B/R Gossip Roundup: Torres Back in Focus, Bale-Bid Talk and More
Another week, another round of transfer gossip to pick the bones out of.
In the past seven days we have seen talk of players coming and going from Liverpool, David Moyes raiding former club Manchester United for Adnan Januzaj and Real Madrid's Gareth Bale swapping the Bernabeu for Old Trafford.
Let's take a closer look at the rumours that have hit the headlines this week.
Barcelona Forward Munir El Haddadi Would Be Sensational Loan Move for Arsenal
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The name of Munir El Haddadi came to prominence for Barcelona supporters in pre-season, as he scored twice in a 6-0 friendly win over HJK Helsinki in Finland.
After leaving Lionel Messi and Neymar at home for that game, Luis Enrique gave Munir and Rafinha a chance to impress. They didn't disappoint.
Munir then went on to score on his full Barcelona debut before earning a first full cap for Spain in a heady opening few weeks to the season.
Now, though, David Wright of the Daily Express is reporting that Munir is looking for a temporary move in January to maintain his sharpness.
The 19-year-old produced some sterling displays for Luis Enrique in the opening weeks of the Primera Liga season, as the club waited for Luis Suarez's ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup to end.
Starting with the triumvirate of Messi, Neymar and Suarez was always going to at the forefront of Enrique's mind after the Uruguay international joined from Liverpool in the summer.
But Munir gave Luis Enrique some food for thought with some fine performances in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Suarez appears to be finding his feet at Camp Nou after some unconvincing displays, but the presence of Munir waiting on the sidelines should be enough to keep even Messi on his toes.
The 19-year-old, though, needs game time to continue his development, and a loan move to Arsenal could provide a welcome boost for all parties.
Believability Meter: Medium
This would a good move all round if it came to fruition next month, but much will depend on Barcelona's needs.
Neymar's recent injury and Suarez's lack of goals underlines the importance of competition in Luis Enrique's squad. The move could be scuppered if one member of the superstar trio suffered an injury before the end of January.
But it would be a tremendous fillip for Arsenal if Arsene Wenger could convince the teenager to play the second half of the season at the Emirates.
MLS an Intriguing Alternative, but Liverpool Stay Is Steven Gerrard's Preference
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Steven Gerrard will be hurting more than most about the current malaise at Liverpool.
Just seven months after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title, the Reds have already fallen well off the pace this season and found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat to archrivals Manchester United last weekend.
On the same day, Gerrard, whose current deal at Anfield ends in the summer, was linked with a move to the New York Red Bulls by Jason Burt of The Sunday Telegraph.
Burt cites the presence of former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier—who is head of global soccer for the Red Bull brand—for the link, but concedes that the move will only happen if Gerrard does not agree a new contract with the Merseyside club.
New York are looking for a new high-profile figure in the wake of Thierry Henry's decision to retire, and Gerrard, 34, features highly on a "discovery list."
The Sunday Telegraph article also notes a contract offer is on the table for the 34-year-old at Anfield, and Gerrard is now mulling over his options.
However, 16 years after making his first-team debut at Liverpool and being at the heart of the club's successes during that period, it is unlikely the former England midfielder will sever his ties without sound judgement and good reason.
Gerrard's former international team-mate Frank Lampard has already signed up for New York City FC, although his form on loan at Manchester City has put the date of his MLS debut in some doubt.
But Chelsea did not offer their veteran midfielder a new contract, which is a crucial difference between the two players.
Gerrard will have staying at Liverpool uppermost in his mind, but the Red Bulls and MLS football could prove a useful option if he cannot agree on or is not offered terms by his current employers.
Believability Meter: High
The ingredients to this story point to it being very believable. Gerrard's link with Houllier is strong, and he does have a decision to make at Liverpool.
But we suspect staying at Anfield will be the Reds captain's priority.
David Moyes Can Help Manchester United with Adnan Januzaj Loan at Real Sociedad
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If there was one bright spot in a frustrating season for Manchester United last year, it was the emergence of Adnan Januzaj.
David Moyes' time at Old Trafford produced some calamitous results and ended with the Red Devils missing out on the Champions League and European football altogether this season.
But Januzaj, who was handed his first-team chance by the former Old Trafford boss, shone as a beacon of hope in the midst of some turgid displays from those around him.
The 19-year-old has not made the same impact on the United first team under Louis van Gaal, but the Dutchman knows the importance of restoring the club to the Champions League. But in his efforts to get a major force in the English game back into Europe, he has little room for experimentation.
However, that is not to say Van Gaal has dismissed Januzaj as a future star at the club. Far from it.
According to Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star, Van Gaal is looking to temporarily move the midfielder to another club to give him more first-team opportunities.
Among the clubs mentioned in the article, the name of Real Sociedad stands out, with Moyes currently at the helm in San Sebastian—his first managerial role since being sacked by United in April.
The Scot granted Januzaj his first-team debut at United last season, and the player benefited from the experience.
The Real Sociedad boss has shown his belief in Januzaj at Old Trafford and recognises the potential of the player.
