B/R Gossip Roundup: Harry Kane, Marco Reus Going Nowhere, Lloris Set for Man Utd
The transfer window might now be closed until the summer, but the speculation continues apace in the media.
Marco Reus, Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane were among the notable names to feature in the gossip columns this week.
Let's take a closer look at this week's biggest transfer rumours.
Manchester United Move Too Big a Chance for Spurs Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris
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The transfer window is regularly defined by a domino effect that sees one move trigger another, and David Wright of the Daily Express set up one for the summer this week.
According to Wright, Manchester United are poised to make a £25 million move for Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris if David de Gea moves to Real Madrid.
It does not take a tremendous leap of faith to see why the Red Devils are exploring their options should the Spain international return to his hometown.
With Iker Casillas approaching the end of his career, De Gea has already featured prominently as Los Blancos' priority target as a replacement, as Wright notes in his article.
But the potential signing of Lloris in his place would certainly satisfy the concerns of the Old Trafford club's supporters over losing De Gea.
The France international has been a tremendous signing for Spurs since joining the club in August 2012, maintaining his consistency throughout his time at the club, as recorded by WhoScored.com.
Lloris signed a new five-year contract at White Hart Lane last summer, but a lack of Champions League football with the north London club must leave a question mark over his desire to see out that deal.
United, of course, do not have participation in next year's edition of UEFA's elite club tournament sealed, but their trajectory and status would give Lloris a real dilemma to ponder at the end of the current Premier League season.
Believability Meter: High
The makings of this rumour look fairly reliable, with De Gea seemingly set for an Old Trafford exit in the summer and Lloris being one of the most consistent goalkeepers in Europe.
This rumour will not be going away any time soon.
Raphael Varane Link with Chelsea Dependent on Real Madrid Form
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Seeing Jose Mourinho linked with a move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane should come as little surprise to anyone.
The Chelsea manager has been a long-standing admirer of the young Frenchman for some time and was quoted in a Yahoo column (via Sky Sports) almost a year ago as saying:
"I think he is the best young central defender in the world. Already I think he's the best.
A young player must be somebody who plays in the World Cup for the first time.
These are players like Hazard, Neymar and Rafa Varane. Maybe I forget some others.
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So when Tony Banks of the Daily Express reported that a potential summer bid of £35 million for Varane was to be made by the Stamford Bridge boss, we nodded our heads approvingly.
Mourinho, of course, has put his money where his mouth is on Varane previously after Real Madrid shelled out €10 million to Lens for the 21-year-old in 2011. That was some statement by the head coach.
Varane has since gone on to play at a World Cup with France, and he impressed in Brazil last summer alongside Mamadou Sakho.
In the absence of the injured Sergio Ramos at the Bernabeu, Varane has been handed a chance to impress for Los Blancos.
After a four-goal demolition at the hands of Atletico Madrid, Varane will have a point to prove to Real, but there may well be eyes in west London watching how he recovers from that for the future.
Believability Meter: Medium
Mourinho's public praise for Varane would vindicate there is a link with the Real Madrid defender, but the remainder of the Liga season could decide whether the move takes place.
Time Is Right for West Ham to Make Javier Hernandez Move
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The future career of Javier Hernandez at Manchester United has not looked secure for some time now, and even his loan switch to Real Madrid has failed to take off.
And according to Marc Williams of the Daily Star, West Ham United are considering a move for the Mexico international in the summer.
Williams cites Spanish newspaper AS for the story, claiming that the 26-year-old will be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford when he returns from the Bernabeu at the end of the season.
Hernandez earned a cult status with United supporters following his move to the club from Guadalajara in 2010, but his temporary switch to Real Madrid appeared to underline suggestions that his days with the Red Devils are numbered.
This season, the striker might have etched the name Real Madrid onto his CV, but the reality is that just three starts in all competitions for Los Blancos, according to WhoScored.com, does not signify a potential permanent switch.
Hernandez has 18 months remaining on his current United contract, which could see Louis van Gaal tempted into moving the player on for a fee rather than risk missing out on additional funds.
West Ham failed in their bid to become the team to resurrect Darren Fletcher's career in January, when the United midfielder moved to West Bromwich Albion, but they could prove to be the ideal destination for his former team-mate.
Believability Meter: Medium
This rumour appears to add up, with Sam Allardyce looking to bolster his squad following a good season for the Hammers so far.
Neither United nor Real Madrid appear to have long-term plans for Hernandez, and the forward will need to find regular game time soon to ensure his place in the Mexico squad.
Marco Reus Unlikely to Leave Dortmund After New Deal Despite Ongoing Rumours
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It has already been quite some season for Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Marco Reus.
From a serious ankle injury that kept him out for three months through to the new contract he signed at the Westfalenstadion club this week, the Germany international has rarely been out of the headlines.
But it has been the persistence of transfer rumours swirling around the 25-year-old that have grabbed the attention most.
Dortmund head coach Jurgen Klopp this week claimed that Reus was given a round of applause by his team-mates after signing his new deal, reported by ESPN FC, but that did not stop the speculation.
According to Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, Manchester United could attempt to prise Reus from Dortmund with a £50 million offer.
Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror reports that Dortmund, who have struggled in the Bundesliga this season, are hoping Reus will become a club legend along the same lines as Steven Gerrard at Liverpool.
