Press Watch: Viduka linked again with Manchester United

Juan Pablo Angel could become an unlikely partner for Thierry Henry at Arsenal

Mark Viduka for Manchester United is the weekend's hottest football gossip, with four papers each claiming an exclusive line on links between the Leeds striker and Old Trafford - although none beats the Sunday People's revelation of a shock January target for United's title rivals Arsenal.

Arsène Wenger apparently has his eye on Aston Villa's much-maligned front man Juan Pablo Angel after scouts recommended the Colombian as the man to take some of the burden of responsibility off Thierry Henry as Arsenal pursue a Premiership-Champions' League debut.

After a miserable couple of years in which he was close to quitting, John Gregory's controversial £9.5 million buy has found his form under David O'Leary and the People says Villa chairman Doug Ellis may be tempted to cash in. Having shelled out £12m in fees and wages for Angel, he is said to want £8 million back but the People reckons that is the sum Arsenal have earmarked.

Meanwhile, there is mixed intelligence on Viduka. The Sunday Express concurs with the People's report that a £3.5m United bid for the Australian front man has been turned down but the Mail on Sunday believes United's offer to be double that. The News of the World says that Sir Alex Ferguson is lining up a £5m offer for the new year.

On a lesser scale, the News of the World also reports a £1 million offer from United to Dallas Mustangs for their 16-year-old striker Kenny Cooper, who is said to have made a big impression during a six-month trial at Old Trafford. The American-born youngster has an English father. The same paper also claims that West Ham have admitted that Jermain Defoe, an oft-reported target for United, will be sold in the next month.

Middlesbrough's search for a striker has switched to John Hartson, according to the People, which reckons Steve McClaren is planning to offer Celtic £3m for the Wales target man.

The Sunday Mirror believes Chelsea are keen enough on Bayer Leverkusen's Brazilian defender Lucio to be prepared to offer Mikael Forssell as bait, although it is not a suggestion likely to go down well at Birmingham, who have been enjoying the benefits of having the Finnish striker on loan.

The People reckons Sunderland are plotting a £600,000 move for talented Burnley forward Robbie Blake in a bid to get their promotion challenge back into top gear but says Bradford City's hopes of landing former Scotland front man Duncan Ferguson on loan have been dashed, the Everton player having twice said no to Bryan Robson's advances.

Leicester and Manchester City are looking at HJK Helsinki's highly-rated 20-year-old midfielder Alexei Yeremenko, according to the News of the World, who link Charlton with another Finn, the £1 million-rated Ajax defender Petri Pasanen.

The News of the World believes that Millwall are likely to receive a bid from Southampton for the midfielder Tim Cahill and claims that Lou Macari has been lined up to replace Iain Dowie as Oldham manager. However,the People reckons John Sheridan is favourite for the Boundary Park job.

The Sunday Mirror says Charlton will turn to the Fulham manager Chris Coleman if Alan Curbishley is lured to Tottenham next summer, while Robbie Savage wants to sign a new contract with Birmingham City to end speculation over his future at the Midlands club, according to the Sunday Mirror.