TRANSFER GOSSIP

Rickie Lambert to be used as 'bait' for Christian Benteke, Gundogan and Navas for United, Ancelotti for Hammers?

Benfica's Nico Gaitan and Eduardo Salvio are en-route to Chelsea and Liverpool, United are close to a £30m deal for Nicolas Otamendi, and Arsenal want £60m-rated Lyon duo...

LAMBERT FOR BENTEKE?
Using the word 'bait' in the same sentence as 'Rickie Lambert' conjures up images of the big man in stockings and suspenders, but a shudder and a shake of the head later, we concentrate on the Daily Mirror's rather obvious claim: That Liverpool could use Villa's interest in Lambert to get Christian Benteke.

The Mirror also repeat the old lines about Danny Ings and James Milner joining Liverpool on free transfers this summer, but there is no mention of Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, who was strongly linked with a Liverpool move on Sunday.


GUNDOGAN AND NAVAS FOR UNITED?
'Manchester United have agreed terms on a move to bring Ilkay Gundogan to the club and have identified Keylor Navas as a potential replacement for David De Gea,' is the headline news on Goal.com, who say that 'Van Gaal has requested reinforcements in at least five positions'.

Goal's Duncan Castles throws a few other names into the mix - Paul Pogba, Gareth Bale, Danilo, Nathaniel Clyne, Dani Alves - but there's a lack of centre-halves on that list. Gundogan to force Michael Carrick back into defence? It's an idea...


ANCELOTTI FOR WEST HAM?
We would bloody love to see Sam Allardyce's face if he was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, who is described as an 'ambitious surprise candidate' for the West Ham job by the Daily Telegraph. That is something of an understatement.

West Ham did expect to announce Rafa Benitez, but he is instead bound for Real Madrid. That leaves them with the likes of 'Real Sociedad coach David Moyes, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, former player Slaven Bilic, who is leaving Turkish club Besiktas, former Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup whose coaching contract in Qatar is also coming to an end and Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa'.


AND THE REST
Watford are considering replacing manager Slavisa Jokanovic despite him leading the club into the Premier League. Talks over a new contract have reached an impasse...Swansea City's Garry Monk will not be taking the vacant West Ham United manager's job as he's set to sign a new long-term contract...Brentford are set to name Marinus Dijkhuizen as their new head coach...Everton are eyeing a summer move for Wolves winger Bakary Sako. Roberto Martinez is also monitoring Brentford winger Moses Odubajo...Nigel Pearson is hoping the standing ovation Leicester fans gave Esteban Cambiasso will persuade the Argentinian to put pen to paper on a new contract.
Promoted stories

Yaya Toure's agent has performed a U-turn and insists his client will remain at Manchester City this summer.

Last Updated: 25/05/15 at 17:11 Post Comment

• 
  

Yaya Toure has had a change of heart

Dmitri Seluk recently claimed Toure was "90 per cent certain" to leave City at the end of the season, but he has now changed his tune.
Speaking to Sky Sports News on Monday, Seluk said Toure, who had been linked with a move to Inter, would remain at the Etihad Stadium after the club told him that he was "too important to let go."
Toure's 20-goal tally helped City win the Barclays Premier League two years ago, but last season he struggled, scoring half that number.
It seemed certain the Ivory Coast international would leave City when Seluk made his initial declaration a month ago, but it now appears the player will stay and see out the final two years of his contract.
Toure's representative made the headlines a year ago when he said his client was seeking to leave City because the club had failed to honour his 31st birthday sufficiently.
"There is a big possibility Yaya will leave this summer," Seluk said in May 2014.
"He is very upset. What happened at his birthday means the club don't care about him. It was proof."
City boss Manuel Pellegrini has repeatedly stated his desire to hang on to his star midfielder, who moved to the Etihad Stadium from Barcelona in 2010.
The 32-year-old is currently with the City squad in north America on a post-season tour.
Pellegrini's side will take on Toronto FC at BMO Field on May 27, before facing Houston Dynamo 24 hours later.
The final leg of the tour sees City travel to New York on May 30 to attend their sister club New York City FC's game against Houston Dynamo in MLS.

Alves to decide after CL final

Dani Alves says he will make a decision over his future at Barcelona after their Champions League final with Juventus in Berlin on June 6.

Dani Alves: Linked with Manchester Unite

Alves is out of contract at the end of next month and has not yet agreed a new deal at the Camp Nou.
A number of European clubs, including Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, are reportedly lining up free transfer for him.
However, when asked to clarify his future, the 32-year-old insisted he still has to make up his mind.
“All I am thinking about is enjoying the two finals to come,” Alves said.
“I don't want to think about the future - it will distract me. I'll make my decision after the Champions League final.
“I've spoken to the president and told him about the conditions which I need to keep me at the club.
“Whether I stay here or leave, this club will always be in my heart; I've spent the most memorable years here.”
 

Extravagant: Radamel Falcao has been an expensive mistake for Manchester United

Manchester United have announced they will not be signing Radamel Falcao on a permanent basis, and it's not difficult to see why.
The Colombian forward joined the club on loan from Monaco on transfer deadline day in September, much to the delight of the club's fans.
United negotiated a £6million loan fee with the Ligue 1 club and took on his £250,000-a-week wages.
For that kind of money, you'd expect some pretty impressive performances.
Unfortunately, they never materialised.