Gossip: Hummels, Bender, Townsend, Shelvey

Matt Stead

HUMMELS TO HAND IN TRANSFER REQUEST
After 427 long years of each party fluttering their eyelashes at the other, Mats Hummels could finally seal his move to Manchester United in the summer.

The news comes from German newspaper Bild, who report that the central defender has had a falling out with Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel, and is ready to leave the club at the end of the season.

Hummel’s contract at Dortmund expires in the summer of 2017, and so the German club could look to cash in on the 26-year-old for fear of him leaving for free the following summer.

 

WENGER IN FOR BENDER
He’s been tipped as one of five potential replacements for the injured Francis Coquelin, and now the link between Arsenal and Lars Bender has been restored, thanks to our old friends, Calciomercato.

It’s a very short story but has been predictably lapped up on these shores. The translated version on the Italian outlet’s website is as follows:

Struggling with the long injury to the French Coquelin , the ‘Arsenal is willing to take measures to strengthen the midfield. The last profile followed by Arsene Wenger would be to Lars Bender , captain of Bayer Leverkusen.

Simple.

 

TOWNSEND AND SHELVEY TO TOON
We bring a rather continental gossip back home now, with the Daily Mail’s claims that Newcastle want both Andros Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey. Sexy.

They claim that Newcastle are supremely confident that they can secure a deal to sign Spurs winger Townsend on loan in January, with a view to a permanent signing in the summer.

The Mail also report that Steve McClaren is keen to make an ‘ambitious move’ for Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. The fact that this is seen as ‘ambitious’ pretty much sums up how far the Magpies have fallen, with no disrespect to Shelvey or Swansea.

 

AND THE REST
Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew is considering a move for £14million Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani…West Ham boss Slaven Bilic wants a reunion with Besiktas winger Gokhan Tore and could swoop in January…Ivory Coast hotshot Gohi Bi Zoro Cyriac is keen on a move to the Premier League, with West Ham and Crystal Palace eyeing the Oostende star…West Brom and Leicester City are keeping tabs on Burnley right-back Tendayi Dariwka, 23…Angry exchanges have taken place between players and staff at Newcastle United’s training ground this week while Steve McClaren is furious with the attitude of some of his senior players.