Football: That was the weekend that was: Rumours: Now Wenger looks towards Dublin

THE News of the World echoes the Sunday Mirror's "exclusive" in declaring that unsettled striker Dion Dublin will walk out on Coventry in order to take up Aston Villa's offer of a pounds 40,000-a-week contract - but the People says he may still end up elsewhere.

They report a late move by Arsenal to join the race for the 29-year-old England squad player after news that Dennis Bergkamp's back problems may restrict his availability. Dynamo Kiev's Andriy Shev-chenko and West Bromwich's Lee Hughes are next on Arsene Wenger's wanted list.

The People also suggests that Chelsea and Tottenham are monitoring Paul Merson's position at Villa in the wake of the England striker's apparent dispute with John Gregory.

The Mail on Sunday says Pierre van Hooijdonk could have left Nottingham Forest after VfB Stuttgart's pounds 4m bid. Real Betis are said to be interested too, while Wim Jonk has reportedly urged Sheffield Wednesday to sign his Dutch international team-mate.

Coventry could replace Dion Dublin with QPR's pounds 1m-rated Kevin Gallen, according to the Express, who report interest from Gordon Strachan. If he goes, manager Gerry Francis may move for Cam-bridge's Trevor Benjamin.

Crystal Palace striker Matt Jansen is a pounds 5m target for Southampton, reports the People. His departure could mean a bid for Teddy Sheringham.

Forest could suffer another setback with major shareholder Nigel Wray being courted by Watford, the Mail on Sunday reveals. Wray is close to closing a pounds 15m deal to buy Vicarage Road on behalf of Saracens but has no intention of evicting Watford FC. Were he to take a stake, however, he would have to relinquish his interest in Forest.

The People reckons Manchester United are chasing Bordeaux centre-forward Kaba Diawara, Tottenham and Leeds are checking up on Rosenborg full-back Andre Bergdolmo and Wolves are poised to move for Everton outcast Mickael Madar.