B/R Gossip Roundup: Real Deny Paul Pogba Reports, Mario Balotelli Staying Put
The Raheem Sterling contract saga takes a backseat in this week's edition of the B/R Gossip Roundup. Instead, we bring you the latest updates on other big names such as Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria and Mario Balotelli.
Is Pogba already set for a move to Real Madrid? Will Bayern Munich move for Di Maria? And does Balotelli have any options beside Liverpool this summer?
All those stories and more reside inside this week's roundup. Keep reading for the details.
Real Madrid Forcefully Deny Paul Pogba Reports
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Italian newspaper La Stampa reported (h/t the Guardian) in midweek that Real Madrid had agreed to a deal with Juventus over the transfer of French midfielder Paul Pogba, which Real Madrid quickly denied.
According to the report, the contract would be worth €10 million a season over five years.
Pogba, 22, has been linked extensively with a move away from Juventus this summer, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain mentioned prominently as potential destinations. The report in the Guardian also lists Manchester City as a suitor.
Last October, Pogba extended his Juventus contract until 2019.
Believability Meter: Low
It's almost certainly true that Real Madrid, and others, really are interested in Pogba. The Frenchman is an exceptional talent and seems destined to become one of the world's best players.
But Real took the unusual step of making a direct statement about the rumours. Here is what the club said, per a release:
"Following the reports published in the Italian newspaper La Stampa concerning an alleged offer from Real Madrid for the player Paul Pogba, the club wishes to state the following:
Real Madrid have had no contact either with Juventus or the player's agent and, as a consequence, the reports published in this newspaper are completely false.
"
Pogba could well end up at Real Madrid, but for now, the rumours about a contract appear to be just that: rumours.
Angel Di Maria Might Be Too Expensive Even for Bayern Munich
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Bayern Munich are interested in signing Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria from Manchester United, according to various reports.
At the Daily Mirror, David Anderson claimed that Bayern can offer more for Di Maria than Paris Saint-Germain, who are also interested in the player. United, according to Anderson, want to recoup "most of" the record £59.7 million fee they paid Real Madrid for Di Maria last summer.
The Mirror adds that United are also interested in Wolfsburg's Kevin De Bruyne and Liverpool's Raheem Sterling.
Meanwhile, Eurosport's Maxwell Ward, citing German newspaper Kicker, reports that Bayern and United are already in negotiations over the transfer. According to Kicker, United want to sign Bayern's Bastian Schweinsteiger and Dante.
On Saturday, Andy Kerr of beIN Sports cited sources claiming that Di Maria has handed in a transfer request.
Believability Meter: Medium
With Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben fighting injuries at the end of the season, Bayern's need for a top-class winger was evident. A player of Di Maria's abilities would be welcome at the Allianz Arena.
The issue likely would be his price tag. Even for a club of Bayern's means, Di Maria would be very expensive. Though Bayern have spent big in recent seasons on players like Mario Gotze, an outlay of, say, £59.7 million would be unusual for the Bavarian giants.
Mario Balotelli Staying at Liverpool
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Italian striker Mario Balotelli will not leave Liverpool this summer, according to the player's agent. Speaking to Sky Sports, Mino Raiola said: "We had talks with Liverpool and he will definitely stay."
Balotelli, 24, signed with Liverpool last summer following tempestuous spells with AC Milan, Manchester City and Inter Milan.
"I have spoken at various times to the club and they were happy with his input and professionalism," Raiola added. "Obviously we have to improve the performance but I am really confident that will happen this year."
The player came with a bad-boy reputation, and he scored just once in the Premier League all season.
Believability Meter: High
There is no reason to doubt Raiola's words. At this point, Balotelli has few options, and surely none are better than his current situation.
A few clubs might be interested in the Italian, who has considerable talent. But based on his poor form, he won't earn a move to a side that's any better than Liverpool. Nor is he likely to find a club that will pay him better.
His current situation might not be very good for manager Brendan Rodgers, but Balotelli does not really have anywhere to go.
Ings Choosing Between Spurs, Liverpool
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English striker Danny Ings will leave Burnley this summer and choose between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, according to Mark Ogden at the Daily Telegraph.
Ings, 22, scored 11 Premier League goals this past season for Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight. Ogden reports that Ings favours a move to Liverpool, but he added that Spurs are willing to pay £12 million for the transfer, which is significantly more than the £5 million tribunal fee Liverpool are thought to be ready to pay for the soon-to-be out-of-contract striker.
Manchester United were previously interested but have pulled out of the race, according to the report. Real Sociedad have also made an offer.
Ings will decide before he joins up with England's U21 team for the UEFA European U-21 Championship in June.
Believability Meter: High
With his 11 goals for Burnley, Ings proved he is a Premier League-calibre player, so it's no surprise that he will leave this summer to remain in the top flight.
And this should be an easy choice. At Spurs, Ings' path would be blocked by Harry Kane. Liverpool have nobody on the roster that would prevent Ings from earning plenty of playing time.
Jackson Martinez to Arsenal
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In an exclusive report, Tony Banks at the Daily Express claims that Arsenal are interested in triggering Jackson Martinez's release clause at Porto.
Martinez scored 21 league goals for Porto this past season, adding an impressive seven in the UEFA Champions League. The 28-year-old has represented Colombia 35 times at the senior level, scoring 10 times.
“He’s a player we want to keep, but we cannot stop someone paying the clause," Porto president Nuno Pinto da Costa is quoted as saying. "Jackson went on vacation and so when he returns we will try to renew his deal just like last year.”
According to Banks, Arsenal have opened negotiations with Porto and are prepared to meet his £24.7 million buyout clause.
Believability Meter: Low to Medium
From a playing perspective, it's easy to see why Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would be interested in Martinez. But at 28, and with a reported price tag of £24.7 million, he's not a typical Wenger buy.
Sure, Wenger has spent big in recent seasons on Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, but Ozil, who has been at the club for two seasons now, is still only 26—as is Sanchez.
Liverpool Set to Trigger Christian Benteke Buyout Clause
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Manchester United and Liverpool will compete to sign Belgian striker Christian Benteke from Aston Villa this summer, according to Chris Bascombe at the Daily Telegraph.
Benteke, 24, will be Liverpool's "No. 1 target" in the summer transfer window, according to the report.
Villa manager Tim Sherwood is reportedly hopeful of convincing Benteke to stay and sign an extension. Benteke currently makes £50,000 per week.
Meanwhile, Bascombe's Daily Telegraph colleague John Percy reports that Benteke's buyout clause stands at £32.5 million.
Believability Meter: High
The buyout clause was confirmed by a direct quote from Sherwood in Percy's article, but Sherwood has said he doesn't know what the figure is.
Benteke, who scored 13 Premier League goals this past season, is probably Villa's most valuable asset currently, so it would make sense if the buyout clause is as high as £32.5 million.
Liverpool and United, meanwhile, are both in need of strikers, so their interest would make sense as well.
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