Transfer Balls: Man Utd Grab Gaitan, Arsenal Stump Up £5m For Schlupp, Tottenham In For Ings

Alan Duffy

27th, May 2015

By Alan Duffy

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

Gaitan The Guy For Man Utd

According to the Star (via Portuguese outlet A Bola), Man Utd are set to sign Argentine wideman Niclas Gaitan this week, with the deal all but completed. The Benfica schemer had been linked with a move to Chelsea, but now the 27-year-old looks set, apparently, for a move to Old Trafford with £21million the reported fee.

A Bola claim the deal will be announced once Benfica have played their Portuguese League cup game on Friday. A good mate of Angel Di Maria, Gaitan will provide some added creative guile to the Red Devils and maybe help Di Maria himself to push on.

Likelihood rating:piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400/5

Arsenal Slap £5m On Table For Schlupp

Bit of an odd one here, with the Express claiming Arsenal are eyeing a move for Leicester wideman Jeff Schlupp. The Ghana international was key to the Foxes’ survival in the top-tier this season, offering pace, power and indeed, some important goals, down the left-flank. Apparently, the 22-year-old was even offered a trial by Sir Alex Ferguson as recently as 2013, but he turned down the Red Devils to focus on Leicester.

A £5million bid from the Gunners is on the cards, according to the Express, but with Nacho Monreal in fine form, Kieran Gibbs a more than able back-up and a certain Alexis Sanchez not doing too badly on the left flank, this all sounds very unlikely.

Likelihood rating:piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400/5

Van Gaal Keen On Karim

Yesterday it was Arsenal who were apparently eyeing a move for Karim Benzema. However, according to the Guardian, Manchester United are also in the hunt for the French hitman. The Real Madrid looks set to leave the Bernabeu and could provide the firepower lacking from the Red Devils in the 14/15 campaign.

While Louis Van Gaal has already snapped up Memphis Depay, with Robin Van Persie headed for the Old Trafford exit door along with Radamel Falcao, another top-class striker is still needed and the 27-year-old Benzema would definitely fit the bill.

Likelihood rating:piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400/5

Ings Can Only Get Better For Spurs

Our old friends, the ‘Sky sources’ tells us that Tottenham are ready to stump up £12million for Burnley striker Danny Ings. The striker enjoyed a decent (if not massively impressive) season with the relegated side and while his team-mates now face a season back in the Championship, the 23-year-old looks set to stay in the top-tier.

Out of contract next month, Ings has also been a target for Liverpool, but with Sputs now ready to compensate the Clarets to the tune of £12million, a deal with the Lilywhites now looks likely. Although, if the north Londoners are serious about breaking into the top four, surely they need to aim a little higher than the likes of Ings?

Likelihood rating:piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400/5

Red Devils Deal With Dani

Back to Man Utd yet again, with the Mail reporting that Dani Alves could be on his way to Old Trafford this summer. The 32-year-old Barcelona star is leaving the Nou Camp/Camp Nou in the summer and available on a free. While Louis Van Gaal was set on signing Southampton full-back Nathaniel Clyne, that deal now looks unlikely, forcing the Dutchman to look elsewhere.

Alves may well be in the autumn of his career, but his wealth of experience at the very highest level and the lack of any transfer fee, the Brazilian would surely be a decent purchase for the Red Devils, even just for a couple of seasons.

Likelihood rating:piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400piesfavicon1_400x400/5

The best/worst of the rest:

Man Utd flop Falcao is pushing for a move to Chelsea, Scottish international Graham Dorrans is set to make his loan deal with Premier League new-boys Norwich City permanent and Man City claim Yaya Touré is going nowhere.