Gossip: Kroos, Florenzi, Ter Stegen, Vidal
UNITED WANT TER STEGEN…
Manchester United have identified Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as David De Gea’s most likely replacement, should we be treated to another interminable transfer saga involving Real Madrid and United’s goalkeeper this summer.
While De Gea’s exit is hardly confirmed, you would expect United to be making contingency plans. Those plans presumably don’t include Sergio Romero or Ben Amos.
The Daily Mirror report that Ter Stegen is not entirely pleased with life at Barcelona, where he is the first-choice goalkeeper in cup games but must stand aside for Claudio Bravo in La Liga.
Interest from Borussia Dortmund is also mentioned, which does seem a great deal more likely with Roman Weidenfeller coming to the end of his career.
…AND ROMA’S ALESSANDRO FIORENZI
Manchester United are also to go up against Chelsea over the signing of Roma star Alessandro Florenzi, according to that bastion of transfer accuracy the Daily Express.
The 25-year-old is a versatile performer who can operate at right-back or on the right side of midfield. He really has been pretty great this season. Fiorenzi is valued at around £28million by his club.
United want the player to form a link with fellow Italian Matteo Darmian down United’s right next season and believe they can land their man, despite looking likely to miss out on a top-four place. Let’s get a new manager in first.
KROOS HAS OFFER TO JOIN ARSENAL
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has an offer to join Arsenal according to reports in Spain. Why are we being coy? Those reports are in AS.
Kroos has a contract at the Bernabeu until 2020, so the chances of him actually leaving are surely slim. However, AS believes that the German is considering his options, and that Arsenal are one of a number of clubs who have declared their interest. Again, it’s not really Kroos’ choice given that he is under contract.
Let’s face it, this would be a bloody brilliant signing for Arsenal and also surely persuade Mesut Ozil to stay. For those reasons alone, it won’t happen.
CHELSEA WANT EVERYONE
Ah, good on the Daily Star. They see people linking players to clubs in their ones and twos, and wonder how on earth they can keep up. Then, suddenly, they hit on the solution: Link players to clubs in their threes and fours.
The paper report that Antonio Conte has told Chelsea he can solve their issues by signing Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan and Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal. We’ve heard every one of those names before, but squish them all together and you get a new story.
Elsewhere, reports in Italy say that Chelsea will target Roma’s Kostas Manolas. It’s going to be a busy summer at Stamford Bridge, isn’t it?
AND THE REST
Chelsea have offered Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 34, a two-year deal worth almost £10m a season…Leicester fear Claudio Ranieri could buy himself out of his existing deal and join a bigger European club…Chelsea youngster Kenedy could be a surprise target for Barcelona…Arsenal and Manchester City have been joined by Real Madrid and Juventus in the race to sign Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak…Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has agreed a shock deal to manage Jordan as well as his role at Derby…Stoke and England goalkeeper Jack Butland, 23, is on the verge of signing a new five-year contract…Southend boss Phil Brown is a leading contender to replace Neil Lennon at Bolton.