No Arsenal offer for Bundesliga hotshot

Schalke claim they have received no offers for Arsenal target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

The Gunners were linked with a deadline day move for the Dutch striker, who scored 14 goals in 21 appearances last season.

However Schalke general manager, Horst Heldt, has revealed that the Bundesliga side have received no bids for Huntelaar and have no plans to sell him.

"We have not been receiving any transfer enquires from Arsenal or any other club for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar," Heldt told German magazine Kicker.

"Huntelaar is a fixture at our club. We are definitely able to imagine signing a new contract with him.

"There is no doubt he is a top quality player and a true role model. He is ambitious, determined and truly hungry for success."

Disaster for England! Sturridge ruled out of Switzerland match

England have been dealt a massive blow after it was revealed striker Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out of the opening Euro 2016 qualifier in Switzerland with a thigh injury.

The Liverpool forward, 25, pulled up in training on Friday with the problem and has now returned to his parent club for further assessment.

An FA Spokesman said: “Daniel Sturridge picked up an injury on his thigh in training.

"He has had a scan and will now return to Liverpool FC for treatment. He will play no part in the forthcoming Switzerland match.”

The news will come as a massive blow to Roy Hodgson especially as the Three Lions boss is already tasked with taking a vastly inexperienced squad to Switzerland.

Stalwarts Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have all retired while a lenghty injury list includes the likes of Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Jay Rodriguez and Andy Carroll.

Hodgson's defensive options are also limited with Kyle Walker, Glen Johnson, Luke Shaw, Jon Flanagan, Chris Smalling and Kieran Gibbs all unavailable, while West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster and uncapped Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback withdrew from the 22-man squad with injuries this week.

Exclusive - Arsenal legend claims signing Welbeck does NOT make them title contenders

Alan Smith has told talkSPORT Arsenal desperately needed to sign Danny Welbeck, but that it will not turn the Gunners into Premier League title challengers this season.

Arsene Wenger snapped up the England striker from Manchester United for £16million on deadline day as a direct replacement for Olivier Giroud, who is out until the New Year.

And while the north London outfit have bolstered their fragile frontline, Arsenal legend, Smith feels the lack of a classy defensive midfielder will be what costs his former side in their pursuit of glory.

Asked whether Welbeck's arrival makes Arsenal title contenders, the former striker told Drivetime: "I don't think so. In all fairness, I still think they're short behind Chelsea and Manchester City.

"I would have liked to of seen a holding midfielder come in. Whether Arsene Wenger was after one at any point, I don't know. Sami Khedira was mentioned along the way, but he's [Wenger] already got the likes of Mikel Arteta.

"I don't think that's a natural role for Arteta, I don't think it's his best role. I think Arsenal suffer at times when Arteta is playing in that role.

"I don't think he's got the legs to do it these days and that is an area where they're not going to be strong enough."

‘I never thought about quitting Tottenham’, insists Lamela

Tottenham winger Erik Lamela says he never considered leaving the club in the summer despite being heavily linked with a return to Italy.

The former Roma man had struggled to settle in north London and was rumoured to be the target of Serie A sides Inter Milan, Napoli, and Fiorentina.

But he looks revitalised under new manager Maurico Pochettino and has hit the ground running this season, with the 22-year-old on target for Argentina on Wednesday night.

And Lamela insists he is keen to star for Spurs in the Premier League.

"I never had any doubts about my future," he told Corriere dello Sport after the international friendly against Germany

"I read a lot of things in the newspapers and perhaps there were a few enquiries from clubs, but I had no direct contact or doubts about my future.

"Last season was complicated for me because of injury, but I feel good now.

"And I have to thank Tottenham for their help and patience - they have always shown faith in me.

"Now I am on the right path and I want to impose myself in the Premier League."

Chelsea star close to signing new deal

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is close to signing a new deal at the club after ousting Petr Cech as No 1.

The Belgium international still has two years remaining on the contract he signed when moving from Genk in July 2011, but is already on the verge of extending it to ward off any interest and reward his early form.

"It's not yet signed," Courtois said.

"I am here [in Belgium] with the national team so it is difficult, but when I am back at Chelsea I will probably sign the new contract."

