Manchester United were having it all their own way, until now.
Louis van Gaal has secured most of his top priority signings, this summer, and still calls David de Gea his number one.
The one area he has been frustrated in has been his defence.
Van Gaal was rebuffed in his attempts to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, earlier this summer. The Dutchman wants a pillar in the centre of his defence and, to that end, targeted Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi.
The Argentinean’s agent was in Europe, last week, prompting speculation of a move to Manchester. However, Super Deportes has declared Otamendi will remain in Spain next season.
Respected Spanish football journalist Sid Lowe suggests that Otamendi is not yet tied up with Valencia.
@101greatgoals that's a request not a statement of fact
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) July 28, 2015
As if that news wasn’t confusing enough The Guardian state that PSG are only offering United £28.5m for Angel Di Maria.
The Arentine attacker’s days at Old Trafford look numbered but it will be a cold day in hell before van Gaal lets him go for less than £40m.
Toss in Real Madrid’s cocky proclamations that Sergio Ramos will be staying with Los Blancos next season and it adds up to a rotten couple of days during this summer’s previously jubilant transfer window.
Spurs are in need of a pacey frontman next season, to both complement and take the goalscoring pressure off Harry Kane.
The Evening Standard believe West Brom’s Saido Berahino fits that bill, and report that a £15m bid should do the trick.
Daily Star report that Kevin de Bruyne has said he is keen to join Manchester City. While the former Chelsea midfielder has not uttered those words within sight of a dictaphone, his agents may be working behind the scenes.
Another striker likely to be moving this summer [although August marks the beginning of autumn] is QPR’s Charlie Austin. Rangers want £15m for the England international but Newcastle, his most fervent suitors, are only willing to stump up £13.25m. [Daily Express]
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