For many years it has been said that Arsenal need to sign a solid, commanding, no-nonsense, hard-as-nails, bite-your-legs-off centre-back to shore up their flaky core. But instead they’re going to sign David Luiz.

A man who would much prefer to spray a delicious diagonal pass than bite anyone’s legs off, it stands to reason that Arsene Wenger would one day move for Luiz – the most Arsenally defender of all time.

And that day has come. With the flamboyant Brazilian falling out of favour at Chelsea following a disagreement with manager Antonio Conte, the Express says Wenger is set to pounce with a £30m January bid.

The Gunners boss is reportedly excited about Luiz’s ability to play either as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, making the 30-year-old his No.1 transfer window target.

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However, the Sun – which claims Arsenal’s bid will be £25m – says Luiz is likely to “resist any move” to the Emirates and wants to weigh up his options first. After all, no one moves from Chelsea to Arsenal unless they really have to.

Three clubs chase £40m Zaha

Both the Gunners and the Blues have joined the ever-expanding posse of suitors for Wilfried Zaha. The Mirror says the London clubs will compete with Manchester City to sign the Crystal Palace winger for around £40m.

The Eagles have thus far been fortunate to keep hold of the 25-year-old – who is possibly feeling sheepish about abandoning the club for a second time having already done it once to join Manchester United – but their resolve is set to be severely tested in January.

Meanwhile, another player who could be set to leave Chelsea is Eden Hazard, who the Star says is in “advanced negotiations” with Real Madrid about a potential summer move. Hazard is reportedly keen to head to the Bernabeu after the World Cup. But first he wants to knock England out of Group G.

The Star adds that Real could lose talented youngster Marco Asensio if they sign Hazard, with Man City boss Pep Guardiola a “fan” of the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.

Man Utd will demand “at least £35m” for out-of-favour playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January, says the Mail. The Armenian has not exactly been a roaring success at Old Trafford since his £27m move from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, but United still think they can make a profit on him amid interest from Inter Milan.

Elsewhere, West Ham will target Liverpool striker Danny Ings and Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter in January, while selling Andre Ayew back to Swansea (Star), Luiz Suarez has told his ex-Liverpool team-mate Philippe Coutinho he would be “welcome” at Barcelona (Liverpool Echo) and former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel Obi has dismissed reports linking him with a return to England, insisting he is happy at Chinese side Tianjin Teda (Mail). He doesn’t want to spent another day in a country where people keep saying his names in the wrong order.

@darlingkevin