Manchester United boss the transfer rumour mill this morning as The Daily Star reports that the Old Trafford outfit have opened talks with 22-year-old left-back Layvin Kurzawa of Monaco but they will have to shell out £12m for the Frenchman. Louis van Gaal has really taken the whole “good left-footed players are so important” thing a bit too seriously.
The glaring gap at the heart of the United defence is also looking to be plugged as Nemanja Vidic is reported to be keen on a return to Manchester after getting lost in the city centre of Milan for about 3 months. (The Daily Express)
Speaking of ex-United defenders, Gerard Pique could be set for a return to England but it may not be to Old Trafford. According to The Daily Express, the Barcelona man is keen on a move to Chelsea after being offered limited playing opportunities under new Barca boss Luis Enrique. John Terry will be over the moon with Shakira around.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea were once called the top four in a time before Southampton and West Ham became the best teams in world football. All four clubs are in the running to trick midfielder William Carvalho into leaving Sporting Lisbon for around €47m. (The Daily Star)
According to The Daily Express, Liverpool are also looking to bring in Porto forward Jackson Martinez for €38m, obviously misunderstanding the boasts of their Merseyside neighbours – “Martinez is one of the best in the world at what he does.”
Arsenal are also keen to trigger the €30m release clause of Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak in January as Arsene Wenger looks to bolster the weakened midfield at The Emirates and cause a bit of a nightmare for journos who struggle with spelling players’ names. (Metro)
The Telegraph reports that Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is eager for Connor Wickham to sign a new deal at the Stadium of Light but admits that the forward may be led by outside forces to leave the club for free next summer.
The biggest transfer news in the League of Ireland comes from the South as Cork City announced on Thursday that they had secured the signature of midfielder Gavan Holohan from Drogheda. Cork’s unexpected title run has obviously impressed players as Holohan has become the 10th man to commit to City’s 2015 campaign.
