Gossip: Blanc and The Ox to Old Trafford?

Daniel Storey

MAN UNITED NOW WANT OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
You might be reading a little more on this story later, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s agent deserves a whacking great pay rise. In the last few weeks the Arsenal reserve has been linked with moves to Manchester City, Chelsea, West Ham, Southampton and Liverpool. You can add Manchester United to that list.

The story comes from Dean Jones at Bleacher Report, while ESPN are running the same story that a ‘source’ close to the player has said United are showing interest in the England international. There is a pretty obvious translation for ‘source close to the player’; it’s ‘agent’.

 

GOALKEEPER GIVING EVERYONE THE HORN?
Something from our friends at The Set Pieces now, with their quotes from FC Koln goalkeeper Timo Horn. Both Sport Bild and the Daily Express have reported Liverpool interest in Horn.

So, what did the goalkeeper say?

“I have a long contract [until 2019] in Cologne and my heart is in Cologne. I think we will talk about it with the manager [Peter Stöger], Jörg Schmadtke and also the goalkeeper trainer and then we will see what comes next.”

Unsurprisingly, most outlets have taken this as ‘Horn gives Liverpool transfer boost’, but he’s hardly resorting to outrageous flirting. “I have a long contract in Cologne and my heart is in Cologne” doesn’t scream come-and-get-me plea.

 

LAURENT BLANC TO OLD TRAFFORD
Here’s another story you might read about a little later too. Neil Custis has got himself another exclusive on the Manchester United manager situation. Someone really wants to put the pressure on United to hurry up and appoint Jose Mourinho.

Custis’ story is that Paris St Germain manager Laurent Blanc is a ‘shock’ contender to get the United gig over Mourinho. Blanc is second favourite, so it’s hardly a ridiculous suggestion.

We’re told that there has recently been a wave of support within Old Trafford for Blanc to be named as the next United manager, largely due to him wanting to keep Ryan Giggs on as his assistant.

We’re also told that ‘it is not certain that Mourinho has lost out and he has a verbal agreement to take charge of the club in the summer’, and that ‘there is even a three-year £60million contract drawn up ready’. So, as you were then?

 

AND THE REST
Renato Sanches looks set for Manchester United in a £40m deal, with the Old Trafford club closing on the Benfica teenager… Interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has played down speculation linking 25-year-old winger Eden Hazard with a move this summer… Bournemouth are interested in signing 25-year-old Reading midfielder Oliver Norwood this summer… Chelsea forward Dominic Solanke, 18, is holding out for £50,000 a week to stay at Stamford Bridge – despite never having started a first-team game… Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi, 22, favours a move to Tottenham over West Ham and Juventus this summer… Barcelona midfielder Alen Halilovic, 19, is determined to fight for his future at the Nou Camp and will not consider a move to the Premier League.