Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Antonio Candreva, Adrien Rabiot, Micah Richards

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their reported pursuit of Lazio's Antonio Candreva, with the 27-year-old winger supposedly set to stay in Rome.

According to David Wright in the Express, Arsenal—along with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham—are interested in signing the Italy international in the January transfer window.

However, it seems Lazio are unwilling to let their star man go—he bagged 12 Serie A goals and six assists last season as the club finished ninth per WhoScored.com—and will offer him a new contract this week, per Wright's report:

"

Reports in Italy suggest Candreva is set to meet with president Claudio Lotito before the end of the week to talk over a new deal. The 27-year-old should see his wages rise from £900,000 a season to £1.6m, keeping him at the club until 2019. Lazio are also putting the club's captaincy on the table to stave off interest from the Premier League trio, who can all offer the Italy international European football in January.

"

Whether Lazio will be able to persuade Candreva to sign a new deal remains to be seen as Arsenal would, no doubt, be able to offer him a better deal with Champions League football.

He is very versatile and can play across the midfield while having the pace and technique to work well in the Gunners' system, but he looks likely to stay put in Rome.

Potentially a bigger concern for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is the battle he might face for reported defensive midfield target, PSG's Adrien Rabiot.

The 19-year-old Frenchman is exactly the type of player Arsenal need—a ball-winning, deep-lying midfielder—and has the youth and potential Wenger is so often drawn to.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

He looks set to leave the French champions in January as he has only one year left on his contract and, according to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is looking for a way out, per Football Italia (h/t Eurosport):

"

We talked about Rabiot with Roma and other clubs. But we did not come to any agreement. I love the kid - I think he’s a great player and I want him to stay. I have tried to get him to renew his contract, but without success. He wants to leave.

"

As Al-Khelafi confirms, Roma are also interested in Rabiot, and are reportedly leading the way to sign him in January with PSG eager to use him as a makeweight to signing Kevin Strootman, per Jamie Anderson in the Express.

Rabiot has been left out of PSG's Champions League squad for the group stages making him an attractive proposition for potential January suitors, per Ligue 1 journalist Jonathan Johnson:

It is no surprise that he is much sought-after—CNN's John Sinnott comparing him favourably with the legendary Pep Guardiola—but Arsenal will have to work hard to sign him up:

One player who could have ended up at Arsenal is Micah Richards who reportedly was turned down by Wenger in favour of Calum Chambers, per Warren Haughton on talkSPORT.

Richards—out of favour with former club Manchester City—eventually moved to Fiorentina but was apparently on Wenger's radar as he looked to replace Thomas Vermaelen.

However, Wenger unsurprisingly opted to sign the more youthful Chambers from Southampton, yet another indication of the French coach's dedication to developing younger players, a factor which will likely make him fight hard for Rabiot when January comes around.