Manchester United Transfer News: Real Madrid are prepared to sell Gareth Bale, reports claim
Express Sport brings you all the latest transfer rumours involving Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Wednesday October 11
Merson cleared to play
14:55: Welsh League Division Three team Caerau have received international clearance to play former England and Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson.
Caerau secretary Dai Hooper confirmed that all the required paperwork had now come through which will make the 49-year-old available for the home match against Pontyclun on October 18.
Merson, who won 21 England caps, was part of the Arsenal team which won the First Division championship in both 1988/89 and 1990/91 as well as the 1993 FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994.
The midfielder left Highbury for Middlesbrough in 1997 and also had spells with Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Walsall, going on to manage the Saddlers between 2004 and 2006 before taking up a role as a media pundit for Sky Sports.
Hooper hopes the presence of Merson, whom he got to know after they met at a function, can help raise the profile of the Maesteg-based side.
Kakuta on Chelsea loan system
14:45: Former Chelsea academy prospect Gael Kakuta has given his thoughts on the club’s loan system.
The 26-year-old, who made 16 appearances in six years at Stamford Bridge, said he felt like a “commodity” rather than a valued member of the squad.
He said: “The impression of being a commodity when I am linked to my loans? The worst part is when they do not take into account your performance, your involvement in training.
"You can do what you want, there are things above you that have nothing to do with you. I got even more of an understanding when a great player like Romelu Lukaku is treated the same at Chelsea.
"He was back from a great season on loan at West Brom. Chelsea came out of a mediocre season when no Blues striker had shone as much as he did. Still, he was told he was not ready… there, I understood that I had to take my bags and get clear!"
Liverpool match doesn't excite me - Jose
14:40: Jose Mourinho has attempted to play down the historic rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool ahead of the two sides meeting at Anfield on Saturday.
Asked if he got excited about historically big games, Mourinho said: No, not at all. It's three points.
"An opposing player told me 'this match is like a cup final'. And I thought 'why'.
"For me, every match is cup final and I've been like this all the time. Do I like to go to Anfield? Yes, I love to. Do I like to play against Liverpool? Yes.
"I like amazing stadiums, I like the best opponents but the preparations is not different. The way I prepare myself is not different, it's just a match."
"When you are at a big club, when you are a big player, a big manager, every match is important. You cannot look at some matches as cup finals and other matches different than that.”
PSG 3/1 to sign Kante
14:30: The bookies have been quick to react to the news that Paris St-Germain are looking to sign N’Golo Kante.
French publication Le Parisien claim PSG will table an offer in the summer, but it will cost them at least double the £32million Chelsea paid to take him from the King Power Stadium.
Betway’s Alan Alger said: “With Unai Emery keen to build a midfield that will complement PSG’s attacking talents, N’Golo Kante looks set to be a leading name on the French club’s wishlist next summer.
“A bid in excess of £90m would certainly test Chelsea’s resolve, and with PSG’s Qatari owners set to spend heavy again next summer, we’re 3/1 for Kante to be lured to the Parc des Princes before the start of the 18/19 season.”
Reid tried to sign Zlatan… TWICE!
14:00: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s career path could have taken a very different turn.
Everton legend Peter Reid has revealed that he tried to sign the enigmatic Swede during his seven-year tenure as Sunderland manager.
"I liked his physique and I liked his feet. I tried. I tried," Reid told the Daily Mail.
“When he was at Malmo I tried to get him but he went to Ajax. We were at Roker Park, but no chance. I didn't have that clout to attract him.
"When he was at Ajax, we'd moved to the Stadium of Light so I went over, had a meeting. I thought I had a chance, but no. We offered £6 million which was decent dough, but they wanted more. I saw him walk past and he smiled. But no conversation."
Kakuta on Chelsea loan system
13:45: Former Chelsea academy prospect Gael Kakuta has given his thoughts on the club’s loan system.
The 26-year-old, who made 16 appearances in six years at Stamford Bridge, said he felt like a “commodity” rather than a valued member of the squad.
