We’re down to nine days before the opening of the January transfer window, and there are more teams adding ingredients to their shopping lists.
Could any team, even mighty Real Madrid, turn down $181 million for a single player? That’s allegedly the money being offered the Spanish giants from Manchester United. Madrid said they’d only sell if Bale wanted the move and -- seeing the Welsh star reportedly spurned a better offer from the Red Devils to go to Spain -- this is likely fool’s gold. Spanish expert Guillem Balagué says it’s total rubbish from every side except United’s willingness to spend the dough.
[ MORE: Monday’s transfer rumor roundup ]
Meanwhile, Sky Sports says United won’t be landing AS Roma’s Kevin Strootman, either.“Strootman won’t go to United”, the club’s head honcho told Roma Radio.
“We would be at the top of the standing should there would have beeen on the pitch the injured players Castan and Strootman.”
Sky also notes that Ricardo Rodriguez is having trouble agreeing on a new deal with Wolfsburg, which could open him up to a Manchester United or Chelsea move. The outlet also says Mohamed Salah could leave Stamford Bridge for a loan at Inter Milan.
Saido Berahino and West Bromwich Albion have looked fit for a split ever since his star -- and price tag -- rose dramatically early this season. Now both Liverpool and Tottenham are said to be looking for his signature, according to TalkSport. He does kinda have an Arsene Wenger signing written all over him, though, doesn’t he?
This isn’t a rumor, rather a fact: Southampton manager Ronald Koeman knows who he wants to help offset the January loss of Sadio Mane to the Africa Cup of Nations, and it’s Werder Bremen winger Eljero Elia. The 27-year-old Dutch speedster will help ease Jay Rodriguez back into the lineup and would begin his time at St. Mary’s as a loan deal. As for outgoing players, Koeman flatly said the team won’t sell in January.