Gossip: Zivkovic on Utd’s radar; race for Rabiot and Werner

Ian Watson

UNITED TRACKING BENFICA WINGER
Jose Mourinho has reportedly instructed Manchester United’s scouts to keep a close eye on Benfica winger Andrija Zivkovic.

The Serbia winger came to Mourinho’s attention last season during his debut season at Benfica following his move from Partizan Belgrade last summer.

According to O Jogo, United representatives were present in midweek for Benfica’s Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow. Of course they were – United are in the same group. They will have seen Zivkovic lay on Benfica’s goal during their 2-1 defeat.

During his maiden season in Portugal, the winger laid on four goals, making 10 starts in the league and another five substitute appearances. He has four years remaining on a five-year contract.

 

INTER EYE ARSENAL AND SPURS TARGET
Arsenal and Tottenham supposedly fancy Adrien Rabiot, but they aren’t the only ones.

The PSG midfielder still has just short of two years remaining on his contract but, according to Calciomercato, Inter Milan are set to rival the north London giants in any race to sign the 22-year-old. Inter hold a long-standing interest in Rabiot and are prepared to move again in January.

Emmanuel Petit yesterday suggested Rabiot as a long-term successor to Andres Iniesta at Barcelona, and the clamour around her son appears to have gone to Ma Rabiot’s head.

Acting as his agent, according to L’Equipe, she has set three conditions if he is to extend his terms at PSG: the club must have an exciting project; he must be playing in his favoured position, on the left of midfield; and they need to sign a new defensive midfielder.

A meeting between her and Daniel Levy sounds like a tantalising prospect.

 

REAL RIVALS FOR WERNER
Liverpool reportedly have plans to raid RB Liepzig again but they are unlikely to have a free run at Timo Werner like they enjoyed on Naby Keita.

The Germany international is attracting interest from all over Europe, and Werner has suggested he would be open to a move to one of the Premier League or La Liga giants.

According to Don Balon, Real Madrid are especially keen, with the 21-year-old identified as the ideal target to rejuvenate their attack.

Werner scored 21 goals in the Bundesliga last term and laid on another seven. He has three goals in three league games so far this season.

 

AND THE REST
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists there was no viable alternative to Virgil van Dijk after he failed to sign the Southampton centre-half…England goalkeeper Jack Butland says the Stoke fans would understand if he followed his ambition and moved to a bigger club…Mauricio Pochettino says Spurs midfielder Dele Alli must focus on his football and not the agents who are battling to secure his signature…Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld says he is concentrating on trying to win trophies with Spurs while his father and agent sort out his contract..PSG defender Thomas Meunier says Belgium team-mate and Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois would be a good signing for the French club.

Bayern Munich and Germany forward Thomas Muller has admitted he considered leaving the Bundesliga champions for Manchester United in 2015…Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy would not have left Monaco if Chelsea was his only option, says the club’s vice president Vadim Vasilyev…Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is confident defender and captain Jamaal Lascelles will soon sign an improved contract…Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola fears academy midfielder Brahim Diaz could be tempted by a move to Real Madrid…West Brom’s owners have rejected an approach from a US investor to buy the club…Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte will reject a move to Barcelona to sign for Real Madrid.