Arsenal linked with defensive trio - Wednesday Transfer Rumours

Sami Khedira's move to Arsenal seems to be more off than on

Arsenal have sold their club captain to Barcelona, now Arsene Wenger is eyeing up which player to bring in to replace his Belgian.

The Telegraph have claimed Arsenal are tracking Benedikt Howedes, Luiz Gustavo and William Carvalho.

The report states boss Arsene Wenger has drawn up a three-man shortlist of Schalke's Howedes, Wolfsburg's Gustavo and Sporting Lisbon's Carvalho as he seeks a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen.

Vermaelen has joined Spanish giants Barcelona, leaving just Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertascker as options at the heart of defence for Wenger, although summer recruit Calum Chambers can operate as a centre-half despite being primarily a right-back.

The Gunners boss is keen to land at least one new centre-half before the transfer window closes and he had been also linked with Olympiacos' Kostas Manolas but the Telegraph claims he is no longer interested in the Greek international and has instead set his sights on Howedes, Gustavo and Carvalho.

Arsenal are also keen to add to their midfield before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month and the Mirror have suggested they are planning an 8million move for Cheick Tiote of Newcastle, having grown frustrated in their bid to land Sami Khedira from Real Madrid.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal meanwhile, is also seeking defensive reinforcements and the Express claims they are leading the race for Dutch international Daley Blind.

Van Gaal knows Blind well having been in charge of the Netherlands for the World Cup in Brazil and it has been claimed the Old Trafford side will launch a 20million bid for the Ajax right-back.

Ajax are unlikely to stand in Blind's way and the 24-year-old has recently indicated he would be open to a move to United as he said it "would be very hard to turn down" an offer from Old Trafford or Barcelona, who have also been credited with an interest.

The same report claims United have launched a 16million bid for Sporting Lisbon left-back Marcos Rojo, who is "desperate" to force through a move to the Premier League giants.

Liverpool had also been tipped to move for Rojo but it would seem as if the 24-year-old Argentina international is destined for a move to Old Trafford.

Finally Stoke boss Mark Hughes has confirmed he is interested in Norwich winger Nathan Redmond.

He told the Sentinel: "There is an interest there. He is a good young player, a player that we like, but he is not our player.

"He is Norwich's player and they are well within their rights to retain the players that are under contract to them."

Redmond only moved to Carrow Road from Birmingham in a 2million deal last summer but he could be on the move again following the Canaries' relegation.

The Sentinel have claimed Stoke's opening offer of 5million has been knocked back by the Championship side, who are seeking a "6million plus" fee for the 20-year-old.