Arsenal after French wizard? Monday’s transfer gossip column

Atletico Madrid have warned off interest from Chelsea and Manchester United for their star pair, Koke and Diego Costa. Sporting Director Jose Luis Caminero said: ”I trust that Diego Costa, who is matured and is intelligent, will make his decisions. Right now, Costa does not thinking about leaving… Koke is going to stay many years, he has an Atletico heart.” Koke and Costa have been directly involved in 32 of Atletico’s 47 La Liga goals this season. (talkSPORT)

Arsenal may try to sign Bayern Munich’s Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic to assist with their Premier League title charge. However, it is thought the reigning European champions will reject any offer that comes their way. Mandzukic is Bayern’s leading scorer in the Bundesliga this season with 10 goals. (The Guardian)

Arsenal are also ready to rekindle their interest in Lyon’s Clement Grenier. The Gunners were linked with a move for the Frenchman in the summer but the deal died down with Arsene Wenger eventually signing Mesut Ozil. Only Alexandre Lacazette (25) has created more chances than Grenier (24) for Lyon in Ligue 1 this season. (The Mirror)

Manchester United could be set for another move for Real Madrid’s out-of-favour left-back Fabio Coentrao. The Portuguese defender has barely featured this season and needs a move to earn a place in Portugal’s World Cup squad. Coentrao has played just four La Liga matches this season but has won 9 tackles. (The Mirror)

West Ham United are trying to sign Joleon Lescott on loan from Manchester City to bolster their defensive department. Injuries to key players have forced Sam Allardyce into reshaping his defence so more signings are needed. Lescott’s 60% win rate for duels this season is the best for any defender at Man City. (The Guardian)

David Moyes sent scouts to watch Ander Herrera play for Athletic Bilbao at the weekend. United almost signed the Spaniard in the summer but talks broke down late into the transfer window. Only Markel Susaeta (39) has completed more key passes for Bilbao than Herrera (21) this season. (The Daily Mail)

Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are apparently interested in bringing Salomon Kalou back to the Premier League. He has been in France with Lille since leaving Chelsea 18 months ago. Kalou scored 60 goals in the six years he was at Chelsea. (Metro)

Brendan Rodgers has dismissed reports linking Raheem Sterling with a loan move away from Anfield. Sterling has three goals in the Premier League this season; only Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez have more for the club. (TalkSPORT)

Liverpool are also still in talks with FC Basel over the proposed move for Mohamed Salah but both clubs are in disagreement over the fee to be paid. The Reds won’t go higher than £9 million whereas Basel want £12m. Salah has 17 goals in 27 caps for Egypt. (Liverpool ECHO)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is will raid his former club Manchester United for young winger, Wilfried Zaha. The England Under-21 regular has rarely featured this season under Moyes. In his two Premier League games, Zaha has won more tackles (4) than take ons (1)