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Football transfer rumours: Real Madrid and Barcelona vie for Robin van Persie? Football transfer rumours: Real Madrid and Barcelona vie for Robin van Persie?
(about 2 hours later)
While some at West Ham may be more upset than their Manchester United counterparts to learn that Chris Smalling might not be fit for the Premier League encounter between the two sides this weekend, the thigh injury he is reported to have suffered in training has prompted inevitable talk of an injury crisis among the defensive ranks at Old Trafford. With Phil Jones and Jonny Evans already crocked and Tyler Blackett suspended, United could be forced to improvise by playing Daley Blind alongside Marcos Rojo in the heart of their defence. While some at West Ham may be more upset than their Manchester United counterparts to learn Chris Smalling might not be fit for the Premier League encounter between the sides this weekend, the thigh injury he is reported to have suffered in training has prompted inevitable talk of an injury crisis among the defensive ranks at Old Trafford. With Phil Jones and Jonny Evans already crocked and Tyler Blackett suspended, United could be forced to improvise by playing Daley Blind alongside Marcos Rojo in the heart of their defence.
Cynics might argue that, on the evidence of performances to date this season, such a gamble wouldn’t be much more risky than playing Phil Jones, Jonny Evans or Tyler Blackett, but if nothing else, United’s shortage of personnel at the back has confirmed what most already suspected - that having lost Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic during the summer, the club failed to adequately replace them and are now desperate for reinforcements. It is a situation they intend to rectify in January by signing Argentinian bruiser Nicolás Otamendi. Having signed for the La Liga side from Porto last February for £9m, Otamendi is less than 12 months into a five-year contract and will not come cheap. A figure of £40m is already being bandied about. Cynics might argue that, on the evidence of performances this season, such a gamble wouldn’t be much more risky than playing Phil Jones, Jonny Evans or Tyler Blackett, but if nothing else, United’s shortage of personnel at the back has confirmed what most already suspected – that having lost Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic during the summer, the club failed to adequately replace them and are now desperate for reinforcements. It is a situation they intend to rectify in January by signing the Argentina bruiser Nicolás Otamendi. Having signed for Valencia from Porto last February for £9m, Otamendi is less than 12 months into a five-year contract and will not come cheap. A figure of £40m is being bandied about.
Talk linking elegant Barcelona central defender Gerard Piqué with a return to Manchester United has been rubbished by “informed sources” who say he won’t be leaving Spain because Shakira won’t let him. It seems that trips to the Arndale Centre and Clippers Brasserie weren’t exactly what the Colombian popster with the truth-telling hips had in mind when she shacked up with the proud son of Catalonia, although the Rumour Mill is inclined to think the story is almost certainly complete cobblers and only in circulation because it gives certain sports editors an excuse to publish photos of Shakira. Talk linking the elegant Barcelona central defender Gerard Piqué with a return to Manchester United has been rubbished by “informed sources” who say he won’t be leaving Spain because Shakira won’t let him. It seems trips to the Arndale Centre and Clippers Brasserie weren’t exactly what the Colombian popster with the truth-telling hips had in mind when she shacked up with the proud son of Catalonia, although the Rumour Mill is inclined to think the story is almost certainly complete cobblers and only in circulation because it gives certain sports editors an excuse to publish photos of Shakira.
Having been sidelined with injury and apparently no longer guaranteed his place in the side at Barcelona since the club signed Jeremy Mathieu, Piqué is said to have been unsettled at Camp Nou, but this week his manager Luis Enrique was quick to lavish praise upon the player. “Pique’s attitude is great, he’s optimistic, working hard,” said Enrique. “His hip problem has been solved, he’s ready to help us.” Having been sidelined with injury and apparently no longer guaranteed his place since Barcelona signed Jeremy Mathieu, Piqué is said to have been unsettled but this week Luis Enrique was quick to lavish praise on the player. “Pique’s attitude is great, he’s optimistic, working hard,” said the Barça manager. “His hip problem has been solved, he’s ready to help us.”
Marco Reus has decided to delay his entry into contract negotiations with Borussia Dortmund, presumably so the frenzy of interest whipped up by suits from Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal will drive up the amount of money his agent is able to demand from the Bundesliga side. Far more importantly, his procrastination will also ensure he enjoys the warm ego-boosts that come from regular daily mentions in the Rumour Mill. Marco Reus has decided to delay his entry into contract negotiations with Borussia Dortmund, presumably so the frenzy of interest whipped up by suits from Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal will drive up the amount of money his agent is able to demand from the Bundesliga side. Far more importantly, his procrastination will also ensure he enjoys the warm ego boosts that come from regular daily mentions in the Rumour Mill.
Midfielder and long term Arsenal target Adrian Rabiot has been informed that his club Paris Saint-Germain will sell him to the highest bidder in January unless he inks a new deal with the French champions in the meantime, while Spanish daily AS say that Real Madrid and Barcelona are both hoping to lure Manchester United striker Robin van Persie to Spain next summer. Midfielder and long-term Arsenal target Adrien Rabiot has been informed Paris Saint-Germain will sell him to the highest bidder in January unless he inks a new deal with the French champions, while the Spanish daily AS say Real Madrid and Barcelona are both hoping to lure the Manchester United striker Robin van Persie to Spain next summer.
MK Dons midfielder and England Under-19 international Delle Ali remains one of the brightest young prospects in English football and it seems that Tottenham Hotspur have joined a long list of suitors for the player that includes Liverpool and Newcastle United. The 18-year-old is believed to be valued at £10m by the League One club, for whom he has already scored six goals in 11 appearances this season. The MK Dons midfielder and England Under-19 international Delle Alli remains one of the brightest young prospects in English football and it seems Tottenham Hotspur have joined a long list of suitors that includes Liverpool and Newcastle United. The 18-year-old is believed to be valued at £10m by the League One club, for whom he has scored six goals in 11 appearances this season.
And finally, having left Wolves under a cloud in 2012 before making his £12m move to Sunderland, Scottish striker Steven Fletcher is being linked with a return to the Midlands on loan. “He’s not one we’ve pursued but we’ll see – we’re always looking at players and you never know where you go,” said Wolves boss Kenny Jackett, who sounded barely able to contain his excitement at the possibility of a Fletcher return to Molineux. And finally, having left Wolves under a cloud in 2012 before making his £12m move to Sunderland, the striker Steven Fletcher is being linked with a return to the Midlands on loan. “He’s not one we’ve pursued but we’ll see – we’re always looking at players and you never know where you go,” said the Wolves manager Kenny Jackett, who sounded barely able to contain his excitement at the possibility of a Fletcher return to Molineux.