Gossip: Fellaini, Sane, Calleri, Lavezzi
FELLAINI TO GO IN JANUARY?
Marouane Fellaini could quit Manchester United in January if Belgium coach Marc Wilmots gets his way.
Louis van Gaal has used Fellaini more sparingly this term after resurrecting the Belgian’s club career last season. With the arrival of Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, the 27-year-old has seen his opportunities in midfield or attack limited, which is no use to Wilmots.
“A player who does not play for his club is annoying for a coach. Maybe he will try to find a new challenge in January, if it is possible.”
Van Gaal is unlikely to willingly allow Fellaini to leave mid-season, since the big brute seems to be the manager’s favourite Plan B off the bench. If Fellaini did become available, it would be fascinating to see what calibre of clubs register their interest, and how much United would recoup of the £27million David Moyes paid Everton.
UNITED IN SANE RACE
United have been ‘camped out at Schalke matches’, according to The Sun, who claim the Red Devils are trying to muscle in on Liverpool’s pursuit of Leroy Sane.
Van Gaal has made no secret of his desire for more pace in his attack and the teenager, who made his Germany debut off the bench against France last week, would appear to fit the bill.
Liverpool have long been linked with Sane and reportedly had an offer rejected in the summer. Jurgen Klopp’s presence has ratcheted up the speculation, because both are German and, well, that’s it.
If United’s German scout Peter Braun has been watching Sane as regularly as The Sun claims, he will have seen the 19-year-old score four goals and register three assists in seven Bundesliga starts and five appearances off the bench.
CHELSEA CALL ON CALLERI
Chelsea are said to be on the verge of signing striker Jonathan Calleri from Boca Juniors.
You may have seen Calleri do this recently, and reports suggest a transfer is all-but complete for a fee in the region of £7million.
Reports in the Argentine media suggest the deal will be announced after the Boca elections on December 6, while ESPN say Stoke, Arsenal and Inter Milan have also been interested.
With more doubts surfacing this week over the futures of Pedro and Falcao, it seems certain that Jose Mourinho will dip into the market in January for attacking reinforcements. He may have grander plans, though, than Calleri, especially in the short-term since some reports have suggested the 22-year-old may be loaned out.
AND THE REST
PSG’s Ezequiel Lavezzi has admitted it ‘would be a dream’ to play for Barcelona…Roberto Martinez has revealed that Everton could lose Gerard Deulofeu back to Barcelona next year due to the complex terms of his summer move…Emmanuel Adebayor is back in a Tottenham kit as the misfit striker builds on his fitness in Togo as he awaits a potential January move…Arsenal are giving a trial to 15-year-old goalkeeper Josh Donaldson with other Premier League sides also interested. The 15-year-old is on Dundee United’s books…Claudio Ranieri reckons Jamie Vardy will snub a big-money move away from Leicester in January – to keep his Euro 2016 dream alive.