Manchester City, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, West Brom, Manchester United, and Sunderland are the talk of the papers today.
All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
Manchester City are ready to make their move for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, according to today’s Mail. The prized striker will lead the line for Spain at Euro 2012, anc City are said to be keen on making their move before the tournament begins. Llorente is believed to have a £29 million buy-out clause in his contract, and City are said to see him as the perfect foil for Sergio Aguero. He scored twice against Manchester United in the Europa League, and 27 times in total this season, and Tottenham are also said to be interested, along with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Manchester United are ready to listen to offers for winger Nani if contract talks break down, report The Sun. The Mail go a step further and say the club are to tout him round prospective buyers to sound out potential bids. The winger missed a large portion of last season with injury, and the form of Antonio Valencia meant United did not miss him, and he was unable to influence the title showdown against City. He remains though one of the club’s most talented players, and to lose him would be a backward step irrespective of replacement. However he has under two years left on his current contract, and the papers report that the club would take a £30 million offer.
Fulham are reported to be on the verge of a shock swoop for Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes. He has scored an incredible 40 goals in League One, and is currently in the play-off final with his club, but the Mail state Fulham are attempting a cut-price £3.5 million deal. He was linked with both Tottenham and Newcastle in January, and other Premier League clubs including Norwich, Everton, and Aston Villa are also interested. With Fulham facing losing Clint Dempsey this summer, they will be keen to boost their strikeforce.
West Brom are ready to release calamity goalkeeper Marton Fulop, report the Daily Express. He gifted Arsenal three goals in the season’s final match – and his club were not impressed. He will be allowed to leave on a free transfer, although his reputation has taken such a hit, the chances of a Premier League club coming in for him are remote. We somehow doubt Tottenham will be making a bid.
Sunderland are preparing a £5 million bid for Tottenham midfielder Steven Pienaar, according the the media. Martin O’Neill is tipped to be one of the more active managers this transfer market, and signing Pienaar would be a major coup. The South African spent the second half of the season on loan at Everton who will also want to bid. With Luka Modric‘s future uncertain, Spurs may want to keep hold of Pienaar as insurance, but if a bidding war ensues they may be tempted into a sale.
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