World Football Gossip Roundup: Sneijder, Hulk, Lavezzi, Balotelli a Genius?

Michael CummingsJun 7, 2018

Wesley Sneijder and Manchester are back in the news. This time, though, it might not be quite what you're thinking.

Snejder, the 27-year-old Dutch superstar, leads today's B/R World Football Gossip Roundup, but he's far from the only newsmaker here.

Liverpool are reportedly close to naming a new manager, Hulk is reportedly close to joining Chelsea and six clubs are reportedly after Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Plus, Mario Balotelli has said something you'll definitely want to read.

Keep reading for the details.

City Turn to Sneijder?

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With Eden Hazard apparently on his way to Chelsea, Manchester City could turn their attention to Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

According to Italian reports cited by talkSPORT, City have asked about the availability of Sneijder, who currently plays for Inter Milan.

Inter finished sixth in Italy's Serie A this past season and missed out on Champions League qualification.

Sneijder, 27, was involved in a high-profile transfer saga with Manchester United last summer, but a deal never materialized.

Hulk Latest

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After winning the drawn-out Eden Hazard sweepstakes, Chelsea reportedly turned their attention to Porto's Brazilian attacker Hulk.

According to reports cited by Goal.com, the deal is "90 per cent complete."

Hulk, 25, would cost the European champions €50 million.

Liverpool Latest

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Brendan Rodgers is reportedly set to become Liverpool's next manager, with Louis van Gaal set to join as director of football.

All that is according to the Daily Mirror, which also says Wigan's Roberto Martinez—another candidate for the manager's job—will now turn his attention to Aston Villa.

Rodgers, 39, has managed Swansea City since 2010. Van Gaal, 60, formerly managed Bayern Munich, Ajax, the Netherlands and Barcelona.

United, City Watching Cissé?

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Papiss Demba Cissé scored 13 goals in 14 games—including this stunner—after joining Newcastle during the winter transfer window.

Now, according to the Daily Mirror, Manchester United and Manchester City are keeping tabs on him.

Cissé, 26, signed for £10 million in January.

Frenzy for Real Madrid B Striker?

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Joselu is a 22-year-old forward who currently plays for Real Madrid B.

According to reports out of Spain, several clubs in Spain and England will fight for his signature this summer. TalkSPORT has the details.

According to the reports, bidding would start at £5 million.

Six Clubs After Lavezzi?

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Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi is apparently just as popular right now.

Lavezzi, a 27-year-old Argentine attacker, is being tracked by six clubs. At least, that's what his boss says.

According to ESPN Soccernet, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said: "Six clubs continuously ask me about 'Il Pocho' (Lavezzi). There is an international bidding war going on for him."

Bayern, Javi Martinez in Contact?

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According to Goal.com, Bayern Munich and the agent of Athletic Bilbao defender Javi Martinez have "made contact."

Martinez, 23, reportedly has a €40 million buyout clause in his contract, but that apparently would not apply to non-Spanish clubs.

Martinez has earned seven senior caps for Spain.

Dortmund, Wolski in Talks?

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Goal.com also reports that German champions Borussia Dortmund are in talks with Polish midfielder Rafal Wolski.

Wolski, 19, currently plays for Legia Warsaw and has reportedly been compared to Dortmund's Mario Götze.

He has appeared twice for Poland's senior squad and is a member of his country's Euro 2012 team.

Man United with Most Supporters?

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According to Manchester United's official website, a study has confirmed that the world's most supported team is…

…wait for it…

…Manchester United.

The club now has a reported 659 million supporters. That number comes from a survey conducted by Kantar, using "54,000 respondents from 39 countries."