Gossip: De Gea, Kroos, Keita, Higuain

Daniel Storey

IF REAL WANT DE GEA, UNITED GET KROOS
Well well. We never thought that Manchester United would make things easy for Real Madrid over their pursuit of David de Gea, and it now appears they have come back with a classic counter offer.

According to John Richardson writing in the Sunday Mirror, United will demand Toni Kroos as part of any deal that sees De Gea join Real Madrid. In typically tabloid fashion, it is described as ‘Jose Mourinho has launched a Kroos missile at Real Madrid’. Sure.

In fairness, it would be a wonderful plan. United need a central midfielder and Kroos is one of the best around. Still can’t see it happening, mind.

 

LIVERPOOL WILL OFFER THE FULL WHACK FOR KEITA
Having been consistently told that RB Leipzig will not negotiate on Naby Keita and with Jurgen Klopp saying he will not accept Plan B options in the transfer market this summer, it looks more and more like Liverpool will have to stump up eye-watering cash for the midfielder.

Writing in the Sunday Mirror, Simon Mullock says that Liverpool will not take no for an answer and will bid £70m for 22-year-old Keita. That really would give Leipzig a decision to make, and surely push the move through?

 

PRETTY BOLD CLAIMS ABOUT HIGUAIN
Oh Tuttosport, you lovely b*stards. Never has an outlet seemed to create its transfer stories by rolling one dice with player names and another with clubs.

Their latest big shout is that Gonzalo Higuain is subject to an £88m bid from Chelsea. That would be a stonking amount of money to spend on a 29-year-old striker, and is surely completely ludicrous. Higuain is already fourth most expensive player in the game’s history after joining Juventus.

Maybe Chelsea should concentrate on getting Alex Sandro from Juventus first before they worry about Higuain.

 

AND THE REST
Talks about a new contract for Antonio Conte at Chelsea have stalled… Manchester City are stepping up their efforts to sign Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy… Stoke City want £22.5 from West Ham for Marko Arnautovic… Leicester City are holding out for more than £40m for Riyad Mahrez… Liverpool winger Ryan Kent, 20, is wanted by Hull… Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera, 27, will sign a new four-year deal with the club worth £200,000-a-week.