Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
We are now just seven days away from the end of the transfer window, which means the time is ticking if players are to move onto pastures new this month. Will this means there will be panic buys on the horizon? I am now going to sift through all of today’s gossip.
As always – gossip in plain text, my views in bold
Arsenal have increased their offer for Borussia Dortmund and Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 28, from £48.3m to £50.9m. (Bild) Still not quite at the figure of £53m that Dortmund are holding out for, if you were an Arsenal fan you would be imploring the club just to pay the extra couple of million to get the deal over the line.
German football expert Raphael Honigstein believes Arsenal’s pursuit of Aubameyang rests on the German club being able to take Olivier Giroud on loan for the rest of the season. (BBC Radio 5 live) This was something that was mentioned yesterday, does the deal hinge on the French international.
The Gunners are keen on bringing in West Brom centre-half Jonny Evans. The 30-year-old Northern Ireland international is refusing to sign a new deal at the Hawthorns. (Mirror) It seems as if Manchester City are looking elsewhere with Laporte of Athletic Bilbao their number one choice. So could Arsenal get a free hit at signing the former Manchester United defender
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has turned his attention to signing Nice and Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri, 26. (S*n) Which is Nice.
Atletico Madrid and Argentina attacker Nicolas Gaitan, 29, will be offered £120,000 a week to join Swansea. (S*n) Remember when Gaitan was linked with the likes of Manchester United, somewhat of a drop off in potential new club there but a good capture for Swansea.
Manchester City are weighing up approaches for France centre-back Aymeric Laporte, 23, of Athletic Bilbao and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Fred, 24, as Pep Guardiola seeks to strengthen his squad before the end of the January transfer window. (Guardian) Further confirmation of the Laporte interest while also once again talking about City’s interest in Fred. You could argue that City don’t need strengthening but if they are going to go for a quadruple then a couple of extra names could well help.
England forward Raheem Sterling, 23, will become the latest Manchester City player to be handed a new long-term deal worth almost £275,000 a week. (Mirror) You would have to say on the basis of his performances this season he will deserve a new deal.
Real Madrid have reignited their interest in Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, with the 27-year-old Spaniard a previous target for Zinedine Zidane. The Spanish giants are also reportedly interested in Chelsea’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 25. (Marca) It looks like they will be targeting a new keeper in their overhaul this Summer, but can they get target 1A or 1B
West Ham striker Javier Hernandez has demanded a move away from the London Stadium. Boss David Moyes is likely to block an exit for the 29-year-old Mexican. (Express) It looks like injuries to others have scuppered those plans, Hernandez will be staying put until the end of the season.
The Hammers will hold further talks with Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario, with Inter wanting to sell the 25-year-old Portuguese international. (Mail) West Ham could be edging closer to signing a midfielder, something they have been targeting all month.
Newcastle are ready to break their transfer record to sign Algeria striker Islam Slimani, 29, from Leicester. (Mirror) Will Rafa Benitez finally be given so much needed funds?
Brighton are looking at Newcastle’s Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. The 23-year-old has not started a Premier League game this season. (Sky Sports) Or is it sell to buy?
But Newcastle have rejected a bid for Mitrovic from Brighton. (Chronicle) Well not if you are to believe this article?
West Brom are interested in Bournemouth and DR Congo striker Benik Afobe, 24. (Sky Sports) Bournemouth will want something in the region of £10m if they are to sell him
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo, 41, has revealed he is considering buying a second-tier team in England or Spain. (Folha de S. Paulo via Mail) Imagine Ronaldo buys Burton Albion?
Leeds United old boy Ross McCormack could be on his way back to Elland Road. The Yorkshire outfit are interested in bringing in Aston Villa’s Scottish striker, 31, as well as 30-year-old defender Tommy Elphick. (Yorkshire Post) Tearing it up in the A-League at the moment probably having the time of his life out there so I doubt he will be in a rush to return
