Gossip: Gareth Bale to Man United? For fu…

Matt Stead

UNITED WANT BALE AGAIN
Oh for fu…

Yes, this again. After countless transfer windows passed with Manchester United moving for Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and the reinvigorated corpse of Pele, the United ‘Galactico’ movement still lives on in 2016.

Of course, United have literally just broken the world-record transfer fee for Paul Pogba, but the Daily Star on Sunday remain adamant that Old Trafford will overtake Real Madrid as ‘the home of the Galacticos’. How? By signing one of theirs.

But Paul Hetherington is just teasing us. Bale is United’s No.1 target – for next summer. Which means another whole year of the same tired updates.

Bale ‘would become the first £100m player’ if he is sold, which is hardly an outlandish suggestion. Also: ‘United believe they could have an ace to play in that their kit sponsors, Adidas, also have a contract with Bale.’

Of course, Real opened contract talks with the Welshman earlier this summer, so yeah.

 

FOR FUCHS’ SAKE
Jurgen Klopp seems rather happy with James Milner at left-back for Liverpool, doesn’t he? But of course, something so menial has never deterred a newspaper from completely ignoring something of importance. And the Sun on Sunday is no ordinary newspaper, folks.

Mike McGrath of the aforementioned paper says that Christian Fuchs’ talks over a new Leicester contract have stalled, and that Jurgen Klopp is considering making his move.

Fuchs, who ‘is not among the highest earners’ at Leicester, was signed on a free transfer from Schalke last season before winning the bloody league, and was wanted by Klopp earlier this summer before the German changed his mind. But his interest has returned, and the 30-year-old Austrian could solve a left-back problem he really does have, regardless of what he thinks.

 

PANIC AT THE ISCO
We aren’t sure which part of Tottenham’s potential ‘loan swoop’ for Real Madrid midfielder Isco is a ‘sensational swoop’, but the Daily Mirror seem rather excited on Sunday morning.

Steve Stammers writes:

‘Tottenham are lining up a sensational swoop for Real Madrid star Isco.

‘European champions Real are under pressure to reduce the seize of their squad and it has become a straight choice between Isco – a £25million signing from Malaga three years ago – and Colombian ace James Rodriguez.

‘Club president Florentino Perez has made it known to manager Zinedine Zidane that he wants James to stay, and has blocked a proposed move to Chelsea.’

‘Tottenham are favourites to sign him,’ Stammers adds. Again, would it be that surprising if a Champions League club, managed by one of the world’s most renowned young coaches, signed an unwanted player from another Champions League club?

 

WHERE THE HART IS
Time for some news of Joe Hart’s expected whereabouts, because not since everyone realised Richard Wright was still a thing has an England goalkeeper’s future been so widely discussed.

Torino have emerged as potential suitors for the Manchester City outcast, according to the Sunday People. The Serie A side cannot offer European football, but they can offer first-team football.

It is understood that Hart ‘would consider’ a move abroad, and is waiting for firm interest from the Italian side.

But Torino are not the only ones interested. According to the Sunday Express, AC Milan have also made an enquiry. One of those two sides sounds more appealing than the other.

 

AND THE REST
Chelsea captain John Terry, 35, has turned down an offer from Sam Allardyce to play for England as he feels his days as an international player are over… Manchester United are targeting Nottingham Forest midfielder and Scotland international Oliver Burke, 19… However, United could face competition – with Bayern Munich also taking an interest in recruiting Burke… Liverpool are unlikely to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic, 17, before the transfer deadline despite an initial offer of £11m… Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is close to adding Ante Coric, 19, to his side with the Croatian midfielder set for a medical at Anfield in the next 48 hours… Leicester City face competition from Juventus to sign Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, 27. The ex-Stoke City man has a £25m buy-out clause… Arsenal attempted to sign Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, 25, but the France international told Arsene Wenger at Euro 2016 that he did not want to leave Spain… Juventus want Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko, 27, but they are only prepared to pay £15m for the midfielder. Newcastle value him at £35m… Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez, 27, is being targeted by three Premier League sides including Hull City, who are keen to sign the player on loan.