Football Transfer Rumours - Dec-23-2012

Arsenal are weighing up a January move for Sunderland's Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, 24.

Chelsea will offer Tottenham £6m for Cameroon defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 28.

Arsene Wenger will try to sign Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez, 24, instead of Barcelona's David Villa because he is concerned about paying too much for a 31-year-old.

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 22, has revealed his Belgium colleague Eden Hazard, 22, dreams of quitting Chelsea for Real Madrid.

Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain flew to Brazil last week for talks to sign Santos' £32m-rated striker Neymar. He spent two days there to open talks to sign the 22-year-old Brazilian.

AC Milan are lining up a £20m bid to sign City striker Balotelli in next month's transfer window.

One player who could be arriving at the Etihad is Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott, 23. Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain plans to either make an offer in January, or wait until the England international's contract expires in the summer.

Attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, 27, has told friends he wants to re-join Manchester United from Real Madrid in the summer, but he believes the cost of the deal will prove too prohibitive. The Portugal international has scored 170 goals in 169 games since his £80m move to Spain in 2009