Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is lining up a £5 million bid for Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor.

The Sunday Mirror says Arsenal are now favourites to land the former England Under-21 skipper, despite strong interest from Premier League champions Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton.

The Arsenal manager has been told that if Cesc Fabregas moves to Barcelona this summer all the kitty can be used for team strengthening and he has made central defence his priority.

Taylor has been highly recommended to Wenger by Gunners legend Tony Adams, who had him on loan as a youngster at Wycombe.