Louis van Gaal is apparently planning on attempting to buy every player in world football in the hope that at least some will agree to join.
Manchester United have been linked with anyone and everyone in the build-up to the opening of the transfer window, except for Mario Balotelli…nobody wants Mario Balotelli.
And after already signing Memphis Depay, it looks like the Red Devils have gotten their man for the second time as the Daily Star report that Dani Alves has agreed a deal to move to Old Trafford when his Barcelona contract expires on 1 July.
The Brazilian is one of the best right-backs currently plying his trade in Europe and, with a glaring scarcity of options in that position, he’s been put right at the top of van Gaal’s wishlist.
United have yet to confirm the deal and no word is expected from the player who has tomorrow’s Champions League final firmly in his mind.
While Alves seems to be a hit, it appears that another Brazilian has been a miss as Bayern Munich’s Dante has reportedly turned down the chance to join United.
Dante had been another target for Louis van Gaal as he attempted to shore up his leaky defence and the Red Devils were willing to offer Bayern a fee in the region of €27 million but the player has no intentions of leaving the Allianz Arena as he believes titles are more likely to come his way with the Bundesliga champions.
Dante said: “I’ve been in at least the semi-finals of the Champions League and the German Cup in each of these three years, and won the Bundesliga each time.
“It can hardly get any better than that.” (Daily Star)
Away from Old Trafford, it seems that Liverpool could be set for a reunion with a former defender as reports in Spain suggest that they are considering a move for Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa if they fail to secure the services of Nathaniel Clyne.
Like United, Liverpool are in desperate need of a reliable right-back and the Spaniard could welcome a return to Anfield due to the fact that he’s fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabeu with Dani Carvajal now the preferred man on the right of the back four. (fichajes.net)
The goalkeeping situation at Anfield is also looking more promising in terms of arrivals after Sporting Lisbon signed Azbe Jug, leaving the door open for Liverpool target, Rui Patricio, to join the Reds.
It’s understood that Liverpool are willing to offer the Primeira Liga side €15 million for the Portuguese stopper as Brendan Rodgers attempts to put some competition in place for Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool’s lack of Champions League football could be a stumbling block in the transfer but The Express report that the 27-year-old could accept Europa League football which will come as music to the ears of Pool fans who still doubt Mignolet’s reliability.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are considering a €34 million bid for Monaco’s Geoffrey Kondogbia if they fail in their pursuit of top target Morgan Schneiderlin.
Arsene Wenger acknowledges the need for a trusted central midfielder and who better than the man who played a part in knocking the Gunners out of the Champions League this season?
