A round-up of the biggest football transfer stories from across Europe including David De Gea’s future at Manchester United, interest in Radamel Falcao, and Manchester City’s links to Lionel Messi.
David De Gea
The future of goalkeeper David De Gea continues to fill up column inches in the British press, with two separate reports claiming a move to Real Madrid could be on the cards at the end of the season.
After a sticky start to his Manchester United career, De Gea has emerged as one of the world’s leading goalkeepers in the past two seasons.
Given his ability and his Spanish nationality, speculation linking De Gea with a switch to Real Madrid is unsurprising.
A report in Sunday’s Daily Mirror claims United are ready to capitalise on Real’s reported interest in De Gea by using the 24-year-old in an exchange-plus-cash deal to lure Madrid forward Gareth Bale to Old Trafford.
In addition to giving the Spanish giants the goalkeeper, United are also prepared to part with £50 million (AED 278m) to land Bale.
Meanwhile, a report in Sunday’s Daily Star claims Real Madrid are readying a bid for De Gea, but will need to be prepared to break the transfer world record for a goalkeeper.
It seems this rumour will not be going anywhere anytime soon, although any potential deal will undoubtedly not take place until the end of the season.
Radamel Falcao
A trio of Premier League clubs have enquired to Monaco about the availability of striker Radamel Falcao for when his loan deal ends at Manchester United, according to the Sunday Times.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have all made contact with the French club to discuss Falcao’s situation and could be ready to pounce should United decide not to make his move permanent.
The Colombia striker has struggled to nail down a place in Louis van Gaal’s starting side and at present, United would struggle to justify spending the £43 million AED 239m) required to complete the deal.
The reported interest from City seems far-fetched considering the club has just spent £25 million (AED 139m) on Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony, while Arsenal are not lacking firepower with Alexis Sanchez in their ranks.
However, Liverpool are in dire need of a proven goalscorer having failed to fill the void left by Luis Suarez with the signing of Italian Mario Balotelli, and a move for Falcao would make logical sense.
Tottenham
Tottenham have rekindled their interest in Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka as club Dnipro look to sell the winger this month before he leaves on a free transfer.
Liverpool attempted to sign Konoplyanka last year in a deal worth a reported £20m (AED 111.2m), but ultimately withdrew the offer due to payment demands.
Dnipro are now ready to sell the 25-year-old for £7m (AED 38.9m) to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
A report from British newspaper Daily Mail reports that Manchester United, Everton, and Inter Milan are also interested, but the player himself is thought to favour a move to White Hart Lane.
Luka Modric
Luka Modric could be heading back to the Premier League after a Fifa agent claimed the midfielder’s wife is not happy in Madrid, with Manchester Uited and Chelsea ready to offer him a return.
The Croatian has become a mainstay in Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid midfield, but reports in the media suggest he could make a switch back to England for the happiness of his family.
Francois Gallardo, described as a Fifa agent, has claimed Vanja Modric is unhappy in Madrid and could play a major role in her husband’s return to the Premier League.
Gallardo said: “Modric is the engine of Real Madrid, but the problem it is his wife who did not fit into Madrid in Spain.”
Chelsea have been long-time admirers of the former Tottenham playmaker, while United’s need for invention in centre midfield make them obvious suitors should Modric desire a move to England.
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