be believed. Also interested are Chelsea, Arsenal, Roma and Tottenham. Cerci has admitted his desire to return to Roma some day, but for now feels that he is ready to step up to Champions League Football. Having scored nine goals in seventeen games already for Torino, the 26 year-old would be an attraction for any of those clubs. A bid of around £16m could secure his services.

Kurt Zouma (Saint Etienne)

19 year-old Zouma is making waves in France with some superb performances in defence for fifth-placed Saint Etienne. Having represented France at all levels up to under-21, it's only a matter of time before he makes the step up to the full National team. At six-foot and three inches tall he has a commanding presence. In April of this year France coach Didier Deschamps stated in an interview that he expected Zouma to be a future captain of the French National team, huge praise indeed. Inevitably, as a French youngster Arsenal have been looking at him, but he is also attracting attention from Chelsea, Manchester City and Monaco. According to reports though, Zouma is not interested in a move in January, however a large bid from the aforementioned could change all that.

Nemanja Matic (Benfica)

The Serbian International has fairly blossomed since he moved to Benfica from Chelsea in January 2011. In a deal that sent David Luis to London, Benfica got a very technically gifted midfielder in Matic. He signe a contract extension with Benfica in January 2013 tying him to the club until 2018, which includes a buy-out clause of €45m. Chelsea have been rumoured to be interested in bringing him back to Stamford Bridge, but only today it looks like Manchester City have won the race for his signature as City boss Manuel Pellegrini is a long time admirer of the Serbian midfielder.

Published by @gersloveofsport December 30

"The Pitbull" Edgar Davids Retires from Football

After a career spanning 22 years and nine different clubs, Dutch legend Edgar Davids today announced that he is retiring from Football.

Christmas Fixtures

Question: Do managers have the right to complain about the amount of games they have to play at this time of the year? Please get involved

Ireland: St Patrick's Athletic sign Republic of Ireland International

St Patrick's Athletic have pulled off something of a surprise, signing former Birmingham City and Ireland star Keith Fahey.

Where now for Tottenham?

Tottenham's Daniel Levy caused a stir during the week when he sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas after the 5-0 defeat to Liverpool. But with Villas-Boas now gone, who does Levy intend to turn to now?

Murat Yakin: A man in demand

Basel coach Murat Yakin has become a much-wanted man, especially after those two Champions League victories over Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side.

Is Hulk on his way to Chelsea?

It appears as if Chelsea are about to renew their interest in Brazilian Striker Hulk. Word coming out of  Russia is that Hulk has asked to leave Zenit St Petersburg in January, for the right price of course.

Is Aiden McGeady Premier League Bound?

Ex-Celtic star Aiden McGeady, now plying his trade in the Russian Premier League with Spartak Moscow has fallen out with manager Valeri Karpin.

FIFA World Cup: Can Belgium win the Trophy

Every FIFA World Cup brings together a story of surprise and excitement guaranteed by at least one nation during the competition. The power houses of world football including Spain, Germany, Brazil and Argentina are the bookmakers favourites to capture the former known Jules Rimet trophy, but why aren't a squad filled full of talent like Beligum's being considered for candidates for the trophy?

Liverpool trying to sign Serie A star Jorginho

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is stepping up the clubs interest in Hellas Verona attacking midfielder Jorginho.

Manchester United Star wanted as part of the Fredy Guarin deal

As reported yesterday, Manchester United want to sign Inter Milan winger Fredy Guarin. But, it's now reported that Inter officials have enquired about taking Mexican striker Javier Hernandez as part of the deal.

Argentina: 2013 Torneo Inicial Final Weekend

It all comes down to this. Two matches featuring the top four teams, and all separated by only two points. First will play third while second will play fourth.

Manchester United to sign Fredy Guarin?

Manchester United officials are due to meet the Colombians agent in London this week. Guarin, a Colombian International was part of the Porto team that won all before them in 2011 under then coach Andre Vlillas Boas.

Copa Sudamerica: Lanus are crowned Champions

Argentinian side Lanus have been crowned Copa Sudameria Champions for 2013. With the scores tied 1-1 after the first leg, Lanus went into the home second leg as favourites. Two first half goals sealed victory as the club won only their third major trophy in their history. Copa Conmebol Champions in 1996. Apertura Champions in 2007, and now Copa Sudamerica Champions.