The Departures Lounge: Arsenal step up their efforts to sign David Villa

Meanwhile, Sky Italia are reporting that AC Milan have made a bid for Mario Balotelli.

IT’S NO SECRET that Arsenal need another striker, and Arsene Wenger, it seems, is acutely aware of this fact.

Theo Walcott, Oliver Giroud, Gervihno and others have all failed to look fully convincing in the role, and so the Arsenal boss is hoping to invest in a striker with a proven track record in the form of David Villa.

Wenger admitted his side are less than healthy in the forward department, so the Spanish international could prove the ideal player to alleviate their problems, with a reported fee of around £10million being asked for the player’s services.

Elsewhere, Norwich are still determined to land Celtic striker Gary Hooper.

Celtic’s asking price is reportedly £8m, though Norwich are understood to be preparing a bid of £7m for the player.

Finally, QPR are apparently making an improved £3.25 million bid for Peter Odemwingie, with the player having recently requested a transfer from the club.

Going?

According to the Metro, Lewis Holtby is on the verge of signing for Tottenham, with the club hoping he can seal the £1.5m move in time for their game with West Brom this Saturday.

Going?

Sky Italia are reporting that AC Milan have made a bid for Mario Balotelli, believed to be in the region of 24m euros, which would be paid in six installments. This news comes even though Man City insisted that the player was going nowhere earlier today.