By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Liverpool Double Dip For Man Utd Targets
The Mirror claim that Liverpool are trying to muscle in on Man Utd targets Nathaniel Clyne and Nico Gaitan. Reds’ boss Brendan Rodgers is desperate to rebuild after a dismal 2014/15 campaign, with Clyne seen as the ideal replacement for the ageing Glen Johnson. Argentine schemer Gaitan, who is valued at around £25million would add to the Merseysiders’ attacking threat, although this potential double swoop would stretch the club’s transfer kitty to the limit.
However, with Louis Van Gaal still eyeing both players, Rodgers and co. may well struggle to pull off either of these deals.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Man Utd Back Bacca
According the Metro, Manchester United are closing in on a £21.3million deal for Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca. The Colombian bagged a brace in the Spaniards’ Europa League final this week and is seen by Louis Van Gaal as the ideal man to revitalise the Red Devil’s attack, along with new-signing Memphis Depay.
Bagging 28 goals in 53 games for Sevilla this season, the 28-year-old Bacca is also wanted (apparently) by Roma and Milan. As with all Metro stories, take this one with a rather large pint of salt.
Likelihood rating:/5
Saints Want That Gueye
Southampton are eyeing a move for Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye, according to the Mirror. The £7million-rated combative midfielder has shone for Lille this season in Ligue 1, and with Morgan Schneiderlin looking set to move to Arsenal, the Saints are in need for some midfield reinforcements.
However, the Mail tell us that along with Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham are also after the 25-year-old. Still, Ronald Koeman does look in the driving seat here.
Likelihood rating:/5
Man Utd Back Bacca
According the Metro, Manchester United are closing in on a £21.3million deal for Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca. The Colombian bagged a brace in the Spaniards’ Europa League final this week and is seen by Louis Van Gaal as the ideal man to revitalise the Red Devil’s attack, along with new-signing Memphis Depay.
Bagging 28 goals in 53 games for Sevilla this season, the 28-year-old Bacca is also wanted (apparently) by Roma and Milan. As with all Metro stories, take this one with a rather large pint of salt.
Likelihood rating:/5
Gunners Jump On Jackson
Not for the first time, we see Jackson Martinez linked with a move to Arsenal, with the Express now claiming the deal is now close to completion. The Gunners are rumoured to be ready to trigger the Porto hitman’s £24.7million release clause as they look to strengthen their central attacking options.
The 28-year-old has banged in 32 goals in 41 games for Porto this season and would provide Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck with some top-quality competition. However, with Theo Walcott starting to blossom again in a central striking berth as well, this all looks a bit iffy to me.
Likelihood rating:/5
Chelsea Chase Italian Wunderkind
The Metro tells us that Chelsea are set to beat Manchester United to the signature of Milan teen Gianluigi Donnarumma. The 16-year-old goalkeeper is one of the most coveted youngsters in Europe, with the likes of PSG also rumoured to be sniffing around. However, it seems that Jose Mourinho is set to snap up the youngster who has been likened to Azzurri legend Gigu Buffon.
Donnarumma was promoted to first choice for the Milan reserves by manager Filippo Inzaghi last season but now the wunkerkind looks destined for west London.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Newcastle target Andre-Pierre Gignac is also being eyed by Montpellier, Everton want Fulham youngster Moussa Dembele and Man City are still hoping to hold on to James Milner.