Transfer Gossip
Real Madrid to test City with record Aguero bid
Chelsea flop Cuadrado could be offered early exit by Inter or Roma while Arsenal keep watch on Monaco star Kondogbia
TRANSFER NEWS COLUMN: Juan Cuadrado is seeking clarity on
his future at Chelsea barely five months since joining the club. The
Colombian joined Chelsea for £26million from Fiorentina in January and
has made just four starts for the Premier League champions. Bemused by
the lack of action his agent Alessandro Lucci is to hold talks with
Chelsea over the coming days and will discuss a possible return to
Italy.
Liverpool eye up €15m Cheryshev, Arsenal make Benzema offer and land Cech, United make Bale & Varane offer...
United want Bale and Benzema (ha!), Chelsea in for Valencia and Alderweireld, Nani wanted by Inter, Dante to United for £5m...
Chelsea want Falcao AND Benteke, Koscielny to Madrid, De Gea is in Madrid (but why?), Gundogan United-bound.
'New Real Madrid boss hints at summer move for Arsenal and Chelsea target' is the SEO-tastic headline on the Daily Express website, but he clearly did nothing of the sort.
Here's what he did say: "Undoubtedly we know Raheem, it is not a secret, but he is not our player."
This comes on the back of a claim from AS that Real Madrid will offer £45m for Sterling. Which would be mental.
LIVERPOOL BACK FOR KOVACIC
First they bid £13m and now - according to Gazzetta dello Sport - Liverpool have been back with a new £15m offer for Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, apparently seen as 'the new Gerrard'. Of course.
The good news is that Inter Milan are apparently willing to do business at £18m - at this rate, Liverpool might just get there.
CECH TO CHOOSE ARSENAL
To Goal.com now, and their claim that Petr Cech has made his choice over which club he would like to join. 'Arsenal' is his answer.
It's a 'Goal understands' story, so there aren't any quotes, but they believe that Cech feels a move to Arsenal would guarantee him first-team football without having to move far from home.
Paris St Germain were the other rival for Cech's services, with Manchester United also reportedly keen if David de Gea does indeed join Real Madrid.
ARSENAL TARGET BENZEMA
The Daily Express just will not let up on their claim that every striker in Europe must be linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this summer.
They now claim that 'Arsenal set to make Karim Benzema a MASSIVE offer to fend off Man United and Liverpool,' which is at least top SEO work.
The story is as wishy-washy as could possibly be. The snippet the top claims 'reports in Spain', but they are neither named nor even alluded to.
The only evidence we get is this: 'But the France international's time in Spain may be up as Benitez plans a re-shuffle. Madrid have been linked with a move for Sergio Aguero, and may have to let one of their front three leave this summer.'
So if Aguero doesn't join Real, Benzema stays put? We know where our money is going.
GALATASARAY WANT RICHARDS
Micah Richards' interview in the Daily Mail on Tuesday seemed like a move to try and generate some interest across Europe, with the free agent remarking that Milan might be quite nice at this time of year.
Instead, it looks like Galatasaray might be the first club to make their move. According to Radyospor, they want a replacement for Sabri Sarioglu and see Richards as the answer.
Even after the trip to Fiorentina (which really wasn't very successful), we can't see Richards going for Galatasaray. Newcastle or Sunderland, however, we can see happening.
SPURS TO COMPLETE AYEW DEAL
'Tottenham could reportedly confirm the signing of Marseille forward Andre Ayew within the coming days,' is the line from the Metro.
They have taken their lead from 'Foot Mercato', which might be a new one to us. It;s basically a French version of the Metro football transfer section. That's not a compliment.
Google Translate brings us the following beauty from Foot Mercato: 'And, according to a source close to the player, it is Tottenham that would be returned to the charge insistently in recent hours so seduced by the free agent status of the player by his L1 statistics.'
Sounds like that roughly translates as 'DONE DEALIO'.
LIVERPOOL TARGET REAL STRIKER
After seemingly being knocked back by Christian Benteke and Alexandre Lacazette, Liverpool's aim to sign a new striker looks to have moved further afield.
Spanish paper AS reports that Brendan Rodgers is interested in Real Madrid striker Denis Cheryshev.
The Russian striker has been at the Bernabeu for years, but is yet to feature for Real Madrid's first team. Instead, he scored four times for Villarreal last season when on a season-long loan. That's not hugely encouraging, but in fairness he did play as a left winger for most of the season.
Cheryshev is now 24, and AS say he is available for a fee of around €15m.
MANCHESTER CITY WANT ISCOWhenever a rumour surfaces about Real Madrid getting rid of Isco, we can't help but think that they would be mad to sell the midfielder. We're sticking by that.
The Daily Mirror claim that Manchester City want to sign Isco for a fee of £32m, considering him the natural heir to David Silva. We wouldn't disagree with that sentiment.
Isco was bought two years ago for £23m, but has slightly struggled to nail down a first-team place at the Bernabeu. That's something which will surely change next season, because him and Luka Modric are a dreamy combination.
Small point: If City do end up buying Isco for a fee of over £30m, why on earth did they not move heaven and earth to sign him from Manuel Pellegrini's former club Malaga two years ago?
CHELSEA PLAN HIGUAIN MOVEThe future of Gonzalo Higuain certainly seems to be up in the air. Reports have linked the Napoli striker with a move to both Arsenal and Manchester United in the last few days. Now it's Chelsea's turn.
The Daily Star claim that Chelsea 'are ready' to pay £30m for the Argentinean striker. We guess that means they've remembered that annoying little keypad that enables them to do a bank transfer.
We can see that some of Napoli's star players will want to leave the club after missing out on the Champions League for the second season in a row. Higuain is probably their most valuable asset.
We did enjoy the following paragraph from the Star's story, which offers evidence that a move may not happen: 'The Portuguese worked with Higuain during his time in charge at Real Madrid before selling him to Napoli in 2013.'
That's a little harsh on Mourinho. By the time Higuain joined Napoli in July 2013, the Portuguese had already been back at Chelsea for nearly two months.
UNITED MAKE BALE AND VARANE OFFEROn Tuesday afternoon, the Daily Express website ran a story saying that Manchester United were interested in Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. They reported that they would use the discussions over David de Gea to sound out Real over the pair. Presumably Real would tell them to do one and not to call again?
By Wednesday morning, the Express website had changed its tune.
'It was thought that United would enquire about Bale and French striker Karim Benzema when Real made their move for De Gea,' they write. Yes, it was you who told us that yesterday.
'But reports in Spain suggest that United have asked about Bale and Varane instead,' they continue. 'Both players have also been linked with Chelsea in recent weeks and it seems that Louis van Gaal has tried to steal a march on Jose Mourinho with a £110m bid. According to Spanish papers Cuatro and El Mundo Deportivo, the offer was made but immediately rebuffed by Real.'
All together now: We don't believe those Spanish reports. Or you.
AND THE RESTTottenham want Marseille's £12million-rated midfielder Giannelli Imbula - and are ready to offer Benjamin Stambouli to the French club as part of a deal...Robin van Persie has admitted he is at a crossroads in his Manchester United career, claiming he wants to be at a club where he plays every week...Nacho Monreal will snub transfer interest from Athletic Bilbao to sign a new deal at Arsenal...Brendan Rodgers will be retained as Liverpool manager - but has been told at his end of season review that the Reds must improve next season...
...Manchester United will open talks with Tottenham over Hugo Lloris, with David de Gea set to leave for Real Madrid... Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has told Andreas Wiemann that he is free to leave the club and the 23-year-old may now sign for Derby... West Ham chiefs will meet with Europa League winning manager Unai Emery in a bid to persuade him to join them rather than Italian side Napoli.
The Blues have been heavily linked with the 24-year-old, who has a £47.1million release clause in his contract.
However, the Special One says Griezmann is not on his shopping list.
He told Marca: “Griezmann is a great striker but is not within our objectives to strengthen the squad for next season. We are not interested.”
Griezmann only arrived from Real Sociedad last summer, smashing 25 goals in 44 starts for his new club.
In pictures - Sydney 0-1 Chelsea
He said: “I’m good at Atletico. I just arrived and I’m not a player who moves after the first year.
“I still need to learn and know that I can do it here and get very far at Atletico. I hope I can.
“I do not know interest from other clubs is true or not because they are rumours. I am happy at Atletico.”
United want Bale and Benzema (ha!), Chelsea in for Valencia and Alderweireld, Nani wanted by Inter, Dante to United for £5m...
