Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Ham United are the talk of the papers today.
All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
Andre Villas-Boas is keen to make Alan Dzagoev his first signing for Tottenham, according to reports. They have a touch of veracity too, as the source is the CSKA Moscow playmaker’s dad. The father said there were offers from other European clubs on the table too, but added that the experience of fellow Russian Yuri Zhirkov at Chelsea could scupper the move, so concerned was he at the time he spent on the bench. Dzagoev would want assurances over first team football, but surely he would receive them, especially if Luka Modric departs.
The Rangers exodus is continuing, with Steven Naismith heavily linked with signing for Everton. The forward is to become a free agent, and is mulling over offers, which the Mirror report include Stoke, West Ham, and Blackburn. However the temptation to link up with fellow Scot David Moyes and former teammate Nikica Jelavic at Everton is so far proving most tempting, and he is expected to seal a move to the Premier League this week, following Rangers teammate Steven Whittaker who signed with Norwich.
The Premier League’s finest have been put on alert after in-demand Brazilian attacker Ganso rejected a contract offer at his club Santos. The 22-year-old is still tied down until 2015, but elected this week not to extend it further, and Manchester United and Chelsea are said to be monitoring the situation according to Sky Sports. Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested too, along with both Milan clubs, and he could be available for around £25 million.
A Rennes player is keen on a Premier League move, and it is not Yann M’Vila. The man in question is Kader Mangane, who is a target for West Ham. The Independent is reporting quotes from Mangane in which he describes the Hammers as a ‘wonderful club’, but stresses a deal is as yet far from complete. Mangane is a 29-year-old centre-back and Senegal international, who made just 12 starts last season.
Axel Witsel may sound like a rock band or musician, but he is in fact a talented Belgian midfielder who plays for Benfica. Talksport is reporting that the Portuguese side are ready to cash in on the talent, who only signed for the club last summer for £6.3 million. They want to sell him on for around £20 million, and the reports originate from Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested, and would see him as a cheaper and younger alternative, just, to compatriot Marouane Fellaini, who Everton are reluctant to sell. Real Madrid are also interested in the player who made 39 appearances last season.
image: © jikatu
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
