Gossip: Lindelof fee increases, Gibbs, Giggs
PALACE RAID
If you thought Jermain Defoe would be Sam Allardyce’s first signing as Crystal Palace manager, it turns out that you could be horribly mistaken. The Sun report that the erstwhile Sunderland boss will indeed look to strengthen a defence that really does need strengthening.
In a Mike McGrath exclusive, it is revealed that Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs is being targeted by Allardyce. In fact, he was being watched by Palace even before the large one’s appointment.
Gibbs has just 18 months left on his contract at Arsenal, and is firmly second-choice left-back behind Nacho Monreal. He has actually impressed on the occasion he is given a chance in the first team this season, but Arsene Wenger could choose to cash in while he can.
Palace’s current left-back is Martin Kelly. Get the deal done, Sam.
TO THE VICTOR
We have an update on Victor Lindelof for you. Manchester United still want him, Lindelof still wants them, and Benfica are still open to selling. But he could cost a lot more than before.
Why? Because Benfica are crafty little beggars, and are looking to renew Lindelof’s contract. That, in turn, would raise his release clause from £30million to closer to £50m. Time to dig deep if you really reckon that defence isn’t good enough, Jose.
It is Portuguese newspaper O Jogo who report on the possibility of a new deal, with the Daily Mail adding that Mourinho wants Lindelof to ‘sure-up’ his defence, whatever that means. The increased release clause is thought to be in response to the centre-half’s first club, Swedish side Vasteras, being in line for 10 per cent of the proceedings from any sale.
O Jogo are even lovely enough to let us know what kind of contract Lindelof will be on at United if they sign him. It is reported that he has been offered £58,000 a week. He is currently on just over £3,000 at Benfica.
GIVE IT GIGGSEH
Bob Bradley, eh? The American’s reign at Swansea was ended after just 11 games on Tuesday. The Welsh side are now looking for their third manager of the season.
According to the Daily Star, they have identified Chris Coleman as their ‘top target’. Chairman Huw Jenkins believes Swansea should make an appointment ‘that will re-establish the club’s identity’, which basically means they should get someone in who is Welsh.
The Daily Mail go down the slightly less-assured route of noting that Ryan Giggs is ‘a contender’. The news comes from Riath Al-Samarrai, who was the first to break the news of Bradley’s demise.
It is believed that although Giggs disappointed in his interview, he ‘built a rapport’ with Jenkins and will again be considered. Probably because he is Welsh.
AND THE REST
Table-topping Chelsea have launched a £21.3million bid for promising Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie…Tiémoué Bakayoko has said he will not leave AS Monaco for either Chelsea or Manchester United in January…Manchester United are ready to launch a £35m bid for Benfica defender Nelson Semedo…Manchester United and Arsenal are among the Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt…Sunderland boss David Moyes will resist Sam Allardyce’s efforts to lure 34-year-old striker Jermain Defoe to Crystal Palace…Manchester City’s Joe Hart, 29, and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, 23, are on Chelsea’s list of potential replacements if current goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois leaves for Real Madrid in the summer…Toulouse reject a £8.5m bid from West Ham for their 25-year-old striker Martin Braithwaite.
