Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle United are the talk of the papers today.
All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
Manchester City have turned their attention from AC Milan defender Thiago Silva, towards Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao. The player has previously been linked with Manchester United and Barcelona, but today’s Mail report that City are ready to bid £25 million. Like Kompany when he first joined, Martinez is capable of playing midfield or defence, and City see his future as a central defender. A member of Spain’s World Cup winning squad, he will feature in the Spanish Cup Final for Bilbao this weekend, and City will have scouts in attendance.
The Mirror report that the transfer of Manchester United youngster Paul Pogba is nearing completion. A Juevntus director told the Italian press they have successfully lured him away, and the deal will be finalised when his contract expires in July. It will be a blow for United to lose the 19-year-old prospect, but they can take solace in the fact that at least he is not joining another Premier League side.
It certainly sounds like Porto striker Hulk is on his way to England, but the question is where? The striker’s agent says his client is on his way to England to negotiate with four separate clubs, of who one of which is certain to be Chelsea. Tottenham and Liverpool are also being linked, although reported interest from either Manchester club seems more tenuous, especially in the case of City after the striker had a row with club fans after their Europa League clash earlier this year. The 25-year-old is expected to be available at around £30 million.
The Mirror have re-awoken the old chestnut that Demba Ba is looking for a way out of Newcastle, this time reporting that he is refusing to negotiate a new deal. Newcastle have sensibly been trying to get him to sign a new contract with no release clause, but Ba seemingly wants to be the master of his own destiny. The paper do not link any clubs with an immediate swoop, but the news is certain to peak the interest of those monitoring him.
The agent of Lyon full-back Aly Cissokho is busy talking the player up for a move, citing interest from Manchester United and Newcastle United. He has also been linked with a switch to Roma, and he is the latest left-back to be linked with a move to Old Trafford. Newcastle are weighing up their options with Davide Santon possibly switching to the right to replace Danny Simpson who is stalling on a new deal. Manchester United are looking at Leighton Baines to replace Patrice Evra, and Cissokho would be a cheaper, younger alternative.
image: © *dirk
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