Arsenal, West Ham, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, QPR and Southampton are the talk of the papers today.
All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie‘s future is the source of constant speculation, and it is likely to grow now with the news that PSG are to enter the bidding. The French runners-up and big spenders are favourites to win Ligue One next season, but will a medal in the French League satisfy Van Persie’a ambition? Manager Carlo Ancelotti is keen to bring him to Paris, while Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is like a dog in a butcher’s shop – according to the Mirror – so desperate is he to land his man.
Tottenham outcast David Bentley is looking for a fresh start – again – next season, and the Mirror report that Fulham could just offer him an escape route. Bentley was on loan at West Ham last season before a knee injury ended his spell there, and Martin Jol is reported to have made an enquiry for the 27-year-old. Fulham want him either on loan or on a free, and for Spurs it might just be worth allowing him to leave for nothing simply to get him off their wage bill.
The Express is reporting that Liverpool are close to sealing a £20 million move for Gaston Ramirez.The Uruguayan midfielder has also been strongly linked with Manchester City, and at 21, is one of the most highly rated young talents in Europe. He currently plays for Bologna and scored eight goals in 25 games last season while also providing four assists. Whether the deal is as close as the Express suggest is anyone’s guess, but Liverpool’s interest is surely genuine.
The Sun state that West Ham are looking to boost their defensive options by signing William Gallas from Spurs. The French defender is 34 and would be available on a free transfer. Spurs are chasing centre-backs Jan Vertonghen and Jonas Olsson and too have Steven Caulker back from Swansea and it is unlikely that Gallas – who made just 15 starts last season – would feature regularly for Tottenham at all next year.
The Mirror report that there is a real transfer scramble for the signature of Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Alexander Buttner. The paper claim that Southampton lead the chase, with Fulham and QPR too both interested in the 23-year-old. The Dutch attacker scored three times in his last eight games last season and is rated at around just £2 million because his contract expires next summer.
image: © wonker
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