Gossip: Pedro, Calhanoglu, Banega, Griezmann

Matt Stead

PEDRO FEELING THE BLUES
It hasn’t gone well for Pedro, has it? From making 50 appearances in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign last season, the Spaniard now finds himself at a side 15th in the Premier League and seemingly on the verge of imploding. Poor dear.

Well, according to reports in his native Spain, the winger is feeling rather aggrieved. We say reports in Spain, we mean Fichajes (obviously). They claim the 28-year-old has privately informed Cesc Fabregas of his unhappiness at the club under Jose Mourinho (private but a Spanish website and no-one else has found out), and that he wishes to return to Barcelona.

They claim a lack of game time could be the reason for the Spain international’s disappointment upon his £21million move. Pedro has played 533 minutes in the Premier League so far this season, fewer than 11 team-mates, but of course he signed after two games had been played.

The Metro and the Daily Express have picked up on Fichajes’ reports, so the next in the food chain appears to be the Daily Telegraph. We give it two hours.

 

ARSENAL AND MAN UNITED BACK IN FOR HAKAN
Sticking with the Daily Express, whose delightfully named Charlie Phillippe brings us news of Hakan Calhanoglu, a previous reported subject of interest of both Arsenal and Manchester United.

According to the Express, Bayer Leverkusen’s chief executive Michael Schade has said the set-piece specialist ‘will not be leaving for any less than £29million’ (although the headline reads Bayer Leverkusen reveal star may leave for £29m – which one is it?)

Asked by German newspaper Bild on the interest in the ‘next Ozil’ – presumably dubbed as such because he’s a bit Turkish – what Schade actually said was: “I see that. We want to keep Hakan, but with us there is a pain threshold. I am calm and relaxed.”

Strangely, he doesn’t mention a valuation. Yet he has both ‘revealed he may leave for £29million,’ as well as saying he ‘won’t be leaving for any less than £29million’.

 

CITY AFTER HAPPY EVER
They may already boast Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, Fernando and Fabian Delph (can you boast Fabian Delph?) among their central midfield ranks, but Manchester City are after another, if The Sun is to be believed.

Their man Tom Gardiner claims that Manuel Pellegrini is keen on Ever Banega after the Argentinean midfielder impressed against City in the Champions League for Sevilla. Banega has been in fine form this season after initially struggling to break through in La Liga with Valencia, but the 27-year-old has shone for Sevilla.

 

AND THE REST
Chelsea believe they need a major signing to get back on track next summer and remain determined to make Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann that man…West Ham are planning a £5million January bid for AC Milan playmaker Keisuke Honda…Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been linked with David Beckham’s new MLS franchise.