By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Reds Ready For Milner And Jovetic Double Swoop
Linked with a move Arsenal in recent weeks, Manchester City midfielder is now set to join Liverpool in the summer according to the Daily Star. The newspaper reports that Brendan Rodgers sees Milner, who is out of contract at the end of the season, as a perfect midfield partner for Jordan Henderson.
The Star also reports that the Reds will try to add £16m-rated striker Steven Jovetic to their shopping trolley at the Etihad, with the out-of-favour Montenegrin keen to kickstart his career away from Manchester. However, scratch that, the Mail expects Jovetic to end up at Inter Milan courtesy of a loan deal!
Likelihood rating:
/5
Gunners Chase Little Fekir
The Mirror reports that Arsene Wenger is keen to bring Lyon winger Nabil Fekir to the Emirates in the summer. The attacker has been one of the star’s of Lyon’s surprise Ligue 1 title-tilt with his form earning him a place in the French senior side.
At just 21-years-old, Fekir is one of the most exciting young players in France, but with an embarrassment of riches in wide attacking areas, the Gunners are more likely to strengthen the spine of their side in the summer. Added to the fact that only yesterday, Talksport quoted the player as saying he wanted to stay with Les Gones, this one looks unlikely to happen.
Likelihood rating:/5
Hugo High On Van Gaal’s List
Until David De Gea signs on the dotted line with Manchester United via a whooping new £200,000 a week deal, rumours will abound over the Spaniards’ future. With Real Madrid apparently still sniffing ’round the 24-year-old glovesman, the Mirror claims that United will go for Spurs’ ‘keeper Hugo Lloris if De Gea does ultimately leave for La Liga.
Lloris has been a star performer for Tottenham since his move from Lyon in 2012 and would be a more than adequate replacement for De Gea, with the Frenchman valued at around £22m.
Likelihood rating:/5
Eagles Plan Bamford Swoop
Alan Pardew’s stewardship of Crystal Palace has been one of the managerial success stories of the season but, according to the Daily Star, the Eagles’ boss is already planning to bolster his squad in the summer, with Middlesbrough hitman Patrick Bamford in his sights.
The Chelsea loanee has been a key man in Middlesbrough’s promotion-chasing campaign, netting 17 league goals this season. While the 21-year-old still harbours hopes of making it at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho may well listen to offers for the striker, with Palace keen to upgrade their strike-force.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho joked that Eden Hazard, apparently eyed by Real Madrid, would cost the Spaniards £200m (£100m per leg) plus one of Ronaldo, Bale or Rodriguez, Manchester City are preparing a £20m move for Hoffenheim’s Brazilian Roberto Firminio and Spurs have joined Liverpool in the race for Crystal Palace’s £20m-rated wideman Yannick Bolasie.