By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Llorente Man Utd’s ‘Surprise’ Target
Manchester United are tracking striker Fernando Llorente, according to the Mirror. Red Devils’ boss Louis Van Gaal recently spoke of a surprise signing, with the Spanish hitman thought to be the very man.
The signings of Pablo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic by Juventus this summer means that the 30-year-old Llorente will struggle for game time with the Old Lady. While, with his 6’5″ frame, the former Athletic Bilbao star would provide United with a proper physical presence in attack.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Xabi Alonso Set For Liverpool Return
The Metro tells us that Xabi Alonso could be set for a SHOCK return to Liverpool. The Spanish midfielder has so far stalled on signing a new deal with Bayern Munich, which has put Brendan Rodgers on alert.
The 33-year-old remains a Kop idol and a move back to Merseyside would surely give the Reds a welcome boost ahead of the new season.
Likelihood rating:/5
Arsenal Gunning For ‘Mystery Striker’
‘Mystery strikers’ seem to be very on-trend at the moment, with first Man Utd and now Arsenal linked to an unknown hitman. The Express claims that the Gunners have a ‘contingency plan’ in place in case their attempt to sign Karim Benzema falls through.
The north Londoners have already been linked to Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and even Man City’s Edin Dzeko. So this ‘mystery striker’ could well be one of them.
Likelihood rating:/5
Ramos Reeled In By Red Devils
Back to free-spending Manchester United who, according to the Star, are near to finally sealing a deal for Sergio Ramos. The newspaper claims that the Real Madrid superstar has verbally agreed to join the Red Devils. The Spanish centre-half and avid collector of red cards has also apparently told Madrid president Florentino Perez of his plans to move to Old Trafford.
What a summer this is turning out to be for Ed Woodward and Man Utd!
Likelihood rating:/5
N’Jie Eyed By Spurs
The Star also tell us that Tottenham have bid £7million for Lyon’s Clinton N’Jie. The 21-year-old striker impressed in Ligue 1 last season, netting nine goals in 33 games. The attacker has also shone for his country Cameroon and his apparently being hailed as the new Samuel Eto’o in his homeland.
Able to play either out wide or up the middle, the youngster would add to Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking options ahead of the new season and potentially link well with Harry Kane.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Newcastle United are still hopeful of landing Florian Thauvin, Arsenal target Julian Draxler is heading to Juventus and Roma want Gunners’ goalie Wojciech Szczesny.