World Football Gossip Roundup: Michael Owen, David Luiz, Vertonghen, Balotelli

Surprise is the norm today in the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup.

What's the last place you'd imagine Michael Owen playing? Well, the last might soon become the first.

Which big club would never be interested in David Luiz? Hey, never say never.

And what about Napoli's three-headed attacking monster? They couldn't really be broken up, right?

Those stories and more await inside.

Owen to China?

Michael Owen to China?

That's what The Sun is reporting today, believe it or not. Apparently, Nicolas Anelka wants to bring the former England international forward to Shanghai Shenhua.

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Former Chelsea and Liverpool striker Anelka took over last week after Jean Tigana was sacked.

Shenhua chiefs are hoping to attract some big names to the Chinese Super League—starting with Manchester United’s former England striker.

Owen, 32, is out of contract this summer and was a huge hit with Chinese fans on United’s 2009 pre-season tour of the Far East.

It seems unlikely the Red Devils will offer Owen a new deal and the money in China—Chelsea’s Didier Drogba is rumoured to have been offered £240,000 a week—will be very tempting.

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For £240,000 a week, I'd probably move to China, too.

David Luiz to Barca?

Today's other shocking transfer gossip involves Chelsea defender David Luiz, who is reportedly a Barcelona target.

Luiz, 25, joined Chelsea for £24 million from Benfica in 2011.

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Outgoing Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is a big fan and his already-appointed successor, current assistant Tito Vilanova, is also keen, although it would take a bid in the region of £30m to prise him out of the west London club.

Barca want new faces at centre-half, left-back and striker.

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Arsenal fans are ignoring that last part.

Vertonghen to Barca?

Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen has apparently played his last game for Ajax, the newly crowned Dutch champions.

Vertonghen, 25, has been linked with Arsenal, but Ajax coach Frank De Boer thinks Vertonghen should go elsewhere.

From Goal.com:

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"I hope he will leave for Barcelona. Of course, Tottenham is a great club for Jan, but I think he will fit perfectly at Barca," De Boer told reporters.

The defender revealed that he is set to leave the Amsterdam ArenA after admitting that he played his last home game for the club in the 2-0 victory over VVV.

When asked if this was his last home appearance for the club, the defender was categorical:

"That's almost sure, yes," said the 25-year-old to reporters.

"

Keita to AC Milan?

Seydou Keita, on the other hand, could be set for a departure from Barca.

Keita, a 32-year-old midfielder, has been linked with Liverpool, but according to talkSPORT, Anzhi Makhachkala and AC Milan are also interested.

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The 32-year-old is looking for a contract that will take him to the end of his career and Russian super-spenders Anzhi have also made their interest known.

But Barca are prepared to use Keita as a makeweight in a deal to refresh their squad and are considering offering him plus cash to AC Milan in a deal for Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva.

Keita has previously described Liverpool as "a great club with great players", but he might now prefer a move to the San Siro, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

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No Juve Move for Balotelli?

If Mario Balotelli leaves Manchester City this summer, it won't be for Juventus.

From Goal.com:

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Juventus have told Mino Raiola, the agent of Manchester City attacker Mario Balotelli, that they are not interested in signing the Italy international, Goal.com has learned.

…

Balotelli has also been linked with a return to his former club Inter, while AC Milan continue to keep a close eye on the Italy international's movements.

Milan vice-president and CEO Adriano Galliani is a keen admirer of the young attacker, and could opt to make a move for Balotelli if the price is right.

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Balotelli, 21, was sent off during the Blues' loss at Arsenal last month. He was also involved in a sex scandal with a call girl, among other controversies this season.

The Italian forward has scored 13 league goals this season.

No Juve Move for Vidic?

Juvenus have also been linked with Manchester United center back Nemanja Vidic.

Vidic's agent, however, has denied the rumors.

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Silvano Martina said: “Vidic is still out with a cruciate ligament injury.

“A future in Italy? You have to consider that he has a non-EU passport, and that would make it difficult for him to arrive in Serie A.

“I can assure you that I have never spoken with Juventus about Nemanja.”

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Vidic, 30, has missed extended parts of the current season due to a knee injury.

Lavezzi Looking Around?

Elsewhere in Italy, Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi has reportedly fallen out with team president Aurelio de Laurentiis.

That has reportedly alerted Manchester City and Chelsea (who else?).

The Daily Mail reports Napoli want £28 million for Lavezzi, who forms one part of a three-headed Napoli attack with Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik.

Tug-of-War over Wijnaldum?

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly want to sign PSV Eindhoven's Dutch playmaker Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.

But according to Portuguese paper A Bola, other parties are interested.

From talkSPORT:

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PSV playmaker Georginio Wijnaldum is set to be at the centre of a summer transfer battle between Tottenham, Benfica and Inter Milan.

The Dutch international, according to Portuguese paper A Bola, has a £20m release clause and the three top European sides are prepared to pay that after the 21-year-old's impressive season in Eindhoven.

Wijnaldum is a product of the Feyenoord youth system and made a goalscoring debut for Holland last September.

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Wijnaldum, 21, has represented Holland twice at the senior level.

Hodgson Latest

Finally, we end with the latest on newly appointed England manager Roy Hodgson.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Hodgson is targeting Phil Neville and possibly Alan Shearer for his staff.

And according to The Daily Star, Paul Ince has already been approached for a position under Hodgson.