By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Man Utd Seal Deal For Schneiderlin
The Independent (along with everyone else) tell us that it is Manchester United and not Arsenal, who have sealed a deal for Morgan Schneiderlin. The Southampton midfielder had been linked with a move to the Gunners but now it appears that Louis van Gaal has got his man.
Schneiderlin is seen by Van Gaal as the player to replace Michael Carrick in the heart of the Red Devils’ midfield and will cost £25million. As for Arsenal, one wonders if Petr Cech will now be their final deal of the summer.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Liverpool Hell-Bent On Benteke
Brendan Rodgers’ summer splurge looks set to continue with Liverpool readying a new bid for Christian Benteke, according to the Liverpool Echo. The Reds have already had a £22million offer rebuked by the Villans but are now willing to go to at least £10 million more.
Villa boss Tim Sherwood will obviously want to keep his Belgian hitman, but the club may not be able to turn down a big money bid. As for Liverpool, one wonders just how all their new acquisitions will get in the new season.
Likelihood rating:/5
Wenger Vies For Vidal
The Star report that Arsenal are turning their attention to Arturo Vidal, having apparently already lost out on Morgan Schneiderlin. The Juventus midfielder, recently in a spot of bother with the police recently, is currently starring in Chile’s Copa America campaign. However, the Gunners are apparently ready to stump up the rather reasonably sounding £21.3million for the 28-year-old.
An all-action box-to-box midfielder, one wonders if Arsenal really need Vidal, with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla already in situ at the Emirates. Surely a proper holding player to take the pressure off Francis Coquelin is a more pressing requirement?
Likelihood rating:/5
Van Gaal Goes For Gaitan
Back to Manchester United, who , according to the Metro, are set to seal a deal for Argentine wingman Nicolas Gaitan. The 27-year-old Benfica star has been one of the best players in the Portuguese Primeira Liga over the past few years but is now headed for England. Gaitan’s agent, Jose Irribaren said: “Everything is possible, there is a deal with Manchester United. The will of the player is that everything goes well. We are waiting for a response from the vice President, which is why I cannot say much more.” So there.
It would be lovely to see the gifted attacker in the Premier League, where he’d no doubt link up nicely with fellow countryman Angel Di Maria.
Likelihood rating:/5
Spurs Set For Alderweireld
According to the Telegraph, Tottenham are on the verge of snapping up Toby Alderweireld. The Atletico Madrid defender enjoyed a fine loan spell with Southampton last season but now it seems like the Lilywhites are in pole position to sign the Belgian international.
Chelsea are also sniffing around the 26-year-old, who is comfortable in a full-back, centre-half or indeed defensive midfield role. But Mauricio Pochettino may well get his man here.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Chelsea youngster Tomas Kalac could be on his way back to Middlesbrough, Tottenham midfielder Paulinho looks set to link up with Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande while Ravel Morrison is set to stay at Lazio next season.