B/R Gossip Roundup: Iker Casillas, David De Gea and Hugo Lloris Set for Moves?
Goalkeepers often find themselves at the fringes of football stardom—stars in their own right but not nearly as celebrated as many of their outfield counterparts. Not so this week in the B/R Gossip Roundup.
Headlining the latest batch of rumours are some of Europe's best shot-stoppers, respected players who might be on the move this summer. Could Iker Casillas really leave Real? Will David De Gea be his replacement? And what will Manchester United do if De Gea leaves?
All those questions and more await in the following slides.
Stevan Jovetic Link Flies in Face of Brendan Rodgers Words at Liverpool
1 of 6
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers created a bit of a stir in his pre-match press conference ahead of the 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion.
Rodgers claimed that he needed a striker who was going to play at a top level every week, as Andy Hunter of the Guardian reported, which prompted speculation over the future of Daniel Sturridge.
The newspapers were being a little mischievous in questioning whether Sturridge had a future with the Reds, but there can be little doubt his injury problems this season have hurt Liverpool.
Therefore, one of Rodgers' reported summer transfer targets makes little sense, considering his comments about needing a fit forward next year.
Steve Morgan and Steve Millar of the Daily Star claimed that Rodgers is mulling over a move for Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic.
The Montenegro international is, without doubt, a talented player and proved himself on a regular basis during his time in Serie A with Fiorentina.
The article cites Rodgers' interest in the forward before he joined City as basis for the link, but his injury woes at the Etihad Stadium have left the 25-year-old on the sidelines throughout his two years with the club.
Indeed, City manager Manuel Pellegrini indicated where Jovetic sat in his plans when he omitted him for his Champions League squad for the knockout stages earlier in the year.
The Star story cites a £16 million fee for Jovetic, but if the Reds boss is looking for a striker who will spend more time on the pitch than in the treatment room, the Montenegrin might not be the right target.
Believability Meter: Low
Jovetic is a genuine talent and would be a good addition for Liverpool. But can Rodgers really afford to gamble on a player with a history of injury problems?
Premier League Interest in Gareth Bale Unlikely to Succeed This Summer
2 of 6
After a wondrous first season with Real Madrid, this year has been somewhat disappointing for Gareth Bale.
The Wales international has found himself on the end of criticism from some supporters, while Cristiano Ronaldo infamously berated him for having the temerity to score instead of pass to the Portuguese in a game against Levante in March.
Who could really blame Bale if he wanted a return to the England, where he served Tottenham Hotspur so well before his world-record move to the Bernabeu in 2013?
Certainly not Rob Shepherd of the Mail On Sunday, who has reported that the Liga giants are considering a £75 million sale, alerting Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
It is no surprise that those three names are linked with the transfer, given they're the only Premier League clubs who could conceivably afford that fee, but do Real really want to cash in on the Welshman already?
Spanish football expert and Bleacher Report columnist Guillem Balague told Sky Sports in January that neither the club nor the player want his exit in the summer.
And Bernabeu legend Zinedine Zidane maintained earlier this month that Bale was going nowhere, as Luke Augustus of the Daily Mail reported:
"Real Madrid buy the best players in the world. They don't sell them.
Of course other clubs will be interested in him [Bale], he would improve any squad in the world, but the president has said he is not for sale and that is because he is not for sale.
That will be the answer to Manchester United or any other club that asks the question.
He was a big part of our success last season especially in the Champions League, and as we look to defend our title I am sure he will play a successful part again.
"
The former France international seems adamant that Bale won't be sold, but it is unlikely to stop the speculation over the future of the 25-year-old.
However, there seems to be little suggestion in the Spanish media that Bale will be going anywhere this summer.
Believability Meter: Medium
Bale has had a rocky time with Real Madrid this season, but his work in his first campaign in Madrid must surely be enough to convince Los Blancos he is worth keeping.
However, the question over Bale's future is likely to be decided by the player and whether he wants to stay at the Bernabeu. Don't expect either him or the club to quit so easily, especially if the club is subject to a transfer ban, reported the Guardian.
Adnan Januzaj Loan to Everton Makes Sense for All
3 of 6
The writing has been on the wall for Adnan Januzaj at Manchester United all season, hasn't it?
After proving to be the silver lining of United's poor campaign under David Moyes, the midfielder has found his first-team opportunities seriously limited under Louis van Gaal.
