By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Citizens Miss Out On Pogba And De Bruyne
Manchester City look set to miss out on both Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne, according to the Mirror. The Citizens are desperate to revamp their ageing side, with the Juventus midfielder and the Wolfsburg playmaker top of their shopping list. However, Barcelona are apparently in the driving seat for Pogba and De Bruyne ready to sing a new deal with the Die Wölfe.
City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is ready to splash the cash this summer after a disappointing 2014/15 but may have to look elsewhere to bolster Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Benteke Snubs Spurs, Eager For Liverpool Move
The Evening Standard reports that Christian Benteke is set to snub Tottenham, with the Belgian hitman’s heart set on a move to Liverpool. The striker is apparently still upset over Spurs’ behaviour in 2013, when he handed in a transfer request at Aston Villa, only for the Lilywhites to then pull out of any potential.
Villa wants around £32million for their star striker, which leaves Brendan Rodgers and co. in the driving seat, if they really want him, that is.
Likelihood rating:/5
Blues Up Begovic Bid To £8million
Eager to replace Petr Cech as soon as possible, Chelsea have made an improved bid for Sotke City ‘keeper Asmir Begovic, according to ESPN. The Blues had initially offered £6million for the 27-year-old Bosnian only for the Potters to reject the bid. However, the improved offer could see the highly-rated glovesman move to Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa are also reported to be in the hunt for the former Portsmouth man, although Chelsea remain in the driving seat. No doubt, Begovic will be paid handsomely by the west Londoners, but surely a ‘keeper of his quality and at his age would want to be playing week-in, week-out, rather than simply provide back up for Thibaut Courtois?
Likelihood rating:/5
Potters Pick Up Agyemang-Badu
Staying with Stoke, the Star reports that Potters’ boss Mark Hughes is eyeing a move for Udinese’s Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. The combative Ghanaian midfielder has impressed in his six years in Serie A and his wanted by Hughes as a potential replacement for Steven N’Zonzi, who is looking to move away from the Britannia Stadium.
A deal could cost Stoke as little as £4.4million, which would be fine business for the 24-year-old all-action star.
Likelihood rating:/5
Eagles Swoop For Cabaye
The Guardian tells us that Yohan Cabaye could be set for a return to the Premier League, with Crystal Palace in talks with PSG over a move for the midfielder. The 29-year-old French international has struggled to hold down a regular starting place amidst the Paris clubs’s plethora of superstars, and is open to a move back to England.
Alan Pardew and co. are willing to stump up £10million for the player although Tottenham and Southampton are also apparently hovering.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
West Brom are closing in on QPR wideboy Matty Phillips, Wolfsburg have slapped a whopping £30million pricetag on Newcastle United target Bas Dost while Aston Villa want to sign Leciester midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.