By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Blanc-ety Blanc Gets Out His Chequebook And Pen For Di Maria
The Express is the latest trusted publication to link Angel Di Maria with a summer move to PSG. According to the newspaper, PSG boss Laurent Blanc is keen to add the Argentine wideman to his star-studded ranks this summer for a fee of £45m.
However, Louis van Gaal will no doubt be expecting his megabucks signing to flourish in 15/16 after what has been a relatively decent bedding-in season for Di Maria. While this is deliciously glamorous rumour, expect the former Real Madrid man to be plying his trade in Manchester come the start of next season.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Hornets Swarm Over Sassuolo’s Vrsaljko
Ahead of their return to the Premier League next season, Watford have started preparing for the top-tier by planning a move for Sassuolo defender Sime Vrsaljko, according to the Mail, that is. The Croatian right-back, whose name would no doubt grace a feeble Radio-4 Panel Show ‘Scrabble’ joke, has impressed in his first season in Serie A and, with 10 international caps under his belt, he could now be set for a move to Hertfordshire in the summer.
Incidentally, as a teenage, Vrsaljko was closely eyes by both Arsenal and Manchester United, two clubs he could how be facing in the 15/16 campaign.
Likelihood rating:/5
Lamela Not The Fella For Spurs
The Mirror report that, rather unsurprisingly, Tottenham are looking to offload big-money flop Eric Lamela this summer. The Argentine moved from Roma for a whopping £30m, as the Lilywhites spent their Gareth Bale cash rather unwisely. After netting just two Premier League goals for the north Londoners this season, Lamela is living on borrowed time at White Hart Lane, with Mauricio Pochettino eager to get rid of the attacker.
The Spurs boss is also hoping to offload Roberto Soldado after another dismal campaign from the Spanish striker, although both his and Lamela’s big wages will mean Spurs will have a job on their hands to get really decent money for the pair.
Likelihood rating:/5
Swans Court Castaignos (Again)
Swansea manager Garry Monk has done a superb job at the Liberty stadium this season and, according to the Star, the youthful coach is hoping to build on his success with a move for FC Twente hitman Luc Castaignos. The 22-year-old Dutch attacker was set to move to the Swans last season, only for the Premier League side to pull out of a £6.2m deal at the last minute. However, now, Monk wants to complete the striker’s move to Wales.
The Star suggest that Anderlecht forward Aleksandar Mitrovic remains Monk’s top target this summer but that Castaignos, who has bagged 10 goals in 27 appearances in Holland this season still looks set for a move across the Channel. This one could well happen.
Likelihood rating:/5
Saints Lead Chase For Great Dane
With Nathaniel Clyne rumoured to be heading to Old Trafford this summer, the Mirror reports that Southampton are looking at Danish international Daniel Wass to replace the England right-back. The 25-year-old Wass has enjoyed a good season in Ligue 1 with Evian. Able to play firther up the flanks too, the fleet-footed player will have just a year left on his contract in the summer, meaning he’ll be available for a little as £1.5million.
Ronald Koeman and co. may have to move quickly for Wass, as Stoke and Newcastle are apparently also interested in the Dane. Oh and the Mirror did indeed make a dismally dated “Wass Up” joke too.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Manchester United youngster Andreas Pereira is set to snub PSG sign new deal art Old Trafford, Glen Johnson expects to leave Liverpool in the summer while Newcastle are eyeing Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez ahead of next season.