Ousmane Drame
Briand of Olympique Lyon challenges Drame of Sochaux during their French Ligue 1 match in Lyon. REUTERS

The pick of today's Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga football transfer rumours, news and gossip for 16 September, 2011. All the latest transfer rumours surrounding Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Roma, Barcelona and Real Madrid will be covered here.

The Daily Mirror reports that Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal this summer because he believes they have "no chance" of winning any trophies in the next few years.

"I needed a change in my life - that's the truth. We weren't winning any titles and it was very frustrating for me.

"I didn't feel like I was developing as I should be.

"I want to be in a club that is able to win the big titles year after year and I don't see that kind of future for Arsenal."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out making Yossi Benayoun's loan switch from Chelsea permanent.

"It is too early to say at the moment but we'll see," Wenger said cryptically.

Meanwhile, Wenger is "locked in battle" with Fiorentina over the highly-rated teenager. TalkSport reports that Arsenal sent scouts to Padova's last two home games to watch the 19-year-old in action.

Bayern Munich are planning a January raid for Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, with AC Milan and Juventus also interested in the 31-year-old.

Barcelona and Tottenham are keen on Internacional's Leandro Damiao, with the Brazilian side holding out for €50M.

"Damiao is proving to be worth the amount specified in his termination clause," said Internacional vice-president Luis Anapa.

"And with how he is playing I am sure there will be a club willing to pay the amount requested."

Finally, Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto'o has revealed he came close to signing for an English club before he joined Inter Milan in 2009.

"Before going to Italy, I was almost signed to another club [in England]," the Cameroonian told French paper L'Equipe.

"Everything was sorted but then after a match in Yaounde, I received a call from president [Massimo] Moratti and several minutes after one from Jose Mourinho [then Inter coach].

"I do not regret that decision. I was brave because I broke my word. I had to tell the English team and it as really tough, but they understood."