By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Man Utd Ogle Oblak
Manchester United are heading back to Spain to find a replacement for David De Gea, according to the Star. Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak is the goalkeeper in question, with the Red Devils considering a £32million bid for the Slovenian international.
The 22-year-old moved to the Vicente Calderon last summer as a replacement for the Chelsea-bound Thibaout Courtois but struggled to nail down a regular starting berth. However, Oblak impressed for the Rojiblancos in the Champions League, with his performances catching the eye of a number of Europe’s top clubs. Seems relatively plausible.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Hammers Tempted By Townsend
The Mirror reports that West Ham are eager to secure the speedy services of Andros Townsend. The Tottenham wingman has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth under Mauricio Pochettino and new Hammers’ boss wants the England man to inject some pace into his side.
However, apparently the east Londoners are worried that there is bad blood between the two London clubs, after Spurs head honcho Daniel Levy vetoed Emmanuel Adebayor’s proposed January move to Upton Park. If a deal was to happen, the Lilywhites would expect to receive a princely sum of £15million for their man.
Likelihood rating:/5
PSG Muscle In On Man City Target De Bruyne
Man City have competition for the signature of Kevin De Bruyne, the Mail tells us. While the Citizens are apparently readying a £50million move for the baby-faced playmaker, French petro-giants PSG have thrown their hat into the ring.
According the reports, the Ligue 1 champs have already met with De Bruyne’s representatives and are ready to match City’s evaluation of the 24-year-old Belgian. Of, course the former Chelsea may still sign a new contract with Wolfsburg which would make fools of us all!
Likelihood rating:/5
Citizens To Finally Land Sterling
The Star keep faith with the Sterling to Man City story, claiming that that Liverpool attacker will indeed join the Citizens for £50million this summer. The Mancunian giants are eager to wrap up the deal ASAP so the 20-year-old can join up with his new team-mates on their pre-season tour of Australia.
Surely this deal will happen now?
Likelihood rating:/5
Middlesbrough Dead Set On Downing
Middlesbrough have joined Sunderland in the race for Stewart Downing’s signature, according to the Mail. The Black Cats have already had a £5million bid for the West Ham midfielder turned down by the Hammers and now Championship side Middlesbrough have made their interest in the former England man known. Indeed, ‘Boro are apparently ready to offer the 30-year-old a generous £55,000 per week deal as well as forking out £6million to West Ham for his services.
Downing enjoyed a particularly impressive first half of the 2014/15 campaign and surely he still has something worthwhile to offer either club?
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Toby Alderweireld looks set to finally join Tottenham, Rafael looks headed for the exit door at Manchester United while Everton want Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna.