Gossip: Mourinho to link up with Sterling at Real Madrid

Matt Stead

NO WAY, JOSE
The good news for Manchester United fans who have finally defected is that Real Madrid want Jose Mourinho back. The bad news is that it won’t happen for some time.

Our good friends over at Sport Witness have been kind enough to translate a story from Spanish website El Confidencial, who claims it is an ‘open secret’ that Real president Florentino Perez wants Mourinho back at some point. The two have stayed in contact since Mourinho left the club in summer 2013, a decision Perez disagreed with at the time.

The article, as every article with regards to Mourinho must, discusses the fact that he is still staying in the Lowry hotel, and that his family is located in London. Thus there is a chance that he is not completely happy in Manchester, and will eventually move on.

El Confidencial pitch a potential return to Real. He is said to have ‘a legion of friends’ in the Spanish capital, and did win La Liga during his time there. But he also has ‘intimate enemies’ in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos, and United will ‘go to death with him’. Their football already has.

 

STERLING EFFORT
Over to the Daily Mirror now, where Raheem Sterling’s future has been ‘plunged into doubt’. John Cross has the scoop.

‘City have yet to begin formal contract talks with Sterling even though he will enter the final two years of his contract at the end of the season.

‘England star Sterling is enjoying the best season of his life, has scored 20 goals and been a key member of Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing side.

‘But even though they have have signed up Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva to new deals, City are making Sterling wait.’

Because he has more than two years left on his deal. He probably isn’t even considering his future (although his agent clearly is, and has John Cross’ phone number).

Cross adds that this ‘lack of movement’ will alert a number of clubs, Real Madrid chief among them. Let’s just hope they start contract extension negotiations five years in advance when he joins them.

 

AND THE REST
Juventus have reached an agreement to sign Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian, 28, in the summer… The father of Paris St-Germain forward Neymar remains in contact with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as he tries to secure a move for the 26-year-old Brazilian… Former Sunderland midfielder Jan Kirchhoff, 27, is in talks to join Championship side Bolton until the end of the season… Chinese club Dalian Yifang are close to signing West Ham defender Jose Fonte, 34, for £5m. The Portuguese is surplus to requirements under David Moyes… Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco, 24, is set to leave Atletico Madrid and join Dalian Yifang for 30m euros (£27m). A deal could be completed by the end of this week… Atletico Madrid are interested in signing West Ham defender Reece Oxford, 19, who is on loan at Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach. The Hammers value the England Under-19 international at £12m… Barcelona have decided not to follow up their interest in Lyon skipper Nabil Fekir. Arsenal have been linked with a £45m move for the 24-year-old midfielder.