As such, it should came as no surprise to see the 20-year-old being linked with a summer move.
According to The Sun, that pre-season switch could be a season-long loan to United's Premier League rivals Everton.
Blues manager Roberto Martinez has used the loan system to great effect in his two years at the club, with Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and Aaron Lennon all receiving a new lease of life with the Toffees.
The article also claims that the deal could end with a permanent switch to Goodison Park, which is exactly the same route Lukaku and Barry have taken, while few people do not expect Lennon to follow suit.
Januzaj is the kind of mobile player Martinez would welcome at Everton, and the move would also mean invaluable match experience for Januzaj.
Though Van Gaal may not appear keen on the player, his club are too shrewd to allow a young talent to leave without a fee.
If Januzaj proves himself at Goodison Park, all parties are likely to reap the dividends.
Believability Meter: High
Januzaj has suffered a roller-coaster time with the Red Devils, going from the next big thing to the substitutes' bench.
But now is the time for the Belgium-born star to make his mark away from Old Trafford, and Everton's style of play is an obvious fit.
Iker Casillas Could Be Good Move for Arsenal Despite Real Madrid Legend's Age
4 of 6
An old transfer link resurfaced this week, as The Sun mooted a potential link-up between Iker Casillas and Arsenal next season.
The article claims that the switch could see Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea joining Real in the summer, but that story is for another day.
Instead, it is the prospect of the Real Madrid legend coming to the Emirates Stadium that should interest Gunners supporters.
At 33, Casillas is in the autumn of his career, but his experience and ability cannot be doubted as possible plus points for Arsene Wenger.
The Arsenal manager has chopped and changed between Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina this season, with neither goalkeeper really seizing his opportunity.
Spain international Casillas previously acknowledged Arsenal's interest while confirming his desire to try his luck abroad, as Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail reported in October 2014.
While Casillas might have had the occasional slip this season with Los Blancos, he still possesses a wealth of experience that could be handy at Arsenal, where replacing David Seaman has remained an issue since he left the club in 2003.
That is a long time for a leading club to be without a standout No. 1. Casillas could at least offer a return to a steadfast option for a short while.
Believability Meter: Medium
This is an interesting option for both Arsenal and Casillas. The Real Madrid legend's time at the Bernabeu appears to be up, with the rumours of De Gea joining the club continuing to build.
But the Gunners should be in the market for a quality No. 1, and the 33-year-old Spain stopper could be that man.
Hugo Lloris Could Fit as David De Gea Replacement at Manchester United
5 of 6
Manchester United are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris if current No. 1 David De Gea departs for Real Madrid this summer, according to Miguel Delaney at ESPN FC.
United want to keep De Gea, according to the report, but the Spaniard has still not signed a new contract with the club. Delaney writes that Lloris, 28, is open to the move, adding that the goalkeeper wants to play UEFA Champions League football.
Believability Meter: High
Real Madrid have denied reports that they are facing a potential transfer ban this summer, per the Guardian, but the possibility remains that the Spanish giants might not be able to sign De Gea. Widespread reports have linked Real with De Gea for some time now, including the Daily Mirror in December of last year and the Mail Online this January.
If De Gea does leave, United will be in the market for a top-class replacement. Lloris fits the bill, and if United are playing Champions League football, a move away from Tottenham would make sense for the Frenchman.
FFP Might Limit PSG in Pursuit of Angel Di Maria or Paul Pogba
6 of 6
David McDonnell at the Daily Mirror reports that Paris Saint-Germain want to sign Argentina winger Angel Di Maria from Manchester United.
Di Maria, 27, joined United from Real Madrid last year for a British record £59.7 million fee, per the club's official website. Though he been inconsistent this season, Di Maria has recorded 10 assists in the Premier League. Only Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas (17) has collected more.
According to McDonnell's report, PSG wanted to sign Di Maria last year but were unable to do so because of financial fair play regulations.
Believability Meter: Low
United set a British record when they spent almost £60 million on Di Maria. Even though the player has not reached top form consistently in his debut season in England, the Red Devils are unlikely to give up on him so quickly.
And what of those financial fair play regulations that hampered PSG last summer? Goal has reported that PSG are set to sign France midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus for £58 million. If the French giants were to sign one of Di Maria or Pogba this summer, they would have to sell a number of other players in order to balance the books.
Could they really afford to sign both without dismantling their existing squad?