For his part, Januzaj would be gaining the first-team experience Van Gaal wants him to have and will also get confidence from working under a manager who believes in him.
Believability Meter: High
The parts to this loan link all fit together perfectly. Moyes knows Januzaj, and Januzaj knows Moyes. As a result, Van Gaal will also know the teenager is getting valuable experience.
Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard, Raheem Sterling Triangle Too Convoluted for Fruition
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That Gareth Bale-Manchester United link really isn't going away, is it?
This week, Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star stoked the fires on the transfer speculation involving the Wales international and Old Trafford once more.
But this time, rather than a straightforward cash-for-player deal, the Star article notes a number of potential dominoes falling to set the deal in motion.
According to Turrell, United are poised to make a £90 million offer to Real Madrid for Bale. The Bernabeu club would then use the cash to finance moves for Eden Hazard of Chelsea and Liverpool's Raheem Sterling.
That all makes sense up to now, but delving a little deeper reveals the flaw in the suggestion.
It is understandable United would want a talent such as Bale, who, at 25, still has potential for the future, but does the former Tottenham forward want to leave the Bernabeu and do Real really want him to leave?
That part seems unlikely, with Bale still proving to be a vital component in Carlo Ancelotti's team as they chase the Primera Liga title and defend the Champions League.
And then there are the other two players cited in this transfer equation. Is Jose Mourinho likely to allow Hazard to leave Chelsea for one of his European rivals?
With Sterling, Real might have a better chance of signing the player, but much will depend on how the remainder of the season goes for Liverpool and the winger.
There would also have to be some kind of encouragement from Chelsea and Liverpool that a deal for either could happen for Los Blancos to even consider letting Bale leave.
This rumour seems a little too implausible as it stands, but don't expect that to stop further speculation over the Welshman's future.
Believability Meter: Low
There are just too many ifs and buts here to make you think twice. The Star cites "reports from France" for the question mark over Bale's future at Real Madrid, which doesn't give much credence to this rather convoluted transfer suggestion.
Real Madrid Unlikely to Move for David de Gea?
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Real Madrid want to sign Spain international goalkeeper David de Gea from Manchester United, according to Jamie Anderson of the Daily Express.
According to Anderson, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti is "unconvinced" by No. 1 goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The report speculates that Madrid could be willing to pay a new world-record transfer fee for a goalkeeper.
As noted in the report, De Gea has a contract with Manchester United until summer 2016.
De Gea has earned plaudits for his performances in goal for Manchester United of late, with former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore calling De Gea "the best goalkeeper in the world right now on form."
But as B/R transfers correspondent Allan Jiang recently noted, Casillas has saved two crucial penalties in the past week. In addition, Real Madrid have an accomplished understudy in Keylor Navas.
Believability Meter: Medium
It's true that Real Madrid don't necessarily need another goalkeeper at the moment, but that might not matter.
Think back to the summer of 2014, when Real signed James Rodriguez from Monaco. The Blancos did not necessarily need another attacking player, but they spent an eye-popping amount of money to sign the outstanding Colombian anyway.
Real Madrid have earned a reputation as tough negotiators. In other words, Real usually get their man. If Real Madrid really do want De Gea, there's a good chance they'll sign him.
So do Real Madrid really want De Gea? And if so, how long are they willing to wait for him?
Liverpool Move Has Feel of Last-Chance Saloon for Fernando Torres
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Liverpool are well and truly in the transfer spotlight, which is hardly surprising in light of their struggles this season.
Champions League football is now a distant memory, and they are so far off the pace in the Premier League their only real hope of returning to Europe's elite club competition next season is to win the Europa League.
To do that, though, Liverpool are likely to need to add to their ranks in January.
There has been plenty of talk about who Reds boss Brendan Rodgers might target in January.
A name that cropped up this week is Fernando Torres. Rob Shepherd of the Mail claims the Reds are “seriously considering a January move” for the forward.
Torres is currently on loan at AC Milan from Chelsea, but widespread reports have suggested that the Italian side are keen to cut short the deal.
If that happens, there is little prospect of him making a playing return to Chelsea. Liverpool, though, could be an option.
Liverpool have looked desperately poor in attack this term, with summer signings Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert failing to deliver regular goals.
Replacing Luis Suarez was never likely to be easy, but Lambert and Balotelli have not delivered the goods and Rodgers' team needs some fresh impetus.
Daniel Sturridge’s season has been ravaged by injury, which means the Reds need another option.
Torres would be a low-risk option. If a deal can be done, the Reds will only be taking on his wages—a sizeable sum, admittedly—but the loan move would mean no transfer fee.
There is a fear that if they were to re-sign Torres, the Reds would be taking on another forward who won’t be able to deliver. Judging by Torres’ goal return in recent seasons, that is a possibility.
Torres, though, was a huge favourite with the Liverpool fans during his spell at the club earlier in his career. A return to Anfield could be just be the spark that reignites the fire.
Believability Meter: Medium
A lot of pieces need to fall into place for this move to happen, but it does have the look of a deal that would suit all parties.
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