Manchester United, Arsenal, Everton, QPR and Manchester City are the talk of the papers today.
All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
Manchester United have taken a shock interest in AC Milan midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng, according to reports. The former Tottenham, and Portsmouth player scored against Arsenal in this year’s Champions League, and has been a huge success at the San Siro. The 25-year-old scored nine in 27 this season, and the Mail report that United would be willing to increase his £30,000 per week salary. The paper add that United are continuing their double pursuit of Eden Hazard and Shinji Kagawa, offering £13 million to Dortmund for the Japanese international.
The Mirror report that Arsenal are preparing a £6.5 million bid for Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud. We’d be surprised if such a low offer was accepted, it was only a month ago that Montpellier’s president was demanding £50 million for the striker. However the paper state that a £12.8 million release clause has been uncovered in his contract, and Wenger is willing to add Marouane Chamakh into the deal. The problem with that is it assumes Chamakh is worth £6 million himself, and Arsenal fans may see this as a typical attempt to start the bidding low. Giroud scored 21 goals last season and is st to feature for France at Euro 2012.
The same paper reveal that Everton are looking to Denmark’s FC Copenhagen to sign a striker. The man in question is Senegalese forward Dame N’Doye, rated at £6 million. The 27-year-old striker has scored more than 80 goals since signing for the club in 2008, and could be the latest of his countrymen to take the Premier League by storm, following Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse. Everton may have to sell before buying though, with the Mirror repeating their story earlier this week that Leighton Baines could be Old Trafford bound.
Tottenham and QPR are both said to be willing to discuss the transfer of Jermaine Jenas. The midfielder was loaned to Aston Villa last season but missed the whole campaign with injury, and will look to rebuild his career away from the Lane. The Star report that QPR want him to replace Joey Barton in their midfield, who they will attempt to offload this summer. The 29-year-old could cost up to £4 million, which looks a better deal for Spurs than QPR given his recent injury.
Meanwhile in the realms of the real big spenders, Manchester City are linked with Barcelona right-back Dani Alves. The Mail say City are willing to offer £15 million plus Alexander Kolarov for the Brazilian, but Barcelona really want Pablo Zabaleta. The problem there is Zabaleta came out yesterday and re-affirmed his desire to stay, so that deal looks to be off. It is likely City will have some sort of reshuffle at full-back, and Kolarov will leave, but City would need to sign a left-back to replace him rather than right-back Alves, unless Zabaleta is asked to switch flanks.
image: © Oh Barcelona
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