Man Utd need Varane, Modric, Pogba – Scholes
The winter window might have shut, but the rumour mill rolls on. As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest rumours and gossip. See the latest deals here.
TOP STORY: Scholes tells United to chase trio
While talks engulfing Louis van Gaal’s future continue to swirl around Old Trafford, former Manchester United great Paul Scholes has urged his old club to sign Luka Modric, Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba to revive their ailing fortunes.
Speaking to United We Stand, Scholes outlined his wish list for next season, explaining why the trio will be good for United.
“I’d like Luka Modric. How old is he now? Might be a bit too old, but he’s a great player,” he said.
“I like Raphael Varane. I said realistic and I’m picking Real Madrid players?
“We probably need a centre-forward but there’s not too many of them about so I’m going to say I’d like us to bring Paul Pogba back.”
Scholes has been under scrutiny this week over allegations he’s been trying to unsettle Van Gaal in order to help Ryan Giggs get Man United’s top job.
One wonders if he’s now putting his hand up for a chief scout role if and when Giggs becomes manager?
Kroos-ing into London?
Meanwhile, over in North London, Arsenal have reportedly made an offer for Real Madrid’s German World Cup winner Toni Kroos.
According to AS, the 26-year-old has a number of offers on the table with the Gunners in pole position to land the midfielder should he leave the Bernabeu.
Manchester City are also in the mix, and with Pep Guardiola’s impending arrival, the German midfielder’s ability to orchestrate play in the middle of the park could come in handy in the Spaniard’s rebuild.
The former Bayern Munich man is contracted with Madrid till 2020, but a hefty chunk of transfer fees and the chance to link up with countryman Mesut Ozil could just sway his decision in favour of Arsenal.
Chelsea offer Zlatan £19.5m to be a Blue
Just days after Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced that he would not be staying at Paris Saint-Germain next season, sources out of France say that the 34-year-old has been offered a deal by Chelsea.
FootMercato reports that the Blues have attempted to lure the talismanic Sweden international with a two-year, £19.5 million contract.
Ibrahimovic, who has apparently already batted away interest from Major League Soccer and the Chinese Super League, could be the ideal welcome gift for Antonio Conte, who has been widely tipped to take charge of Chelsea this summer.
ESPN FC’s Iain Macintosh says that Zlatan and the Premier League would be a match made in heaven.
Tap-ins
– With Paris Saint-Germain keen on taking Manchester United’s goalkeeper David De Gea to Ligue 1 in the summer, the Red Devils are looking at possible options to replace the Spaniard should the move happen, according to the Mirror.
United’s reported top choice is Barcelona’s young German stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has seen limited game time since joining the La Liga giants from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014.
Ter Stegen has raised the alarm bells this week by saying: “I don’t want to be called Barca’s future goalkeeper.”
– Things for league-leaders Leicester seem to keep getting better and better. The Foxes have announced the signing of highly-rated youngster Faiq Jefri Bolkiah from Chelsea.
Faiq is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, and is touted as one of Southeast Asia’s top footballing prospects.
