Robin Van Persie, Dani Alves, Clint Dempsey Top World Transfer Gossip Roundup

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With football season starting to diminish around Europe, the thought of new transfers begin to creep into everybody's minds.

Football is big business these days, and player prices reflect the absurd lifestyles of these weekend heroes.

So without further ado—whether true or false, rubbish or bona fide gossip from the horse's mouth—here is the World Transfer Gossip Roundup.

David Luiz

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Barcelona apparently wants David Luiz as a direct replacement for Carlos Puyol. They are literally going to put Luiz in Puyol's shirt and play him for the next 15 years, hoping nobody notices.

The Catalan giants are reportedly ready to offer £30 million for the Brazilian international.

Seydou Keita

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After being linked with Liverpool for so long this year, Seydou Keita could yet decide to move to Italy instead.

With his days seemingly numbered at Barcelona, the 32-year-old Mali international is thought to prefer a move to AC Milan that could see Thiago Silva going the other way.

Michael Owen

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Has England finally seen the last of crocked former star Michael Owen?

With his Manchester United deal set to expire in the summer, Owen could be set to join Nicolas Anelka at Shanghai Shenhua in China according to The Sun.

Owen has played just 80 minutes of Premier League football this season.

Raúl

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Former Real Madrid striker Raúl could make a shock appearance in the Premier League next season if talkSPORT are to be believed.

Rumour has it that Fulham and Newcastle United have made inquiries regarding the 34-year-old striker who is set to leave Schalke after his next appearance.

Gerard Piqué

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With Rio Ferdinand now 33 years of age, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is believed to be lining up a shock bid for Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué as a long-term replacement.

The Spanish international was at Manchester United before he moved to the Catalan giants and could favour a fresh challenge.

Ferguson would have to break the bank to sign him.

Robin Van Persie

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Is anyone else sick of this will-he-won't-he situation involving Robin Van Persie?

Arsène Wenger needs to put his foot down and get the deal done or sell to the highest bidder as soon as possible.

Juventus are the latest team who could throw some cash in the Gunner's direction, with a reported £35 million to spend—should they win Serie A.

The article goes on to mention Luis Suárez, Carlos Tévez and Gonzalo Higuaín.

Gareth Bale

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The Daily Mirror has stated that Manchester City are set to flex their financial muscles with a £40 million bid for Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale.

The deal is believed to be a player-plus-cash offer for the Welshman that would see Emmanuel Adebayor heading in the opposite direction.

Clint Dempsey

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Liverpool's co-owner Tom Werner has declared his admiration for 29-year-old Clint Dempsey stating, "We never talk publicly about our transfer targets, however, any team would be lucky to have Clint Dempsey playing in their squad."

Dempsey's superb scoring form this season has lead to speculation that a bigger club may come in for his signature before too long.

Liverpool may face competition from Arsenal should they make inquiries for the American international.

Alex Song and Thomas Vermaelan

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Arsenal may have to fight to keep hold of some key players in the summer, following news that José Mourinho's Real Madrid are targeting Alex Song and Thomas Vermaelen.

With Arsène Wenger already having to deal with the Robin Van Persie contract situation, he will not welcome stories linking his ball-winning midfielder and strongest central defender.

There is no fee mentioned for the duo.

Dani Alves

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Barcelona defender Dani Alves is reportedly set to reject any transfer offer from Manchester City this summer.

There is no fee mentioned for the 28-year-old Brazilian who has apparently cited getting back into the Catalan's starting eleven as his main objective.

Alves was left out in the cold for the final month of Pep Guardiola's management of the club.

 

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