Mou wants Higuain with him at Man United
The summer window will be opening before you know it, and rumours around the world are picking up steam. As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest gossip. See the latest deals here.
TOP STORY: Mou wants Higuain at Man Utd
Jose Mourinho has told friends and Paris Saint-Germain that he will be heading to Manchester United this summer with Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain his primary transfer target, according to the Sunday People.
Presumably PSG enquired about his availability with doubts over Laurent Blanc after Les Parisiens’ Champions League exit to Manchester City this week, but the Portuguese coach believes he is set for Old Trafford and wants the former Real Madrid striker to spearhead his new attack.
Higuain, who has scored 32 goals for the Neapolitans this season, could cost up to £70 million as Mourinho begins to plan his revolution at Old Trafford.
Arsenal close on Xhaka deal, reignite Benzema talks
Arsenal want to get a deal over the line for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Granit Xhaka and also pick up talks with Real Madrid over Karim Benzema, according to the Mail.
The Gunners and the Bundesliga outfit need to find a compromise for the Swiss international with the clubs £10 million apart in his valuation; Arsene Wenger hoped to sign the player for £20 million, while Die Fohlen are standing firm on their £30 million price tag.
Arsenal also hope to take advantage of Real Madrid’s reported interest in superstar strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski, by making another fresh enquiry for Benzema.
Man City seek negotiations with Real over Morata
Manchester City have targeted Juventus striker Alvaro Morata but will open talks with Real Madrid over the availability of the 23-year-old, according to the Star.
Real Madrid have a buy-back agreement with the Old Lady for £20 million and will seek to activate that before moving the Spanish international on for a fee closer to £30 million.
City will look to back off from a bidding war for Paul Pogba, paving the way for Los Merengues to sign the French star, and hope a compromise on the Morata fee can be found in return.
Daily Star Sunday back page:
Hat’ll do!#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/z1rTn463wi– Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) April 16, 2016
Gundogan signs five-year City deal?
Borussia Dortmund maestro Ilkay Gundogan has signed his Manchester City contract, according to German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.
The German international has penned a five-year deal and while the clubs are yet to finalise a fee for the 25-year-old, it is thought a deal can be struck at £24 million –considerably lower than The Sun’s report that Die Schwarzgelben will do business at £30 million.
Gundogan, a midfield playmaker, is seemingly the key piece to Pep Guardiola’s revolution and will be instrumental in knitting together City’s attacks under the Spaniard.
Tap-ins
– Manchester United will battle it out with Juventus for the signature of Ajax defender Kenny Tete, according to the Mirror.
The 20-year-old has turned down a new deal with the Dutch giants and could cost £5 million.
– Crystal Palace will rival Leicester, West Ham and Sunderland for Toulouse striker Martin Braithwaite, according to the Star.
The Dane has struck 11 times for Ligue 1 strugglers Toulouse and Alan Pardew sees him as the ideal man to bolster the Eagles’ strike force.
– Watford lead the race for Liverpool winger Jerome Sinclair and will part with £2 million in compensation for the 19-year-old, according to the Mirror.
The Hornets will face competition from Crystal Palace and West Brom for Sinclair, who sees his future away from Anfield.
– Everton have targeted Mainz’s goalkeeper Loris Karius with Tim Howard destined to join the Colorado Rapids at the end of the season, according to the Sunday People.
Karius, a former Manchester City product, could cost the Toffees up to £10 million as doubts remain over Joel Robles’ viability long term to take the gloves for Roberto Martinez’s side.
