Louis van Gaal is taking a hard line with his wantaway goalkeeper
The game of chicken between Manchester United and Real Madrid involving David de Gea and Sergio Ramos is continuing, with United showing no signs of softening their stance. Madrid target De Gea has been told to make sure he shows up at preseason training next week despite his desire for a move back to Spain. The club have already rejected a £15million offer for their number one, but have told Real they would be prepared to swap De Gea for defender Sergio Ramos, for whom they have already had an offer of £30million knocked back. (Daily Star)
United have also been told they are wasting their time making a bid for Republic of Ireland full-back Seamus Coleman. (Daily Star)
Tim Sherwood looks set to have his pick of out-of-favour strikers should anyone trigger Christian Benteke’s mammoth £32.5million release clause at Aston Villa. Liverpool are ready to chuck Fabio Borini and/or Rickie Lambert into a deal for the Belgium forward, while Tottenham will attempt to entice Sherwood into thinking Emmanuel Adebayor is the man to lead the line at Villa Park. The Togo striker did manage 14 goals in 25 games under Sherwood at White Hart Lane, so advantage Spurs? (Mirror)
We are beginning to fear Arsene Wenger may end a 15th consecutive transfer window without signing a proper central midfielder after becoming a little too enamoured with a fine half-season from Francis Coquelin. The club appear to have lost interest in Southampton’s £25million-rated Morgan Schneiderlin and now no longer want to sign Chile star Arturo Vidal either. Latest reports suggest a move for Portugal Under-21 sensation William Carvalho, but we’ll believe it when we see it. (Evening Standard)
With Petr Cech trying to make new friends at the Emirates, Chelsea will look to fill that seat on the bench behind Jose Mourinho with Stoke’s Asmir Begovic. If they can add a further £2million to their initial £6million offer, the deal should get across the line, something we’re unlikely to say often about Begovic next season. (Telegraph)
Chelsea target Aaron Cresswell has signed a new five-year deal at West Ham. The improved contract is just reward for his sparkling form since his arrival from Ipswich last summer, but this news does have a touch of the protecting-the-sell-on-value about it. (Guardian)
