Gossip: Man Utd offered PSG star, Arsenal make Mertens offer

Ian Watson

CAVANI DANGLED IN FRONT OF MAN UTD
Edinson Cavani has been one of the biggest names on the transfer grapevine this month. The PSG striker is out of contract in the summer and Atletico Madrid were said to be closing in on the Uruguyan’s signature, but it seems the Parisians have put their foot down.

PSG have seemingly decided that Cavani won’t leave mid-season – certainly not for anything less than £25million – and the 32-year-old will see out his contract. But come the summer, Cavani won’t cost a penny in transfer fees, and Manchester United have been urged by the player’s party to make a move.

That’s the claim of the Manchester Evening News, which reports that the Red Devils have been offered the former Napoli hitman ahead of the start of next season. There is no word on United’s response, and of course Cavani’s agents would approach the most desperate club with the deepest pockets first.

 

MERTENS MADE OFFER BY ARSENAL
Atletico’s failure to land Cavani this month was said to have possible consequences for Arsenal. Diego Simeone had Alexandre Lacazette lined up as his back-up plan if a deal couldn’t be agreed with PSG.

But Arsenal already have concerns over losing another of their strikers. The future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains unclear and reports in Italy suggest they are making moves to cover for the loss of the centre-forward.

Like Cavani, Dries Mertens is approaching free agency and the Gunners have got an offer in for the Napoli striker. The 32-year-old is free to discuss his future with other clubs and numerous sources including Sky Italia and Corriere del Mezzogiorno claim he is mulling over Arsenal’s offer.

West Ham have apparently made one too but they have already been custard pied.

 

CHELSEA LEAD WERNER RACE
Chelsea too are desperate for a centre-forward but they are looking at a younger option, namely Timo Werner.

The RB Leipzig striker looks set to move on from the Bundesliga, probably in the summer, and he has been fluttering his eyelashes at the Premier League and La Liga.

The Daily Mail puts Chelsea at the front of the queue, though the fee remains unclear since no one seems quite sure what his buy-out clause involves. Some reports suggested he could move for around £30million; this story mentions £68million.

 

LEICESTER LINE UP CHILWELL REPLACEMENT
Chelsea are also keen to sign Ben Chilwell and Leicester are seemingly resigned to losing the England left-back at some point.

The Foxes are lining up potential replacements with Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand said to be chief among them. The Daily Mail says the former Chelsea full-back would be quite willing to discuss a move to the King Power Stadium, with only a year remaining on his Saints deal at the end of the season.

 

AND THE REST
Man City still hope to keep Leroy Sane… City are also keen on Villarreal midfielder Ivan Morante… Jose Mourinho has spoken to City full-back Joao Cancelo about joining Spurs… Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare has a choice between Man Utd and Chelsea… Juventus midfielder Emre Can has again ruled out a move to Man Utd because of his Liverpool connections… Billy Sharp has turned down another offer to leave Sheffield United with Celtic, Derby County, Leeds and Nottingham Forest all interested… Aston Villa are being linked with Steven Nzonzi… Inter’s Matias Vecino won’t be joining Everton, according to his agent… Newcastle won’t be allowed to sign RB Leipzig’s Ademola Lookman on loan.

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