The shot-stopper has started the first three Premier League games of the season but Cech has so far remained to fight for a place in the first XI.

Inter Milan failed in deadline day move for Liverpool striker

Inter Milan failed with a deadline day move for Liverpool forward Fabio Borini, according to sources in Italy.

Borini was expected to leave Anfield on Monday and came very close to a move to QPR, only for the player's wages to scupper the transfer.

However, according to TMW, QPR were not the only ones who failed in a late bid for the Italian attacker.

Inter Milan reportedly offered to take Borini on loan for the season, with a view to a permanent deal next summer.

But, Liverpool showed no interest in the proposal as they were focusing on QPR's bid of £10million for the 23-year-old.

I had to sell Torres, insists Chelsea boss Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed he had to sell Fernando Torres as the striker needed a change of scenery.

The Spaniard was loaned to AC Milan during the summer transfer window, ending what had been a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge.

Torres will spend two seasons with the Italian outfit, which will see out the remainder of his current contract with the Blues, having failed to live up to his then-British record £50million move from Liverpool in 2011.

Mourinho admitted he has the upmost respect for Torres and hopes he thrives with his new club.

"About Fernando I have to say, with the respect that I bring to all my former players, that as a professional and as a person there is no discussion," said Mourinho.

Man City striker completes Celtic loan switch

Manchester City striker John Guidetti has completed a late seasong-long loan switch to Celtic after being given special dispensation by FIFA.

The Scottish champions tried to sign the 22-year-old Swede just before the 11pm transfer deadline on Monday night but part of the paperwork arrived just after midnight.

However, the Bhoys have been permission from football's governing body to complete the deal after the Scottish football authorities succeeded in an appeal.

A FIFA spokesperson said: "After checking the documentation received and the information contained in the international transfer matching system managed by FIFA TMS, the Scottish Football Association was informed today that the envisaged loan deal may proceed."

Guidetti, who is on Sweden Under-21s duty, welcomed the news.

He wrote on his Twitter account: "Delighted to have finally joined @celticfc on loan ... Can't wait to get started and play in front those fans #TheBhoys"

Bundesliga transfer round-up: Draxler could move to Arsenal in January

talkSPORT German football expert Olly Knaack thinks Arsenal target Julian Draxler will leave the Bundesliga either in January or next summer.

The Gunners have long been linked with the Schalke attacking midfielder and have seen bids knocked back for the 20-year-old in previous transfer windows.

Draxler signed a new five-year deal with the Gelsenkirchen side in May and revealed he had turned down a move to north London because he wants to spend one more season in Germany.

The World Cup winner is understood to have a £38million buy-out clause in his contract and Knaack reckons a Premier League side will meet that figure soon.

"I’m quite sure he’s got an opt out clause for next summer," the German football expert told Drivetime.

"If he plays a decent Champions League campaign he will definitely be a player who Schalke will find it’s hard to keep. There will be a club from the Premier League who will put up the money and he will leave, maybe even in the winter."

Another Die Nationalmannschaft star, Marco Reus, is another who has been linked to the Premier League with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United all known admirers.

And Knaack added: "Dortmund will do everything to keep him. But he’s also got an opt out clause [believed to be £28m for next summer] and Bayern Munich are already talking about how difficult it will be for Dortmund to re-sign him.

"If Reus wants to leave, there are lots of clubs who would love to have him in their team. So it’s more or less Reus’ decision, Dortmund can’t do much about it if he decides to leave."

Italy star set to spurn Arsenal and Manchester United interest

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti is set to commit his long-term future to the club amid lingering interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

As reported by talkSPORT this week, both Premier League clubs are admirers of the 21-year-old midfielder, who joined the Ligue 1 outfit from Pescara in 2012.

And there was some uncertainty surrounding his future, with Verratti angling for a new deal which would take him in line with some of the club's highest earners.

Real Madrid attempted to take advantage of the situation with a reported late bid for the Italian in the closing stages of the transfer window.

But now, according to sources in Italy, Verratti is ready to pen a five-year deal in Paris which will also provide a healthy pay rise.