There's also speculation about 24 year old Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov. He's at Bayer Leverkusen, and their director of sport Rudi Voller has said that Liverpool made an enquiry in the summer. Berbatov has taken over from Hristo Stoichkov as Bulgaria's main striker. He's contracted till 2009 but Leverkusen are said to have debts so maybe they could be tempted to cash in on him.

Another new striker to be linked is Stefan Kiessling. The 21 year old has been playing well for Nurnberg (3 goals in 8 this season) and for the German U21s (who topped England's group in the UEFA qualifiers that just finished). He's got 2 years left on his Nurnberg contract, but is said to be unkeen to sign the extension they're looking for. Kiessling's agent claims that Wenger has made enquiries, but says that he's advising the player against looking for a transfer. So this looks rather like they're angling for a big pay hike in that extension. Kiessling has been described as the Bundesliga's answer to Peter Crouch, from which I am assuming that he is very tall and doesn't score many goals.

And, of course, this round of tranfer nonsense wouldn't be complete if we weren't also being linked with a goalkeeper. The latest to be bestowed with this honour is Polish international Artur Boruc, who has said, " I have heard all the rumours about Arsenal but I will not say if it's true and I will not deny it either." He's on loan at Celtic till the end of the season, and apparently they've got first refusal on him if Legia Warsaw decide to sell. Fulham are said to be interested too.

Jens Lehmann is doing alright these days.

The player's agent has reportedly claimed that Arsenal are among a group of clubs interested in their 16 year old right winger Theo Walcott. Warwick Horton mentions Arsenal and Liverpool, while the website carrying the story throws in Man Utd and Chelsea too.

Finally, a blast from the past... WorldFootballers.com say that Arsenal and Tottenham have made enquiries about Alessandro del Piero. He's contracted till 2008, but Juventus are said to be unhappy with a drop in form from the classy Italian this year. He's one of the few players in the world that (at his best) could be thought of as a direct replacement for Dennis Bergkamp, and at 28 he's a bit younger than you might have thought (ahem, see below!). The problem with the story is that Juve are said to be interested in using del Piero to try to get a top striker from another club and that, naturally, means Henry.

Rupe adds...
Thanks to Alex for pointing that del Piero is actually soon to turn 32, not 28 as stated in the article linked to above. I thought it was bloody surprising and should have checked it myself, sorry all!

And, of course, it makes all the difference. At 28 it was conceivable, but I just can't see Wenger shelling out the necessary for a 32 year old rather than continuing the search for a young Dennis. Not impossible, mind, there was Davor Suker. Whereas, it makes the Tottenham part of the story more likely, has-beens aging superstars are much more their style.