Arsenal gaffer Arsene Wenger is set to ignite a sensational race to sign Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor, despite the St James' Park club's insistence that Taylor isn't going anywhere.

The 24-year-old Greenwich-born central defender has been at Newcastle his entire life, and has played in over 100 games for the Magpies. But, his current employers face an uphill task in keeping Taylor.

Chelsea are also said to be interested in Taylor, who can play at centre-back and at right-back, as well.