Does anyone else get the feeling that Adnan Januzaj has two more games to save his Manchester United career?
Louis van Gaal insisted, following his side’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle, that he does not need another striker. United’s toothless league displays suggest otherwise.
The Dutchman was asked about the outlandish rumours linking Barcelona’s Neymar to the club and, once again, referred to the “process” that he could not shed any light on.
While many fans are dismissing such a big-money move – it would cost United north of €90 – The Guardian report that Neymar is, at the very least, interested in the move.
Monday morning brings yet another mega transfer story for United.
Metro and Sky Sports maintain that the Premier League side are still hoping to sign Gareth Bale before the transfer window closes. The cost? £95m.
Bale inadvertently fuelled such stories by going for goal, from an outrageously acute angle, rather than squaring for an unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bale and/or Neymar coming to Old Trafford would put some current noses out of joint. They would be odds-on to start each week, although van Gaal was not beholden to Angel di Maria’s £59.7m price-tag.
The United player to lose out, should a big-money signing arrive in early September, is Adnan Januzaj.
Liverpool Echo report that Everton are poised to bring Januzaj to Goodison Park on a season-long loan deal. The Belgian international rejected a similar move to Sunderland but van Gaal could well shunt him out for nine months of work experience.
Januzaj has away trips to Brugge and Swansea to convince him otherwise.
Elsewhere in the transfer round-up world, Arsenal have been linked with Karim Benzema for the umpteenth time.
Listeners to talkSPORT, last week, believed the Benzema deal was wrapped up for £48m. Now, we read that only £50m will prise the Frenchman away. [Daily Star]
AC Milan have emerged as new frontrunners to sign Mario Balotelli.
The Rossonerri are no fools, however, and are only willing to take a loan deal punt on the Liverpool forward. [ESPN]
Saido Berahino is a striking option for Tottenham but Tony Pulis says they are in for a fight.
Apart from WBA wanting to keep him, Pulis says another 19 clubs want the young forward. [Evening Standard]
