Chelsea and Manchester City to battle for N’Zonzi as Arsenal target Reus and Pulisic - Wednesday's transfer news and gossip

In demand: Steven N'Zonzi
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Vaishali Bhardwaj28 December 2016

Chelsea and Arsenal dominate today's gossip columns as the winter transfer window edges closer to opening.

Both clubs have been linked with moves for players as they attempt to bolster their squads ahead of the second half of the season.

The January window will give those at the top of the table a chance to build a squad capable of maintaining a title challenge, while clubs flirting with the top-flight trap door will look for quality to steer them away from the drop zone.

Scroll down to see the best of Wednesday's transfer news and gossip...

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First up, and Italian publication Calciomercato have claimed that Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in signing Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi as both Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola look to strengthen their options in the middle of the park.

The website reports that N'Zonzi, formerly of Stoke, has a £25.5m release clause, which interested clubs including Juventus will have to meet to buy the 28-year-old.

With Juventus not keen on spending that much on N'Zonzi, Calciomercato say Chelsea and City could have a better chance of landing their man.

David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The Sun reports that new Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce is keeping a close eye on Kieran Gibbs' contract situation at Arsenal.

The paper claims that Palace were keen on signing Gibbs before Alan Pardew was sacked, and a new left back remains a priority for his successor Allardyce.

Gibbs - who has 18 months left on his current deal at Arsenal - started the 1-0 win over West Brom on Boxing Day but was forced off after taking a kick to the knee.

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Meanwhile, the Gunners are claimed to be interested in Borussia Dortmund pair Marco Reus and Christian Pulisic, according to The Sun.

The publication reports that Arsene Wenger is afraid he could lose star duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, and has set his sights on Reus and Pulisic although several other clubs will provide Arsenal with competition for the pair.

Liverpool are one of those clubs, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly keen on re-signing Reus after bringing him to Dortmund four years ago.

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Moving back to Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea, and France Football claim that the Blues have bid £21.3m for Atalanta's Franck Kessie.

The 20-year-old midfielder is said to have also attracted interest from Manchester United and Juventus after scoring six goals this season.

(Mike Egerton/PA )
Mike Egerton/PA

Finally, The Telegraph report that Leicester have scouted Chelsea target Michael Keane over the past year as Claudio Ranieri looks to move the champions away from the relegation zone.

The paper says that while Leicester have kept a close eye on the defender, the club may opt to go abroad for new players in January.

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