He said: “The impression of being a commodity when I am linked to my loans? The worst part is when they do not take into account your performance, your involvement in training.
"You can do what you want, there are things above you that have nothing to do with you. I got even more of an understanding when a great player like Romelu Lukaku is treated the same at Chelsea.
"He was back from a great season on loan at West Brom. Chelsea came out of a mediocre season when no Blues striker had shone as much as he did. Still, he was told he was not ready… there, I understood that I had to take my bags and get clear!"
Bayern enter Emre Can pursuit
13:30: Bayern Munich have joined the growing list of clubs looking to sign Liverpool midfielder Emre Can.
The Germany international is in the final nine months of his current deal at Anfield, making him eligible in January to sign a pre-contract for next summer with other clubs.
Juventus and Manchester United have been credited with interest, but Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claim Bayern are now in contention.
It’s suggested that new Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes is a fan of Can, and has told the club’s directors that he wants him at the Allianz Arena.
Bale to United in £90m deal
13:15: Real Madrid would be willing to sell Gareth Bale to Manchester United - if they can recoup what they spent on him.
Bale has struggled in Madrid over the past 18 months despite sealing three Champions League crowns since moving from Tottenham.
Injuries have curtailed his impact and frustrations have grown from the sidelines and the boardroom.
The emergence of Marco Asensio and the form of Isco have made his indispensable tag fade and he missed the run in for the La Liga title last season.
He is currently out injured and has scored just once in the league this season.
Manchester United have kept an eye on his form and Jose Mourinho admitted he would move for him last summer if Zinedine Zidane wasn’t going to rely on him.
And Spanish publication El Confidencial claim Florentino Perez would be willing to sell him if he got the money he spent on him back.
Bale is believed to want things to work out in Madrid but sees Manchester United as a potential option in the future.
Arsenal favourites to sign Martial
13:10: Arsenal have emerged as favourites with the bookies to sign Manchester United forward Anthony Martial in January.
Arsenal were linked with a January move for Martial over the weekend as Gunners manager Arsene Wenger looks to replace Alexis Sanchez, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
The France international has started just four games across all competitions this term, but has still impressed with five goals and six assists.
And bookmakers Betfair have responded by pricing Arsenal as 8/1 favourites to sign the 22-year-old when the transfer window reopens in January.
The Gunners are just ahead of north London rivals Tottenham, who are at odds of 10/1.
Coutinho promised move
13:05 Liverpool chiefs have promised Philippe Coutinho he will be allowed to join Barcelona in January, providing the Catalan club make a respectable offer.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim Liverpool bosses are finally ready to let the 25-year-old leave.
They claim Coutinho was reluctant to play in the Champions League for Liverpool this season because it meant he wouldn’t be able to represent Barca in the same competition if he moved in January.
In order to convince the Brazilian to play in Europe, Liverpool chiefs promised him they’d let him move to La Liga in the New Year.
Seeing no other way to try and force his move to Barca, Coutinho agreed to Liverpool’s wishes and has already represented the club in draws with Sevilla and Spartak Moscow.
Coutinho knows he cannot play for Barca in the Champions League this season but that has not put him off joining.
The attacker is now hoping Liverpool stick to their promise and sell to Barca when the January transfer window opens.
Mundo Deportivo say Coutinho remains in contact with Barca and the club are keen to wrap up a deal as soon as possible with Paris Saint-Germain showing interest.
Blues eyeing Boakye
13:00: Chelsea are monitoring the Red Star Belgrade talent Richmond Boakye, reports claim.
According to GhanaSoccernet, Antonio Conte has requested that Chelsea’s recruitment team watch the 24-year-old, who’s netted 10 goals in 16 appearances this season.
Conte was Juventus manager during Boakye’s two-year spell in Turin, but never utilised the Ghana international.
It’s understood that Chelsea will send scouts to watch the striker against Arsenal in the Europa League when the two sides meet on October 19 and November 2.
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