By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Juventus Ogle Oscar
The Mirror tells us that Serie A champs Juventus have bid a cheeky £9million for Chelsea’s Oscar. The Italians are apparently expecting French midfield dynamo Paul Pogba to leave this summer, and want to reinforce their squad with the 23-year-old Brazilian.
Considering £9million is less than half the amount the Blues paid for Oscar in 2012, this looks dubious. Although apparently The Old Lady have also suggested a season-long loan deal for the playmaker with a view to a permanent deal next summer. So who knows!
Likelihood rating:
/5
Reds Reel In Kovacic
Italian outlet Calciomercato.com tells us that Liverpool are sniffing around Inter Milan player Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian midfielder has been a bright spark for Roberto Mancini’s side this season but with if the Reds stump up the asking fee of 30million Euros for the 21-year-old, the Milan giants might just okay the deal.
With Steven Gerrard out the door at Anfield, playmaker Kovacic would add some more guile to the Liverpool midfield and would link up well with Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson.
Likelihood rating:/5
Man Utd Bid For Benzema
The Metro return to the ‘Karim Benzema to Man Utd’ story, claiming that the Red Devils have now launched a formal bid of £35.6million for the French striker. The 27-year-old has been a regular fixture in the La Liga giants’ side since joining in 2009 and has netted a very impressive 133 goals in 281 games.
Louis Van Gaal has been given the green light to splash the cash once again this summer at Old Trafford, making a move for Benzema highly likely. This one does looks somewhat believable, even if it is coming from the Metro.
Likelihood rating:/5
Cuadrado The Juan For Inter
And finally, back to Chelsea and Inter Milan. This time it’s Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado who could be making the move to the San Siro, according to the Mirror. The former Fiorentina man has struggled to shine at Stamford Bridge since moving in January and is apparently keen on a return to Italy.
The 27-year-old cost the Blues a whopping £26.1million but could be available at a reduced price for the Italians. Although maybe Jose Mourinho will look for Inter hitman Mauro Icardi to be part of the deal?
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has no plans to sell Jack Wilshere, Liverpool will need to increase their bid if they are to sign Nathaniel Clyne while Sunderland will not offer Wes Brown a new contract this summer.