Porto’s highly-rated defender Abdoulaye Ba is a loan target for Aston Villa and Southampton, according to the Daily Mail.
The 22-year-old Senegal international has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer and Porto are thought to be willing to let him leave Portugal in a loan deal worth at least £400,000.
And it is now thought that the Premier League duo have both lodged bids to bring the defender to England before the transfer window closes next week.
However, the Portuguese giants may change their mind if Eliaquim Managala is the subject of a late bid from Chelsea, who are reported to be lining up a move for the defender.
Ba was a member of Senegal’s under-23 squad that faced Great Britain in the London 2012 Olympic Games, while he has been capped four times by the Senegal national team.
Paul Lambert has been busy strengthening his Aston Villa squad this summer with no less than six new faces arriving at Villa Park, as he desperately tries to improve on Villa’s relegation-threatened campaign last term.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochetttino has splashed out almost £35million on new recruits during this transfer window, including £13million on Roma’s Pablo Osvaldo and £12.7million on Celtic’s Victor Wanyama.
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Arsenal loanee Nicklas Bendtner has been labelled too fat by his new employers at Juventus.
The Danish international was a deadline day signing for the Italian champions, but lacks fitness as Arsene Wenger allowed him to miss training to try and find a new club throughout pre-season.
It is said the 24 year old is carrying too much weight to be effective Serie A, and his transfer has also been questioned in some quarters. The Daily Mail report that former star midfielder at the club, Alessio Tacchinardi said, “I will not say Bendtner is a bad player, but he does not help improve Juventus either.”
A key club objective for the Gunners this summer was removing disillusioned, out of favour players, Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin from the wage bill, who earn £52,000 and £80,000 a week respectively.
However the diminutive Russian remains at the club, enquiries were made for Russia’s captain to take him back to his home country. But Arsenal’s £5 million evaluation proved a sticking point and the 31 year old remains an Arsenal player for now.
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Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be in the market to improve their defence this summer.
The future of Toby Alderweireld has been a major talking point this season, with many wondering whether the Belgian will be at the North London outfit beyond the summer.
If not, manager Mauricio Pochettino will have to identify a new centre-back, but not only does he have the back line to consider.
Michel Vorm is expected to be a free agent in the summer and could be let go due to failing to provide stern enough competition for Hugo Lloris’s position as number one goalkeeper.
The Mirror cites Spanish publication Marca as saying that Napoli shot-stopper Pepe Reina will be available at the end of the season.
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It is believed that Liverpool will try to re-sign their former keeper, but perhaps Tottenham should be in the running.
Even though Lloris is unlikely to lose the number one tag, having Reina in the mix would keep the Frenchman on his toes.
Plus, Reina’s experience could prove important when sharing responsibilities in various competitions.
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At the moment, there does not seem to be any concrete interest from Tottenham in the ex-Liverpool keeper, but should there be?
High quality home-grown talent is becoming an ever-rarer commodity in the Premier League’s modern age, something which Manchester City will be only too aware of.
Following the departures of James Milner, Micah Richards and Frank Lampard, Joe Hart is now a solitary England international in the Citizens’ first team squad, with only the ever-elusive Richard Wright – a 37 year-old yet to register a competitive appearance for City – Frenchman Gael Clichy and a selection of academy products boosting their home-grown quota.
So Greg Dyke’s intentions to increase the home-grown quota from eight to twelve over the course of the next few seasons, whilst also changing the parameters to three years of training in England before the age of 18 rather than 21, could soon land the Etihad outfit in particularly volcanic water.
That need has already seen the Citizens linked with a £30million bid for Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere this summer, but Arsene Wenger’s expected hands-off rebuttal is now forcing them to consider a cut-price alternative in Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph.
No doubt, Delph is a decent footballer, whose form over the last two seasons has earned him a recurring role in Roy Hodgson’s England plans; as Wilshere’s left-sided guard dog in the engine room.
He’s a well-rounded midfielder, with great tenacity, drive on the ball and occasional moments of technical brilliance – his under-footed volley against Chelsea during the 2013/14 campaign springs to mind. Without sounding too disrespectful to Villa, the Bradford-born box-to-boxer could – and probably should – be plying his trade at a higher level.
Furthermore, Delph’s Villains contract includes a £8million release clause, which certainly offers good value for money. That, in combination with his home-grown status, his proven Premier League pedigree, the 25 year-old’s relative youth and his preferred left foot, leaves the former Leeds youngster in a rather niche sector of the transfer market.
Yet, if there’s one lingering concern, it’s what kind of role Delph could expect should he make the move to Eastlands this summer. He’s no long-term successor to Yaya Toure, that much is already certain, but he’s also worryingly similar in style to Fernandinho, another box-to-box playbreaker, and lacks the Champions League experience of anchorman Fernando.
