Gossip: Man Utd in for €100m Wolves star, battle Liverpool for £10m ‘pearl’
Man Utd enter Jimenez race as Wolves hike up the price, and Leicester want all the defensive midfielders…
WOLVES AT THE DOOR
Transfer rumours surrounding Wolves players tend to be quiet when they’re not playing, as though the biggest European clubs forget just what brilliant players they’ve got. But the secret is out again, and speculation is ramping up over the futures of both Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez – who were just pipped to the best Premier League partnership of the season.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are all said to be interested in the Mexican forward, and although Liverpool have been put off by Wolves’ valuation, Manchester United have now entered the race, according to Duncan Castles.
Jimenez has scored 23 times across all competitions this season and United are likely to be looking for extra fire power, should Odion Ighalo make his expected return to China at the end of the season. And the Wolves man has described the interest from the Red Devils as “very cool”.
But with three years remaining on his contract, Wolves have the upper hand in any negotiations. Speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, The Times writer Castles claimed United will have to fork out €100m to lure the 29-year-old to Old Trafford.
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MORE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS?
Brendan Rodgers bloody loves defensive midfielders. He played two in their 0-0 draw with Brighton on Tuesday night, with both Nampalys Mendy and Wilfred Ndidi starting as Leicester looked ponderous and lacking in ideas.
And now he’s after another one. According to Marca, the Foxes have agreed personal terms with Real Betis for William Carvalho. The report claims the two clubs are still some way apart on their valuation of the player, with Betis understandably keen to hike up the price with a significant percentage of any fee going to his previous club, Sporting Lisbon.
‘PEARL OF PORTUGAL’
Liverpool have joined Man Utd in the race for ‘one of the pearls of Portugal’. Left-back Nuno Mendes made an impressive senior debut in Sporting Lisbon’s 2-0 Primeira Liga win over Tondela on Thursday, prompting the club to hand him a new five year contract the very next day, with a £40million release clause included.
But The Sun suggest he could be available for just £10million, with Jurgen Klopp joining Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in showing interest in the 18-year-old.
The Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas described him as “the best Under 19 left-back in Europe,” and Klopp is set to ‘open talks’ for Mendes, who is noted for his pace and attacking intent, as he seeks ‘back-up’ for Andy Robertson next season – the Merseyside derby suggested that would be a wise move.
AND THE REST
Juventus still want Jorginho…Atletico in for Gotze…Palace close in on West Brom’s Ferguson…Arsenal to extend Cedric deal…Arteta open to Guendouzi move
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