Reus remains a player United should covet, but he is a footballer the majority of Europe would also want to add to their ranks.
However, there seems to be something different in Reus to players who have previously signed big contracts and moved on swiftly after, such as Luis Suarez, who penned a new deal at Liverpool just months before moving to Barcelona last summer.
And the words of Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc echo that thought, with BVB's official website (h/t Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express) reporting the club executive as saying:
"Marco Reus could change the world at almost every top club.
He has shown that his heart beats for his hometown and his hometown club with this decision.
He is a very important component for the Borussia Dortmund's sporting future.
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Reus' commitment to Dortmund will come as a boost to the club and its supporters, but we don't see the transfer rumours ending just yet.
Believability Meter: Low
The more Reus plays, the more virulent the rumours of a possible switch to a major European power become.
But the Dortmund star appears happy with his decision, and that is how it will remain. For the moment at least.
Harry Kane Not Prepared to Leave Tottenham Any Time Soon
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Real Madrid are interested in Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane, according to Tom Collomosse at the London Evening Standard.
According to the report, Real have sent scouts to watch Kane play three times this season. Collomosse indicates that the Spanish giants are monitoring Kane's progress, even though Kane has recently signed a new five-year contract. Per the report, Real do not have "immediate plans" to move for the 21-year-old.
Believability Meter: Low
At this point in his career, Kane should stay at Tottenham in order to develop. And there is no reason to believe he will leave any time soon. According to Charles Perrin at the Daily Express, Kane said he would not sign for Manchester United if the Red Devils offered him a contract.
In addition, as already noted, the Standard's report indicates that Real Madrid are not interested in moving for Kane now. While a move might materialise at some point in the future, depending on how Kane develops, that's too little to go on for now.
In other words, for now, this is nothing for Spurs supporters to worry about.
Danny Ings Should Remain Focused on Premier League Future
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With his contract up in the summer, Danny Ings remains one of the most sought-after players in English football right now.
Linked with Liverpool at the end of the January transfer window, it is David Moyes' Real Sociedad that are currently front-runners for his signature—partly because only overseas clubs can currently discuss terms with the England under-21 international.
On Sunday, the Daily Star reported:
"Burnley star Danny Ings is flying to Spain today to hold talks with former Manchester United boss David Moyes over a possible move to Real Sociedad.
The ex-Everton manager is said to be a huge fan of the Burnley striker, and according to The Sun, Ings will fly to Spain to discuss a summer move.
Moyes became Sociedad boss in November 2014 after his torrid spell as United manager and, now he is settled, is looking to improve his squad in Spain.
The news will rock Liverpool who have been heavily linked with a move for the 22-year-old.
Several people close to the Reds have told boss Brendan Rodgers to try a summer swoop for Ings.
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FIFA rules may influence Ings' decision. English clubs will have to pay a transfer fee for Ings, quite possibly set by tribunal, if they sign him at the end of his contract—with speculation suggesting the fee will be in the mid seven-figure range.
Overseas clubs, however, only have to pay a set sum based on how long the player has been at his previous club—meaning that, in the case of Ings, Real Sociedad may not even pay £1 million for his services.
That is why Moyes could offer Ings a bumper pay packet, with The Sun suggesting that Ings could be offered £60,000 a week and a sizeable percentage of any fee he commands if he is sold in the future. That is almost certainly a better package then any Premier League side could offer him.
Believability Meter: Medium
The mere fact Ings would fly to San Sebastian, on a rare weekend off, to discuss details with La Real indicates he has a certain interest in the move, if only for the financial incentives involved.
It would not necessarily be a bad move for Ings, enabling him to expand his footballing education in a new environment, although whether a David Moyes side would be the best environment for his talents is open to debate.
If he wants to become an England international, however, he perhaps needs to continue playing in the Premier League, which means waiting until the end of the season and hoping he receives a number of interesting offers from clubs at the top end of the table.
That would seem possible, if not guaranteed, so ultimately, it will come down to how patient Ings can be and whether the money and climate on offer in Spain appeal to him more than establishing himself as a Premier League star.
Romelu Lukaku a Long Way from Returning to Chelsea Level
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Romelu Lukaku created a few headlines this week after suggesting that he hopes to soon return to a club of Chelsea's stature following Everton's loss to his old club on Wednesday.
By Sunday, that comment had morphed into rampant speculation, with the Daily Mail claiming both Tottenham and West Ham were interested in the player:
"West Ham and Tottenham are set to lock horns in the summer pursuit of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku hinted strongly last week that he was ready to quit Goodison Park just one season after his £28million summer move from Chelsea.
He even suggested he would like to return to the Blues. That won't happen.
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How either club qualifies as being in the same bracket as Chelsea remains to be seen, but what is undeniable is that the media now believes Lukaku could be on the move in the summer.
Believability Meter: Low
This season has undoubtedly been a disappointing one for Everton, leading to a number of players expressing their disappointment and dissatisfaction. But it is barely six months since the Toffees spent the best part of £30 million on the Belgium striker, and they are unlikely to let him go a year on unless a sizeable profit can be made on that investment.
No sensible club is going to offer more than that for a striker who has underwhelmed along with his team, however, so Lukaku may have to stay put for now. That is if Lukaku even wants to leave; his comments, while perhaps ill-advised, were not utterly unreasonable, and perhaps indicated an entirely justifiable long-term ambition to play for the biggest club possible.