In my mind, he’s not done enough yet to prove himself worthy of a top European club, in the same manner as Arsenal and Manchester United target Morgan Schneiderlin has. So if Manuel Pellegrini persists with his four-man midfield for another season, Delph could struggle to break into the engine room on a regular basis.
In the short-term, Delph’s sheer arrival would complete City’s primary objective; improving their home-grown quota without spending an absolute fortune. Yet, he’s another home-grown addition to the squad rather than the starting XI, continuing a dysfunctional cycle the Sheik-owned club must start veering away from.
Although the likes of Lampard, Wright and Scott Sinclair all served a purpose, the short-term nature of their Etihad tenures leaves City facing the same issue every summer – how best to improve their home-grown contingent in the space of a single window, amid the seeming absence of readily available top drawer talent. In a nutshell, they’re stop-gap solutions, and Delph is of the same cloth. That approach hasn’t particularly hindered them so far, but it is, in essence, unsustainable.
With City also boasting an ageing squad – the oldest in the Premier League last season – and the psychological impact of failing to retain a second Premier League title, this should be the summer they begin to rebuild, finding new, British focal points for their starting XI, capable of underpinning the team for the best part of the next five or six years. Whilst compatriot and fellow target Raheem Sterling has the potential to fit that category, Delph unfortunately does not.
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Rather than revamping, City are falling into the same old traps.
Barcelona midfield man Cesc Fabregas will make a decision on his future next week after increased interest from the Premier League, according to the Daily Mirror.
The former Arsenal captain has failed to secure a regular first team spot at the Nou Camp with Andres Iniesta and Xavi playing in a similar role.
New Manchester United manager David Moyes is apparently a big fan of the Spanish international and the Premier League champions have been heavily linked with a move for the Fabregas this summer.
The Catalan club have dismissed reports that their man is set to leave Spain this summer but the Mirror claims that will not be the end of this saga for the summer.
Arsenal have forced a clause in Fabregas’ contract whereby they have to be informed if any club makes a bid for their former player to give them a chance of resigning a fans favourite.
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Manchester City have stepped up their efforts to sign Inter right-back Maicon, The Guardian state.
Roberto Mancini has admitted that his side must strengthen their squad before the end of the transfer window if they are to challenge on all fronts this term, but as yet Jack Rodwell has been the only addition this summer.
The Premier League champions have been frustrated in their attempts to sign the likes of Daniele De Rossi and Javi Martinez, whilst a deal to bring Scott Sinclair to the Etihad Stadium still hangs in the balance.
Maicon has less than a year left on his contract in Italy, and the player’s agent has confirmed that there is interest from Mancini’s men.
“There is interest from Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea in the player,” Roberto Calenda confirmed.
“There is no possibility that he goes to Milan or Juventus. He has worn the Nerazzurri shirt for six seasons and has too much respect for the fans to betray them in that manner. He could also yet remain at Inter.”
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Inter are rumoured to be willing to sell the veteran South American defender for around €6 million (£4.7m).
According to Goal.com, Everton are eyeing former Watford and Hull manager Marco Silva to take the club forward in the long term.
Silva was first choice to replace Ronaldo Koeman in October. But the Portuguese manager decided to stay to Watford and former England manager Sam Allardyce took the hot seat.
What’s the story?
Allardyce steadied the ship and it looks like he will keep the Toffees up this year. However, he has not been a popular figure around the club. Fans were opposed to his appointment as they felt that he is not the man to take the club forward.
Allardyce is adamant that he will remain at the club next season but Goal.com are reporting that the club are keeping their options open.
The Toffees have several options available to them and will assess these over the summer. They have been linked with Eddie Howe, Duncan Ferguson, Louis van Gaal and Roberto Mancini.
Everton should gamble on Silva
Despite Everton having a number of options, Silva would not be the safe choice.
He has shown in small glimpses that he is a very good manager but is yet to prove himself across an entire Premier League season. The way he left Watford could put Everton off, too.
Sticking with Big Sam or hiring someone like Van Gaal or Mancini would be safe choices for the Merseyside club.
While they have a proven track record, they would be short-term appointments. Bill Kenwright and Farhad Moshiri should appoint someone who can implement a long-term plan at the club.
Silva is only 40-years-old and has the potential to become a great manager – he proved at Hull that he can revitalise a squad. At Watford, he showed he is shrewd in the transfer market, signing the likes of Richarlison, Nathanial Chalobah, Will Hughes and Andre Grey.
His time at Watford ended sourly and it was clear that the attention from Everton had distracted him. However, before this, he had taken the Hornets from fighting to stay in the league to a top-eight side.
