Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Manchester United In For Nicolas Otamendi
Manchester United are nearing the capture of Valencia’s 27-year-old centre-back Nicolas Otamendim, writes the Independent. But the Mirror says Manchester City will gazump their city neighbours in the hunt for the Argentine who joined Valencia last summer from Porto.
The Mirror offers not a single fact to support their story. But the Indy cites Valencia based TV station SillasGol, which says it’s seen legal and tax documentation that “proves their claim that Otamendi is on the verge of a move to the Premier League”. Mentions of Manchester United in that report: zero.
Although on twitter the station’s presenter, Nacho Cotino, says it’s United:
Likelihood rating:
/5
Man Utd and Chelsea Battle For Stones
ESPN says Manchester United will rival Chelsea for Everton’s 21-year-old England defender John Stones. United will offer cash plus Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans, 27.
Likelihood rating:/5
Tottenham Stick On Berahino
Tottenham remain keen on West Brom striker Saido Berahino but won’t meet the Baggies £25million price tag. The Daily Mail says Tottenham will only go as high as £18million for the 22-year-old. But the Lilywhites “believe Berahino is keen to join Tottenham this summer and expect a quick conclusion to the transfer if an agreement with West Brom can be reached”.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Liverpool’s Jose Enrique, 29, wants to “stay and fight” for his place at Anfield, says the Liverpool Echo.
Spurs are after Clinton N’Jie. The Daily Star says the 21-year-old Lyon striker will arrive in London for a medical “in the next few days”. A fee of £13million is mooted.
Roma are keen to carry on shopping oin the Premier LEague, expressing an interest in signing Liverpool’s 25-year-old France defender Mamadou Sakho, writes the Daily Express.
Pedro is leaving Barcelona. Marca says he’s off to play for Manchester City, who plan to beat Manchester United in the race for the 28-year-old Spanish international.
Over seven out of every 10 Newcastle fans who voted in an online poll want the club to re-sign 32-year-old midfielder Joey Barton on a free transfer, writes the Chronicle. But two other Premier League clubs and two French Ligue 1 clubs (unnamed) also want Joseph, reports Sky Sports.