West Ham United defender Winston Reid has reportedly turned down a new contract with the Hammers and has told them he wants to join Arsenal, in January if possible. Reid, 26, is contracted to the Upton Park club until this summer but has been stalling on signing a new deal and now the New Zealand international, according to the Daily Mirror, has finally revealed his desire to move on from West Ham.
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The Hammers are already lining up a replacement for Reid as he was left out of their starting lineup for the win over Hull on Sunday as he tries to push through a move to the Gunners this month. That follows on from Arsene Wenger revealing he wants to sign a new center back in the current transfer window.
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Another central defender could be heading to the Premier League, as Barcelona’s out of favor center back Gerard Pique is once again being linked to his former club Manchester United. According to the Daily Express Pique, 27, could be available for $23 million as Louis van Gaal is eager to bolster his backline. Would Pique leave Barca to work with LVG? The duo linked up during the Dutchman’s two coaching stints at Barcelona in the past, so stranger things have happened. United have also been linked Valencia center back Nicolas Otamendi but have denied making a $39 million bid for the Argentine international.
Roberto Soldado could be heading out of Spurs as the Spanish striker is rumored to be joining Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen. Soldado, 29, joined Tottenham last summer for a whopping $40 million but has scored just seven goals in 40 PL appearances for Spurs and academy product Harry Kane has surpassed him as the club’s leading striker. The Daily Mirror’s Darren Lewis has the details.
Wolfsburg are said to be interested in signing Chelsea’s German international winger Andre Schurrle for $35 million. The 24-year-old scored in Chelsea’s 5-0 win over Swansea at the weekend but is reportedly becoming frustrated at a lack of starts for the Blues. Schurrle has been used mostly off the bench this season but Chelsea want at least $45 million for the World Cup winner. The Daily Mail reports that Wolfsburg have already made a bid to take the German back home to the Bundesliga.
