By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Van Gaal Wants Van Der Wiel
The MASSIVE SHOCK rumour factory that is the Metro reports that Manchester United are on the verge of signing PSG right-back Gregory van der Wiel. The Dutch international is eager for a new challenge and with the Red Devils missing out on Nathaniel Clyne and Dani Alves, he’s be a more than decent signing for his fellow countryman Louis van Gaal.
The 27-year-old is available for around £9million although Serie A giants Roma are also thought be interested in the defender.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Mandzukic The Man For Man Utd
Staying with Manchester United, the Mail tells us that the Red Devils have been offered Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic. The 29-year-old joined Atletico Madrid at the beginning of last season, after leaving Bayern Munich. Despite a good start to his career in La Liga, the goals dried up in the second half of the campaign and now, the 29-year-old is apparently set to be offloaded by the Rojiblancos.
United are eager to bolster their striking options after the departure of Radamel Falcao and the major question marks over Robin Van Persie at the club, so this one looks reasonably plausible.
Likelihood rating:/5
Gunners Go For Brahimi
Back to the Metro who tells us that Arsenal are looking to snap up Porto midfielder Yacine Brahimi. The fleet-footed wideman has been eyed by Arsene Wenger for some time, but now the Gunners are apparently ready to get their man for a hefty £40million fee.
The Algerian international impressed once again this season for Porto, both domestically and in the Champions League but one wonders if the north Londoners really need another wideman.
Likelihood rating:/5
Tottenham Tantalised By Teen Timo
Coming hot on the heels of Tottenham’s move for Monaco starlet Anthony Martial, the north Londoners are now after another teen hitman – Stuttgart’s Timo Werner. The 19-year-old attacker managed only three goals in 33 games for the Bundesliga side last season but, according to the Mirror, Mauricio Pochettino has seen enough potential in the youngster to launch a bid.
Werner is seen as a potential back-up for Harry Kane and, along with Martial, would signal the departure of old hacks such as Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor.
Likelihood rating:/5
Hammers Hover Over Obiang
The new man at West Ham, Slaven Bilic, is eager to strengthen the Hammers as soon as possible, with Sampdoria’s Pedro Obiang. The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder has been in fine form in Serie A and is available for a cut-price £4.4million. The Hammers have already hinted at the move, Tweeting that a ‘major new-signing’ is imminent.
After a lacklustre second-half of the season, West Ham are in dire need of some new blood, with box-to-box midfielder Obiang a player who can add some much-needed energy in the middle of the park. File this one under ‘a definite possibility’.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
New Derby boss Paul Clement wants to sign Tom Ince on a permanent deal from Hull, Everton continue to eye Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann while Christian Eriksen has ruled out leaving Tottenham.