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On the face of it, Everton have a very good squad. A few signings in the summer and appointing Silva could see Everton finally fulfil the ambition their fans expect. He got the best out of an average Hull squad and made Watford an extremely dangerous side.
It might be a gamble but Marco Silva would be a gamble worth taking.
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal stole the show at the club’s annual awards ceremony on Tuesday night.
After shouting “Hello, hello, pay attention to the manager!” he continued to amuse everyone in the room and reminded people just why he is the perfect man for the job.
When Sir Alex Ferguson announced that he was going to retire at the end of the 2012/13 season many were worried about what would happen. The next season was turbulent with chosen successor David Moyes struggling with the pressure, which saw him lose his job only 10 months later.
After club legend Ryan Giggs took over until the end of the season, the former Netherland’s coach came in on a three-year-deal with Giggs staying on as his assistant.
Van Gaal has had a mixed first season in the Premier League but the reception he received at the last home game of the season and the awards dinner showed how much the fans have grown to love the Dutchman. He endured a nightmare start to life at Old Trafford when the Red Devils lost their opening game of the season to Swansea and then were shockingly knocked out of the Capital One Cup by League One side MK Dons.
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Training has been tough under the 63-year-old but it seems to have paid off, and the team have bonded under the pressure. Captain Wayne Rooney said: “”I think the first few months it was different, we found it tough and I think that probably showed in our performances.
“But since then I think everyone has seen the quality of football we’ve been playing and I’m sure with the experience the manager has got we’ll kick on from that, learn a lot and it will benefit us.”
Van Gaal feared that the fans would not get behind him after this unplanned start but it has been completely the opposite. Speaking to the press, he said: “I have been asked recently what the biggest highlight of my first season as manager of Manchester United and the answer is always the same – the support of the fans.”
“For me, it is unbelievable and something I have not experienced at the other clubs I have managed.”
The team have secured 4th and a spot in next season’s Champions League and with one game to go, Van Gaal has managed to get a 61% win rate in all competitions. Not bad for a club that started so poorly.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford has gone back to the Ferguson years. All is not perfect, though, but it was always going to take time. Now there is a belief in the team and the management that wasn’t there during David Moyes’ short spell.
Team captain Wayne Rooney believes that this season will be a platform for future success for the squad and next season they can go on and really challenge for the title. The 29-year-old said: “We’ve done what we wanted to do this season.
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“The main aim was to get back in the Champions League. We’ve done that and we know we’ve got the quality in the squad to push on.”
The fans and the team have spoken. Van Gaal could be staying at United for a long time and they are all very happy about it. After a tough start, it is clear everyone involved with Manchester United believes Van Gaal has been a success.
Horst Heldt say Schalke will not let Real Madrid and Arsenal target Julian Draxler leave the club in the summer, according to Goal.
The winger has been in fine form for the Gelsenkirchen outfit this season, leading to reports linking him with a move to a host of Europe’s top clubs in the summer.
However, Heldt has denied the claims and says the club have no intention of letting the 19-year-old leave at the end of the campaign.
“There is no exit clause and we have no intention of selling Julian at the end of this season. He is feeling very well at the club and is the face of Schalke,” Heldt was quoted as saying by Bild “What I would say if a €100 million offer came in tomorrow?”
“You can’t blame Julian for having the desire to play at one of his dream clubs in Spain at some point. If Barcelona or Madrid were to offer €100m, we would look at things differently.”
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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho rang the changes for the trip to Bournemouth – making seven in all – and gave hope to some of his fringe players that they might force their way into contention for the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Saturday.
In contrast to Saturday’s opponents – Mauricio Pochettino also made alterations but then saw his team held 1-1 by Brighton – United were more fluid as a result and ran out 2-0 winners, with Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku securing the win in a routine victory.
Second place looks all but theirs now so their attention can be fully turned to the FA Cup – United’s only remaining chance of silverware – and one man who did his chances of securing a surprise inclusion no harm was Luke Shaw.
The defender, valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, enjoyed a solid return to the first-team on his first start since the FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton, after which he was severely criticised by Mourinho.
Here, he made amends with a solid, energetic performance. In an attacking sense, he showed what he can offer United – that maybe Ashley Young cannot – with three crosses to go with a shot and a key pass apiece.
At the other end, he made four tackles and two clearances against a lively home attack, which should serve as something of a reminder to Mourinho of his defensive capabilities.
Ashley Young has emerged as something of a lieutenant for Mourinho this season, but the former Aston Villa man has been average at best since he muted Mo Salah at Old Trafford in March.
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If that does open the door to Shaw, he showed here that he is primed to take advantage on Saturday.