Transfer Balls: Man Utd Desperate For £100m Bale And Primed For Pepe, Chelsea Sniffing Around Rose

Alan Duffy

4th, August 2015

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

Man Utd Desperate For £100m Bale

The Sun reports that Manchester United are desperate to sign Gareth Bale, with the Red Devils already launching two £100million bids for the Real Madrid star this summer. His manager Rafa Benitez has publicly stated that the 26-year-old is going nowhere, but Louis van Gaal and co. are likely to try again before the transfer window closes.

The signing of Bale would be a rather massive cherry on top of United’s transfer cake this summer (apologies for the laboured metaphor). However, it does seem rather unlikely.

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Chelsea Sniffing Around Rose

Chelsea quest for a left-back continues, with Tottenham’s Danny Rose the latest report target for the Blues. The Mirror claim that Jose Mourinho is ready to cough up £15million for the 25-year-old, who impressed with the Lilywhites last season.

Augsburg’s Abdul Baba Rahman remains the main target for Chelsea, who need to replace the departed Felipe Luis. However, Rose’s Premier League experience could see the star make the move across London this summer.

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Man Utd Primed For Pepe

Fresh from failing to land Sergio Ramos, Manchester United are now turning their attention to the Real Madrid star’ defensive partner Pepe, according to the Evening Standard. The newspaper reports that Louis van Gaal wants to bring the tough-tackling Portuguese loon to Old Trafford to bolster his backline.

With United also apparently in for Gareth Bale and Keylor Navas as well, it’s all getting a bit silly. And rather unbelievable.

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Man Utd To Nab Navas

The Star claims that Manchester United are eyeing a move for Real Madrid ‘keeper Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican moved to the Bernabeu after an outstanding 2014 World Cup but has played just six times for the Spanish giants. With David De Gea still likely to move in the opposite direction, Navas’ move to Old Trafford would be easier to negotiate, but it all looks rather unlikely.

The report also links Arsenal with a move for the 28-year-old, which makes the whole thing seem very made-up.

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Saints Pray For Van Dijk

Southampton are after Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk, according to the Express. A £7million bid has been placed by the Saints for the 24-year-old Dutchman who has been one of the Bhoys’ standout performers since moving to Parkhead in 2013.

Ronald Koeman is eager to strengthen his Southampton squad ahead for the new season and the powerful Dutch U21 international would add another option in defence. This one does seems plausible.

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The best/worst of the rest:

Lazio want Mario Balotelli, Norwich City are keen on Dynamo Kiev star Dieumerci Mbokani while Emmanuel Adebayor is close to a loan deal with Aston Villa.