We begin today's gossip in an unusual place - the Liverpool Echo - with their claim that Adam Lallana may have to hand in a transfer request to force through a move to Anfield. They claim: 'A final "take it or leave it" offer of £25m was tabled for Lallana on Friday, with Liverpool eager to bring the 26-year-old to Merseyside. As yet, there has been no formal response to that bid from Southampton, who are in no rush to part with their prized asset.'
Southampton are thought to want closer to £30m for Lallana, largely because they owe 25% of any fee to Bournemouth. Liverpool are still said to be hopeful of completing a move before the World Cup, but could turn to Bayern Munich's Xherdan Shaqiri if their move is unscuccessful.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror claim that Alberto Moreno is likely to become Liverpool's new £16m left-back (when did left-backs become so expensive?) within the next few says after he was left out of Spain's World Cup squad.
COME BACK, MARIO
'Arsene Wenger is on red alert to make a move for Mario Balotelli,' say the Daily Mirror, who surely know we can't resist a 'red alert' at any time of the day or night. Arsene Wenger is described as a 'long time admirer' of the Italian, who has been told that he is surplus to requirements at AC Milan and would be available for around £20m. Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham have been linked elsewhere but there's a general consensus that the Gunners are the favourites.
The same report also claims that Arsenal are 'likely to take up a £10m clause to allow them to sign Loic Remy'. Whatever they do, we reckon they need to do something soon before the cynicism sets in.
FABREGAS FOR CITY?
This was in the Daily Star on Sunday but is repeated today in various other newspapers, with the Daily Mirror claiming that 'Manchester City have emerged as Arsenal's biggest rival for Cesc Fabregas', because of course they're likely to lose Yaya Toure this summer after nobody gave him the bumps.
There's some suggestion that Arsenal will turn down the chance to sign Fabregas for £30m - despite their first refusal - because he is too similar to Mesut Ozil, so they could leave the path clear for City, who would be keen to buy a player who counts as 'homegrown' because he was educated at Arsenal.
AND THE REST
Inter Milan want to take Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez on loan and are also interested in Chelsea frontman Fernando Torres...Hull City want to sort out defender Curtis Davies' contract extension to fend off interest from Premier League rivals Sunderland...Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United are interested in signing 22-year-old Feyenoord defender Stefan de Vrij...Brighton striker Leonardo Ulloa is wanted by Southampton to replace Liverpool-bound Rickie Lambert...Swansea have agreed a £6.5million fee for FC Twente striker Luc Castaignos...
...Jordon Mutch is set to stay in the Premier League with Sunderland after a £1.5million deal was agreed with relegated Cardiff...Swansea captain Ashley Williams is ready to leave the Liberty Stadium for newly promoted QPR in a £4m deal...Hull City are set to bid £3.5million for Tottenham's Michael Dawson and are still trying to seal a permanent deal for Jake Livermore...Stoke are interested in Sporting Lisbon forward Diego Capel...Ronald Koeman could be handed a £50m transfer fund if he takes over as Southampton manager.
No comments:
Post a Comment