Transfer Balls: Arsenal Bid £35m For Benzema, Liverpool Beguiled By Benteke, Tottenham Tipped For Trippier

Alan Duffy

26th, May 2015

3 Comments

By Alan Duffy

Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…

Gunners Care About Karim

The Metro, those kings of SHOCK OMG! MASSIVE horse manure rumours, tells us that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema may be on his way to the Emirates. Arsenal are apparently ready to stump up £35million for the 27-year-old who has bagged 22 goals in 46 games for Madrid this season.

In order to fund the move, the Metro says that Arsene Wenger will sell Olivier Giroud but we know by now to take anything they say with a rather massive pinch of salt.

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Reds Bid For Benteke

While Brendan Rodgers’ future at Anfield remains in doubt, the club are still looking to rebuild after a horrible end to the season. Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke is reported to be a target for the Merseysiders, according to the Independent, with the Reds ready to stump up at least £20million for the Belgian hitman.

With Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli failing to make the requisite impact at Anfield, Daniel Sturridge continually niggled by injuries and Raheem Sterling set for an exit, Liverpool need to revamp their forward line, with Benteke a decent option. Although they’ll need more than just the Villa man if they are to improve of this season’s fifth-placed finish.

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Tottenham tipped For Tripper

Despite seeing his side relegated after just one disappointing season in the Premier League, Burnley’s Kieran Trippier enjoyed a fine campaign which has piqued the interest of Tottenham. According to the Mirror, the Lilywhites are ready to activate Trippier’s palty £3.5million buy-out clause and bring the attacking full-back to White Hart Lane.

Mauricio Pochettino wants Trippier to provide some competition for right-back Kyle Walker next season although newly-promoted Bournemouth are also said to be eyeing the 24-year-old.

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Morgan Mad For Gunners

Morgan Schneiderlin is no stranger to these pages, with the Southampton man continually linked with a move to Arsenal. Now the Telegraph tells us that the French midfielder has snubbed an offer from Tottenham in order to pave the way for a move to the Emirates.

While Francis Coquelin has excelled in the holding midfielder role for the Gunners, the 23-year-old can’t be expected to play every game of the season, while Schneiderlin would also provide some healthy competition and physical stature in the north Londoners’ engine-room.

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Otamendi Off To Old Trafford

The Mirror report that Manchester United have been quoted at 50million Euros by Valencia if they want to buy Argentinian centre-half Nicolas Otamendi. The 27-year-old international is wanted by Louis Van Gaal to reinforce the Red Devils’ patchy backline and in good news for United, the Guardian tells us that the player has even asked to leave Los Che.

With fellow-countrymen Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria already in situ at Old Trafford, Otamendi would find it easier to settle although the hefty price-tag may put off Van Gaal and co. Still, I reckon this one could well happen.

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The best/worst of the rest:

Everton youngster Luke Garbutt could be off to either Swansea or Bournemouth, Crystal Palace midfield enforcer Mile Jedinak may leave Selhurst Park this summer with West Brom on alert while Real Madrid have decided not to sign Javier Hernandez on a permanent deal.