Last Updated: 02/06/15 at 16:04
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Chelsea want Falcao AND Benteke, Koscielny to Madrid, De Gea is in Madrid (but why?), Gundogan United-bound.
'Manchester United are reportedly set to have talks with Real Madrid where they will discuss the possible transfers of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema,' reads the headline in the Metro. We know you like these ones.
'The two clubs will hold negotiations over David de Gea's move to Madrid once Rafael Benitez is name boss of the Spanish giants - and this is where United chief Ed Woodward will raise Bale and Benzema, according to reports,' the piece begins. We're picturing Florentino Perez laughing whilst Woodward shouts the word 'Bale' repeatedly.
Those 'reports' come from the Daily Star. In fact, it's basically the same piece.
'The two clubs will hold talks over David De Gea's proposed move to the Bernabeu once Rafa Benitez is named Real boss,' the Star piece reads. 'United chief executive Ed Woodward is planning on sitting down to meet with Florentino Perez to negotiate a deal for the Spaniard. And according to the Express, it is then where he will ask about bringing two of Real's stars to Old Trafford.'
So it's to the Express.
'Real Madrid are set to announce Rafael Benitez as their new manager this week after sacking Carlo Ancelotti last month,' the Express say. 'And that should get the ball rolling with De Gea. United will then ramp up their interest in both Bale and Benzema.'
That all happened in the space of 29 minutes. We've got buls**t indigestion.
GIBBS AND WALCOTT FOR STERLING?
'No,' is the probable answer to that question, and that's largely because it is posed by the Metro. 'Liverpool 'demand Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs for Raheem Sterling transfer'' is their headline.
We would normally rule it as certain poppycock, but ESPN report that Liverpool would sanction a deal that involved Gibbs and Walcott arriving at Anfield. One can understand that, if they are resigned to Sterling leaving the club.
The two players would fill necessary gaps in Brendan Rodgers' squad, with both Walcott and Gibbs likely to be out of Arsene Wenger's starting XI next season.
It was assumed that Manchester City were leading the race for Sterling, but this at least adds some sort of twist.
FIRMINO READY FOR MOVE ABROAD
Roberto Firmino is the sort of player that makes this Gossiper get a little steamy under the collar. He's an absolute dreamboat, and we'd do very naughty things indeed to have him in the Premier League.
Luckily, we're mates with Firmino's agent Roger Wittman, who agrees we should get to see him in England.
"I don't rule out that he'll stay at Hoffenheim," said the 23-year-old's agent. "I also don't rule out that he'll stay in Bundesliga, But basically you have to expect a transfer abroad."
Disclaimer: We're not mates with Wittman. He told us to stop calling.
DANTE TO UNITED?
Now 31, it's clear that Dante might have peaked. The Bayern Munich defender has reportedly been made available for transfer by Pep Guardiola, with Manchester United among the rumoured interested parties.
As the Express says, Dante is effectively United's back-up plan should moves for Mats Hummels and Nicolas Otamendi not come off. One of those already looks dead in the water.
The Express also report (via Bild) that United would only have to offer £5m to land Dante. Sounds like a bargain to us, even if he is just a short-term option.
Still, y'know, buy Aymeric Laporte if you can.
NANI NOT WANTED AT UNITED
The Daily Express continue their continental assault by using a line from Tuttomercatoweb claiming that Nani is no longer wanted by Manchester United.
We have never been one for European flair and elan, but we're pretty sure Tuttomercatoweb doesn't equate to 'reports in Spain'. Pizza not paella, guys.
Having seen Memphis Depay arrive at Old Trafford to add further competition for places, the Express report that Inter Milan are interested in bringing the Portuguese to Italy. He spent last season on loan at Sporting Lisbon.
ARSENAL STRIKER SET TO LEAVE?
We'd almost entirely forgotten the existence of Joel Campbell. The Costa Rican forward seems to do well on loan away from Arsenal, but has done nothing for Arsene Wenger.
The Sabah newspaper in Turkey claims that Fenerbahçe are set to make a €10 million bid for Campbell. It's an offer that Arsene Wenger would presumably accept.
It's worth pointing out that Fenerbache don't currently have a manager. Maybe that won't stop them.
CHELSEA TO PINCH ALDERWEIRELD?
According to reports from The Mirror, Atletico Madrid have contacted Chelsea regarding a potential summer bid for Toby Alderweireld.
