A report in Spanish-language outlet Don Balon says "teams are rubbing their hands after the latest words of Chicharito".
Those teams, the report says specifically, are Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, each of whom could use added strike punch. And Bayer Leverkusen's in-form Javier Hernandez isn't exactly looking to quiet speculation.
Telling Don Balon, "I do not know if I will play next season at Bayer," Hernandez indicates he could move, even though he only arrived at the Bundesliga club in the summer from Manchester United. "In this sport, it does not matter if you sign a contract for ten years or ten times to extend one year," Hernandez says. "In six months everything can be different."
Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page
Hernandez, 27, would make a sensible recruit to any of the three clubs Don Balon cites – "English clubs are those that have shown more interest" the report says, before listing Premier League trio Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool. Tottenham have been linked with Chicharito in the past, and have sought a second pure striker to pair with Harry Kane since last winter. Arsenal, too, could easily use another body to add to their strike force of Olivier Giroud and Joel Campbell for their title push.
Liverpool, dealing with Daniel Sturridge's constant injury issues and the lingering sense that Christian Benteke is a poor fit for Jurgen Klopp's system, would also figure to be looking for the kind of production Hernandez has provided to Leverkusen with only Divock Origi backing up those two.
It has been a redemptive year for Hernandez, who was never given much of a look by Louis van Gaal at United and then dismissed as a permament option by Real Madrid following a loan. In Germany he has scored 11 goals in 14 league appearances for the fifth-placed side, adding another five goals in six Uefa Champions League matches. That output has been good to spot him fourth in the scoring table domestically and in the Champions League.
Mexico national team coach Juan Carlos Osorio, for one, believes Hernandez is capable of guiding his career in the right direction. Osorio recently told German outlet Bild that he has "once again proved that he can make good decisions" in making the Leverkusen move in the first place.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United hope to push home their interest in Tottenham winger Andros Townsend this week as head coach Steve McClaren looks to strengthen his attacking options.
The club have opened talks over the England international and are hopeful of landing him either on a permanent deal, or on a loan basis with an option to buy in the summer.
Press Association Sport understands the 24-year-old, who has also been linked with Watford and West Bromwich Albion in recent weeks, has indicated a willingness to make the move to Tyneside.
However, no deal has yet been agreed and Spurs are understood to be holding out for their full valuation of a player who has not featured in the first team at White Hart Lane since the 2-1 Europa League defeat by Anderlecht on October 22 after reportedly falling out with a member of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s staff.
Both clubs are renowned for driving a hard bargain and it remains to be seen whether or not they can find common ground with McClaren keen to have Townsend at his disposal as soon as possible, and ideally before Saturday’s Premier League trip to Watford.
*Press Association
Manchester City
Manchester City right back Pablo Zabaleta has ruled out a move away from the club during the January transfer window after British media linked the defender with a switch to Italian side Inter Milan.
Two knee injuries have disrupted the 31-year-old’s season and he made only his third start in Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace.
Read more: Richard Jolly on Manchester City proving they can pull something out of nothing
“I want to finish the season here and am not thinking of going anywhere in January,” Zabaleta told British media.
“It’s January, and everything comes from the media about players coming in or going out but I am 100 per cent focused on City at the moment.”
However, Zabaleta, who is facing strong competition for a starting spot from Bacary Sagna, refused to rule out a possible exit during the close season, especially with just one year left on his contract.
“At the end of this season I will have one more year left on my contract. Normally the end of this season will be the time to decide what we will do,” the Argentina international said.
*Reuters
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