Sagna could join Chelsea or Spurs but Arsenal get Draxler boost... and which star may be swapped for Atletico hitman Costa?
- Bacary Sagna may leave Arsenal for another Premier League club
- Politics may help the Gunners sign Julian Draxler
- Chelsea face a swap for Thibaut Coutois to land Diego Costa
- Thomas Vermaelen could plug a defensive gap for David Moyes
There has been an intriguing fall-out from Inter Milan’s latest attempt to prise Bacary Sagna away from Arsenal, with suggestions in Italy that the experienced right-back may remain in the Barclays Premier League but not at The Emirates.
After tieing up the signing of Manchester United centre-back Nemanja Vidic on a two-year contract with an option for a further 12 months, Inter have turned their attention to recruiting a full-back, central midfielder and striker in an effort to spark an overdue revival in their fortunes.
Sagna is their first choice to fill the full-back position, and Sportsmail understands a delegation from the San Siro visited London in the last few days for negotiations about a summer move.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch some of the transfer targets in action

Gunning for it: Bacary Sagna, battling Eden Hazard, may move to one of Arsenal's Premier League rivals

Linking up: Inter have already snapped up Manchester United stalwart Nemanja Vidic for their new back-line
They left disappointed, and the talk in Milan is that Sagna will either sign a new deal with Arsenal or join another Premier League club, with Chelsea and Tottenham being mentioned.
Galatasaray have not
given up hope, but a source close to Inter said: ‘The impression that
came out of the talks was that Sagna and his wife are settled in London
and want to stay there.
He is hoping Arsenal come up with an acceptable offer, but there is interest from other Premier League clubs. We are hearing Chelsea and Tottenham.’ After securing Vidic’s signature, Inter have distanced themselves from claims they may move for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Hands up: The right-back could yet stay at the Emirates and sign a new deal
Politics could
play a part in Arsenal’s pursuit of Julian Draxler after his club
Schalke found themselves caught up in the escalating crisis over
Russia’s military movements in Crimea.
While
the rest of Europe condemns Russia’s involvement in eastern Ukraine and
calls for tough sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime, Schalke’s
top brass continue to enjoy a close relationship with the Russian
president.

Controversy: Julian Draxler's (left), challenged by Nacho Fernandez, move to Arsenal could be boosted
The Bundesliga club have been sponsored by Gazprom since January, 2007 and wear the Russian government-backed gas company’s name across the front of their shirts, much to the dismay of not only Greenpeace activists but leading German politicians.
Increasingly,
influential political figures in Germany are calling on Schalke to cut
their ties with Gazprom, so far to no avail.
Schalke
chairman Clemens Toennies admitted he has a direct line to Putin, and
is on friendly terms with the Russian leader, but was adamant he will do
all he can to resist pressure to end the partnership: ‘Are we still
friends? I am not a politician, but he shows his interest in our club by
always asking about our results whenever we speak. It is a good
relationship.’
However,
with little indication political tension is about to ease over Russia’s
activities in Ukraine, pressure is likely to mount on Schalke to seek
alternative means of funding.
It can only have a destabilising effect on the Bundesliga club and increase Arsenal’s prospects of convincing Draxler he would benefit from a fresh start, when they resume their efforts to sign him in the summer.

Postal service: The situation in Russia may have given Arsene Wenger greater hopes of signing Draxler
Fernando Torres
is not Chelsea’s only bargaining tool in their attempts to pep up their
attack next season with the summer acquisition of Atletico Madrid
striker Diego Costa.
A
return to his former club and spiritual home could be on the cards for
Torres, but Atletico are much more likely to be swayed into sanctioning
Costa’s departure for Stamford Bridge if Thibaut Courtois was included
in the deal.
And it
does appear ever more likely that Courtois would be happy to go along
with it. Now in his third season on loan at Atletico, he is so enamoured
with the lifestyle over there that he has been going out with a Madrid
girl for the past 12 months and has even bought a house in the Spanish
capital.

You blue-ty: Atletico Diego Costa is No 1 on Chelsea's strikers wanted list for the summer

Between the sticks: Atletico want to sign keeper Thibaut Courtois on a permanent deal
Chelsea have responded by offering him contract talks, but the outcome of those could hinge on his prospects of being installed as first choice ahead of Petr Cech.
Sportsmail
understands the Belgian keeper may ask for a guarantee that he will
start as number one next season before committing himself to a new
improved deal.
If that proves a stumbling block, he knows he can count on just such an understanding at Atletico, where his place has never been in doubt. ‘My future is unclear, and I do need to sit down with Jose Mourinho and discuss it,’ he admitted.

In action: Fernando Torres could be in line for a return to his former club in return for Costa
With
Nemanja Vidic bound for Inter Milan and Rio Ferdinand possibly heading
for retirement, Thomas Vermaelen could provide a short-term solution to
Manchester United manager David Moyes’ defensive requirements after
stalling over the offer of contract talks at Arsenal.
Moyes
is scouring the market for top-quality candidates who can serve
United’s defence for years to come but may consider Vermaelen’s wealth
of experience a useful addition to the ranks.

On the sidelines: Gunners defender Thomas Vermaelen could provide a short-term solution for David Moyes
The
Belgium defender, who can operate at centre-half or left-back, shares
the same agent as Robin Van Persie and is a close friend of the United
striker. Of even more interest to Moyes is the response Vermaelen gave
to news that Arsenal are ready to begin discussions with him about
renewing his agreement with them.
As he considered his lack of starting opportunities this season, due to the form of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, he said: ‘Now is not the time for talking about new contracts. We can speak after the season has finished. I did not expect to play as little as I have, but the two defenders in front of me have played well and maintained their fitness. I just have to accept that.’

Applause: Vermaelen could plug a gap in defence for Manchester United boss David Moyes
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tombo_44, Sydney, Australia, 6 days ago
Errr who passed down the memo to add in the political point? Stick to reporting on football - related rumors hey? Rather than stirring the social commentary with vague anecdotes.