Gossip: Manolas, Darmian, Krul, Lukaku

Ian Watson

MAN UTD REBUFFED OVER MANOLAS
Roma have apparently turned down a £28million bid from Manchester United for Kostas Manolas.

That is according to Emanuele Giuanelli, an Italian journalist or ‘transfer guru’ as the Daily Star call him. Corierre dello Sport reported earlier in the week that United and Chelsea were sniffing around the Greek centre-back, with the Red Devils said to have firmed up that interest with a bid.

One defender who could be on his way out of Old Trafford is Matteo Darmian, with Barcelona said to be interested.

Tuttomercatoweb claim Barca’s director of international football, Ariedo Braida, is pushing for Darmian’s arrival, with Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo also having been linked with a switch to the Nou Camp as the Catalans seemingly eye up all the defenders Jose Mourinho doesn’t fancy.

 

KOEMAN KEEN ON KEEPER KRUL
Everton are interested in Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, according to The Chronicle.

Ronald Koeman is looking for a new goalkeeper, with Tim Howard having returned to the MLS and Joel Robles being not very good.

Joe Hart, Fraser Forster and Jasper Cillessen have all been linked with a switch to Goodison Park, but the north-east paper reports that Koeman’s interest in Krul is serious, with a bid expected to be submitted.

Krul missed most of last season due to a knee injury sustained in October. Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow deputised admirably and with Krul having only a year remaining on his contract, Newcastle may be open to selling the 28-year-old.

Another gloveman likely to be on the move is Northern Ireland hero Michael McGovern, who The Sun claims is wanted by Southampton as back-up to Forster.

 

EVERTON TO MAKE LUKAKU STAY
Romelu Lukaku has never hidden his ambition but the Belgium striker is likely to be disappointed if he thinks he’s likely to get a big move this summer. We think he should give them one more season.

Everton are reported to be desperate to keep the former Chelsea forward, with The Telegraph reporting that new investor Farhad Moshiri will sanction a new £100,000-a-week contract.

Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with Lukaku, who has repeatedly stated his desire to play in the Champions League – not that United or Chelsea can offer that next season. Even if Lukaku refuses to commit, the report claims the club may well price him out of a move.

Matt Law’s story says Everton are rather less set on making John Stones stay at the club, with talks said to have taken place between the Toffees and Manchester City over a possible deal worth around £40million.

 

AND THE REST
Manchester United have been told they can have unsettled Real Madrid star James Rodriguez this summer for around £50million…Watford are the latest Premier League club to join the hunt for Andros Townsend…Everton are interested in Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul…Burnley manager Sean Dyche has enquired about Aston Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood…Tottenham have made contact with Roma over a move for £11.5m-rated Tony Sanabria, according to the striker’s agent…Barcelona will announce the signing of Samuel Umtiti from Lyon ‘in the next few weeks’…Porto are interested in bringing Eliaquim Mangala back from Manchester City…Barcelona will attempt to sign Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro once they have secured Neymar’s future at the Nou Camp.

Leicester are expected to conclude the £13m signing of Nampalys Mendy next week after the 24-year-old Nice midfielder visited the club’s training ground…Arsenal are putting together a £23m bid for Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani after being snubbed by Jamie Vardy…Liverpool are in line to be taken over by Chinese investors following the Brexit vote……Hamburg are eyeing Leeds target – NEC Nijmegen striker Anthony Limbombe – as a potential summer signing…AC Milan have put West Ham and Leicester on alert by putting £21m-rated striker Carlos Bacca on the market now they have signed Gianluca Lapadula from Pescara.

Thibaut Courtois has admitted he is not planning on staying at Chelsea for the rest of his career…West Brom are close to agreeing a £14.5m deal for Palermo striker Franco Vazquez…Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is determined to keep striker Romelu Lukaku, and is prepared to offer him a £100,000-a-week contract to do so…Nathan Redmond will have a medical at Southampton this weekend before sealing a £10m switch to the south coast…Liverpool have rejected an £8m bid made by Swansea for Wales international Joe Allen and are holding out for £10m..Peterborough have signed Crawley Town midfielder Gwion Edwards on a three-year deal. The 23-year-old had attracted interest from both Celtic and Rangers.