Four days in to the January transfer window and there’s plenty of rumors to sift through...
[ MORE: Guardiola wants PL move ]
First up come reports from multiple outlets that Manchester United are to make a $120 million offer for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale.
Bale, 26, is said to be upset that Real fired Rafael Benitez over the weekend and United want to pounce to bring the Welsh wizard back to the Premier League. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton star has been linked with a move to Old Trafford ever since he arrived in Spain and despite winning the UEFA Champions League with Real in his debut season in 2013-14, Bale hasn’t yet hit the heights many were expecting after Los Blancos spent a world record $132 million to sign him.
United are certainly capable of affording Bale, but does he want to leave the madness in Madrid behind even though he is certain to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s heir when the Portuguese superstar winds downs his career at the Santiago Bernabeu.
[ MORE: Monday’s rumor roundup | Saturday | Friday | Sunday ]
Another big-money move being mentioned is Southampton’s Sadio Mane heading to either Chelsea or Bayern Munich for $45 million, according to the Daily Mirror.
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Mane, 23, and Saints turned down an approach from the Red Devils back in the summer. The Senegal international was dropped last weekend by Saints manager Ronald Koeman after turning up late for a meeting and the reports states United, Chelsea and Bayern are all interested in signing him in January even though Saints have refused to sell him until the summer, if they do let him go. Mane’s pace and trickery out wide or through the center has seen him burst onto the scene over the past two seasons and it is believed his representatives will hold talks with Saints over a new contract in the coming days. If things don’t pan out, expect the big boys to come calling with plenty of cash.
Arsenal are said to be interested in making a shock bid for Watford’s Troy Deeney.
The Daily Star says that Deeney, 27, has risen up to the PL with Watford this season and has skippered the Hornets to a hugely impressive first half of the season and has six goals in his last 11 games. The report claims a bid of $30 million would test Watford’s nerve, but given the fact that Deeney only signed a new five-year deal at Vicarage Road in the summer, would he move to the Emirates and settle for a role on the bench? The target forward has worked so hard to get to the top and it would be a surprise to see him settle for a back up role rather than being Watford’s main man. Then again, money talks and Arsenal could certainly give the Birmingham-born forward a significant rise in his wages.
Manchester City are also on the lookout for new attacking talent -- because they need it, right? -- with the Sun newspaper reporting that they’ve enquired about German youngster Leroy Sane. The 19-year-old Schalke attacker is thought of very highly in the Bundesliga but City have been told they must pay at least $60 million for Sane.
Liverpool have also shown interest in Sane, while current Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has also been impressed. With Guardiola confirming on Tuesday that he wants to move to the Premier League, plus Man City said to be one of the front runners to give him a job, perhaps Guardiola will chase Sane in the summer?