The Belgium international enjoyed a fantastic season on loan with Southampton, who have a reported £7m option to buy the player.
But unsurprisingly Atletico believe Alderweireld to be worth more than that after proving himself in the Premier League and they now want to exonerate that right for £1.5m allowing them to sell to Chelsea for a much higher fee.
Good thinking hey? I bet Ronald Koeman doesn't think so and if Saints' first-buy option is wiped out, then there could be an almighty scramble for the 26-year-old.
MARSEILLE MOVE FOR STAMBOULI
Marseille have made an offer for Tottenham midfielder Benjamin Stambouli, according to L'Equipe.
It's a move that looks more than likely to materialise for the 24-year-old who has failed to settle at White Hart Lane after his move from Montpellier last summer.
Stambouli is believed to be keen on a return to France and a move to Marseille - his hometown club - may well fit the bill with Tottenham looking to recoup the £5m they paid for the player.
CHELSEA TO MOVE FOR VALENCIA?
Chelsea could make a move for West Ham United's Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia, according to the Brentwood Gazette.
After a post on the striker's Facebook page, the publication suggested "Chelsea were thought to be preparing a £25million bid for the player".
"I have heard of the Chelsea [interest], yes, but we are going to wait. You have to see what happens. If it is good for me and West Ham it is welcome," posted Valencia.
I'll bet it is Enner. Sounds like terrific work from the player's agent. No deal.
ALVES TO UNITED... AGAIN?
Straight to the Guardian, who claim that Manchester United again head the queue to sign Dani Alves from Barcelona.
To be honest, we had assumed that Paris St Germain coach Laurent Blanc had hit the nail on the head when he accused Alves of using interest from other clubs to engineer a new contract at the Camp Nou. The Guardian say that Laurence White is just bitter because Alves prefers United to PSG.
There is no doubt that United need a right-back, particularly with Nathaniel Clyne going a little quiet over his desire to join. Perhaps he's had a heads up from Luke Shaw on Louis van Gaal's methods.
If Alves was available United would be mad not to try, even if paying £120,000 a week to a 32-year-old seems a bit short-termist. He's still widely regarded as the best attacking right-back in the world, and Antonio Valencia isn't in second place on that list.
REAL TO OPEN STERLING TALKS
'Real Madrid will open talks over a £45million move for Raheem Sterling in the next fortnight,' reads the opening gambit on The Sun's website.
'Click the banner below now to read Antony Kastrinakis' incredible full story...' it continues. So we did.
The Sun claim that Real Madrid honcho Jose Angel Sanchez is meeting with Liverpool officials on June 14. As Kastrinakis himself says, that's also the date the two clubs face each other in a friendly, which does give him a get-out clause should this all come to nought.
After Brendan Rodgers has spent weeks saying Sterling goes nowhere, he'd surely be a little peeved if his bosses went behind his back and discussed a move at that price?
SCHWEINSTEIGER UNITED'S TOP TARGET
We think we've heard about ten different players labelled as Manchester United's 'top target' this summer, but today is the turn of Bastian Schweinsteiger.
In the Daily Star, Jeremy Cross tells us that Schweinsteiger' remains Manchester United's No.1 midfield target this summer', but that the club are prepared to go to Morgan Schneiderlin as a second option. Someone tell them they aren't limited to players whose surnames begin 'Sch'. Are they trying to replace Scholes a little too literally?
This is an exclusive, of course, but Cross dedicates just one line of the article to Schweinsteiger. There then follows 14 paragraphs about Schneiderlin and Southampton. We're going to stick our neck out and say one is more likely than the other. And that's an exclusive.
AND THE REST
Liverpool are close to finalising a deal for Manchester City midfielder James Milner... West Ham are set to step up their interest in Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa with their move for Europa League-winning Sevilla coach Unai Emery under threat... Burnley boss Sean Dyche is top of Sunderland's short-list to become their new manager... Leicester will step up their £8million pursuit of Shinji Okazaki after Mainz landed a replacement for the striker... Everton have opened talks with Tom Cleverley over a move to Goodison Park... Steve Bruce has slapped a £10million price tag on in-demand Hull defender James Chester... Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko is keen on a switch to Chelsea this summer and believes Jose Mourinho is keeping tabs on him.
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