Gossip columns spent the better part of the summer speculating which center back would wind up at Barcelona only to see Blaugrana pass on all their options. With Carles Puyol still struggling to stay health, it make sense that the old copy is being recycled, with a potential $47 million move for David Luiz gracing the pages of Real Madrid-friendly Marca. The outlet also sees Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala, Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen, and Sociedad’s Inigo Martínez as targets.
Mangala, however, is going to be a much-soughtafter man when the Dragons decide to sell. The 22-year-old French monster (I meant that in the best way) is also being sought after by Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United, according to one report. Then again, every big club in England is after everybody, according to the U.K. outlets, right?
Meanwhile, over at AS, it’s Real Madrid that’s in the news. Fabio Coentrão, who nearly moved to Manchester United at the end of the summer window, will reportedly cost over $30 million to get out of the Bernábeu. Then again, that report is from the Daily Star, who have the lowest rumor accuracy of all England’s outlets. So let’s take the $30 million Coentrão with a grain of salt.
Over in Italy, D.C. United’s Erik Thorir, operating in his capacity as president of Inter Milan, was short on specifics when he claimed wanted to “strengthen” while admitting the club have “an excess of players for certain roles.” The Indonesian businessman also claimed Walter Mazzarri’s team was too old, claiming the ideal “average age of the team should be 26.” Sounds like a recipe for both buying and selling, making them no different from most teams in the January market.
All those rumors about Paul Pogba returning to Manchester United? Not going to happen, according to the player. Resentment about how the French international was treated by Alex Ferguson could keep the one-time Red Devil trainee from returning to Manchester. Next stop: the Santiago Bernabéu?
Back in England, if Manchester United really are looking to replace Patrice Evra, Leighton Baines is candidate number one. Given how much David Moyes like his former left back, the England international may be the entire candidate’s list, something that has Everton keen to get their star fullback inked to a new contract. Baines’ current deal runs through June 2016.
Newsflash: Cardiff City are in trouble. Subheadline: Their squad needs help, part of the reason why interest in Wilfried Zaha and Ravel Morrison makes sense. With one player currently with Manchester United, the other having moved to West Ham two years ago, both young England talents would represent upgrades to Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s club. Because of an escalator clause in his contract, West Ham may be forced to sell Morrison outright, something that could lead to a reunion with his former Red Devils coach.
One player that could potentially leave England is Lewis Holtby. Without a role with Spurs under Tim Sherwood, the Tottenham midfielder could make a return to the Bundesliga. Schalke are reportedly ready to take him back.
Now for the more spurious stuff: Arsenal want to pay big for Julian Draxler (but see him as a Van Persie-type?); Sunderland are trying to land Ignacio Scocco, as if they don’t have enough stickers; Liverpool in frame for Mohamed Salah, but potentially nothing else; Arsenal is looking into bringing Sebastian Giovinco over from Juventus; and Chelsea are ready to give Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett a chance to replace Petr Cech.
Okay - I made that last one up.