B/R Gossip Roundup: David De Gea Saying Farewell, Raheem Sterling Latest
Parting is such sweet sorrow, even for elite goalkeepers.
If the latest reports are to be believed, David De Gea has started saying goodbye to his Manchester United team-mates ahead of a move to Real Madrid. That's just one of the stories we have in store for you in this weekend's edition of the B/R Gossip Roundup.
Inside, we have updates on Raheem Sterling, Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa and more. Keep reading for all of the details.
David De Gea Saying His Manchester United Goodbyes
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Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has begun saying goodbye to his team-mates ahead of a move to Real Madrid, according to Marca.
De Gea, 24, is currently on international duty but is apparently set to leave the Premier League club after four seasons in Manchester.
Per the Daily Mail, the Spaniard has been linked with Real Madrid for months, with reports from England and Spain indicating he wishes to return to his homeland.
Believability Meter: High
It's little secret that Marca is closely tied to Real Madrid, so reports of this nature would seem to indicate a move is both likely and imminent.
In addition, a move to Real makes perfect sense for De Gea, who is a rising star in world football and one of the best young goalkeepers in the game. He is a natural successor to the ageing Iker Casillas.
Raheem Sterling Latest
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The bidding for Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling appears to be underway.
According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester City have lodged a £30 million bid for the 20-year-old. Of that total, £25 million would change hands up front, with the remaining £5 million coming later as add-ons. Per the report, the offer was made verbally.
The Mirror also reports that Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid are also interested in Sterling, who has made it clear he wants a move away from Liverpool this summer.
Elsewhere, BBC Sport reports that new Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez—a former Liverpool boss—"admires" Sterling. Sky Sports, meanwhile, cite sources that claim Liverpool will not sell.
Believability Meter: High
At this point, it's obvious that Sterling wants to leave Liverpool. He has rejected a contract offer worth £100,000 per week and has seemingly alienated many of those associated with the club.
It's not clear where he will end up—and Liverpool might refuse to sell—but it is clear that several teams are interested and are making that interest known.
Chelsea Should Be Cautious with Radamel Falcao
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Radamel Falcao has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Chelsea, according to Nicolas Godden at the Daily Mail.
Falcao, 29, spent last season on loan at Manchester United from AS Monaco. The Colombian scored just four goals in 26 Premier League appearances, and United opted not to make the move permanent.
Citing an interview with the player in El Tiempo, the Mail reports that Falcao would prefer to return to the Premier League. Monaco reportedly want £25 million for the Colombia international striker.
"I know it has been speculated very much about Chelsea," Falcao is quoted as saying. "I try to stay out of it. I care about working with Colombia for now. That's what my agent does."
He added: "I would like to continue in the Premier League. My future will be decided in the coming weeks."
Zenit Saint Petersburg are also interested in signing Falcao, according to the report.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
If Falcao says he wants to remain in the Premier League, we should take him at his word. And why wouldn't he want to play for Chelsea, the Premier League champions?
The question, however, is whether Chelsea want him. Falcao has not recovered his form since suffering a serious knee injury during the 2013-14 season, and at £25 million, he might be too much of a gamble based on his recent performances.
But at a lower price, Falcao could yet be a good signing, assuming he eventually regains his best form.
Manchester United Would Be Sensible Option for Dani Alves, but Will He Leave?
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Manchester United believe they are the favourites to sign Dani Alves from Barcelona this summer, should manager Louis van Gaal wish to sign the Brazilian right-back, according to Jamie Jackson at the Guardian.
Alves, 32, will become a free agent this summer, with his contract at Barcelona expiring. Barcelona are currently facing a transfer ban, so signing a replacement to come in and play immediately would be impossible. Jackson points out that Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc thinks Alves will remain with Barca but reports that United believe "this is simply because Alves does not wish to join PSG."
United could "comfortably" pay Alves' current salary of £120,00 per week, according to Jackson.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
Alves, who remains a world-class player at 32, would be a great signing for United. And since United will be back in the UEFA Champions League next year, the club is an attractive option for Alves.
However, instead of noting that United could sign Alves if Van Gaal is interested, perhaps Jackson should have written that it all depends on the player himself.
Alves recently blasted Barcelona for a "lack of respect" in his contract negotiations, per Euclides Montes at the Guardian. But this is likely because Alves knows that Barca cannot sign new players this summer and thus wants a better contract offer. The player holds all the power against the club, which has no suitable alternative at present, and he could simply be posturing for more money.
Blanc seems to realise this. According to Rob Dawson at the Manchester Evening News, Blanc has said: "Alves’ contract with Barcelona is ending and he wants to renew with them. At the end of the day, this is all a game."
In other words, Blanc thinks Alves is using the interest from other clubs as leverage for a better deal. So despite the fact that Alves is set to become a free agent, he could still remain with Barcelona if contract talks improve.
Then again, if he does leave, United would be a sensible option.
Diego Costa Homesick Rumours Emerge
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Diego Costa is "homesick" for Spain and wants to return to Atletico Madrid, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
Costa, 26, joined Chelsea from Atletico last summer and played a key role in the Blues' Premier League title campaign, scoring 20 goals in 26 appearances. But according to Marca, the Brazil-born Spain international does not want to stay London and is unhappy with the English climate, language and food.
According to the report, Costa is willing to accept a lower salary at Atletico than what he currently earns at Chelsea.
Believability Meter: Low
Considering Costa's importance to the team, Chelsea are highly unlikely to let him go. The striker was instrumental in the Blues' early-season run, which saw them establish a big lead atop the table. Why let him go now after only one season?
Marca seems to understand this, providing a curious postscript to their report.
"But there is another problem in that Chelsea's intentions, and those of their owner Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho, are not to let their star forward go. Mourinho knows he has a treasure in his hands, and, injuries apart, his performances will get even better."
It's almost as if Marca knows Costa won't be going anywhere this summer but still wanted to report on his homesickness anyway.
Blues manager Jose Mourinho responded to the rumour, telling the Associated Press (h/t ESPN FC): "He's the happiest guy in the dressing room, so if this is unhappiness, I'm happy with that."
Though it's feasible Costa could be homesick, it's almost certain he will remain with Chelsea next season.
Arsenal Want Kondogbia
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Arsenal are readying a £25 million bid for Monaco defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, according to the Daily Mirror's Darren Lewis.
Kondogbia, 22, played a starring role when Monaco eliminated Arsenal from the UEFA Champions League round of 16 this past season, and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to make a move to bolster his midfield. The France international joined from Sevilla in 2013 and has three years left on his contract.
B/R's Allan Jiang has argued that Kondogbia would be a fine signing for the Gunners:
"Kondogbia is a midfielder with world-class potential, averaging 3.1 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game.
He is a reliable passer and offers a big physical presence.
Signing Kondogbia would be a statement of intent from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
"
Lewis notes that Wenger is also interested in Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin in his search for another defensive-minded midfielder.
Believability Meter: High
This story has found its way into multiple news sources, though, the monetary figures are not always the same. According to the Daily Telegraph, Arsenal have already offered Monaco £18.2 million for Kondogbia.
If Arsenal are serious about signing the Frenchman, they might have to raise their offer. But it seems clear that the Gunners are interested.
