B/R Gossip Roundup: Edinson Cavani, Neymar and David De Gea
Edinson Cavani pursued by Arsenal, Neymar an outlandish target for Manchester United and David De Gea finally on his way to Real Madrid—the last week has not disappointed in its big-name transfer chatter.
We try to separate fact from fiction as we take a look at these stories over the following pages while also bringing you the latest speculation concerning Julian Draxler, Virgil van Dijk, Ezequiel Garay and more.
Not long now, folks, until the summer transfer window slams shut and trading ceases until January 1. Read on for this week's B/R Gossip Roundup!
Arsenal Gunning for Edinson Cavani
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Arsenal would like to sign Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani, according to the Mirror's John Cross.
Or, as Cross put it, "Arsene Wenger is on red alert for a stunning move for Edinson Cavani."
The north London club has been linked with Real Madrid's Karim Benzema for much of the summer—a rumour that was laid to rest when the striker recently took to Twitter and appeared to announce his intention to remain at the Bernabeu.
Just hours later, Cavani-to-Arsenal gossip started to surface and not for the first time—last January also saw the Uruguayan linked with a move to the club by Ben Jefferson of the Express.
The 28-year-old signed for PSG from Napoli in summer 2013. He has since scored 57 goals in 99 games in all competitions since and won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles during his time at Parc des Princes.
So far, Arsenal have made just one signing in the current transfer window, £10 million goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Believability Meter: Low
While it’s true Arsenal could do with another striker alongside Olivier Giroud, there’s every chance Cech will remain Wenger’s only signing of summer 2015.
Short on substance, the Cavani rumours feel very far-fetched and, in Cross’ Mirror article, this particular sentence is worth paying attention to: “Paris Saint Germain do not want to sell Cavani but doubts about his future remain and his name is suddenly being bandied around in the market.”
PSG don't want to sell, you say? And to our understanding, Arsenal have not given any indication they really want to buy Cavani.
Let's move on.
Neymar Open to Manchester United Move?
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Manchester United have been linked with Barcelona's Neymar, with the Brazilian said to be "open to a move."
The Premier League side would be willing to pay as much as £240 million for the 23-year-old's signature, as reported by Shaun Custis of the Sun.
The Sun's exclusive was preceded by Jamie Jackson in the Guardian, who wrote:
"Neymar is open to moving to Manchester United from Barcelona, though there is a recognition the transfer is unlikely to occur before the current window closes.
United are attempting to land the Brazilian before 1 September but there is a long-term strategy to pursue him, with the club believing the transfer may be more likely next summer.
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Neymar joined Barcelona from Santos in July 2013 for what was initially claimed to be a cool £48.6 million. He has since played 92 games, scoring 54 goals and contributing 26 assists as part of one of the most fearsome attacks in world football.
The Champions League winner's current contract runs until 2018.
Believability Meter: Low
We tried, but our believability meter won't go any lower than this.
Remember how Sergio Ramos was linked with Manchester United for what seemed like an eternity and then signed a lucrative new deal at Madrid?
Because that's exactly what’s going to happen at Barcelona with Neymar. As Jackson reported in his Guardian article: "While the forward's current terms expire in 2018, his consideration of a transfer from the all-conquering Barca side to United may be a ploy to extract the most lucrative new deal from the Catalan club."
Prepare yourselves, because these rumours will stick around for some time before the Brazilian declares his undying love for all things Barca and signs a mega-money extension with the Camp Nou club.
Southampton Calling for Virgil van Dijk?
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Virgil van Dijk continues to be connected with a move away from Celtic, with Southampton said to be preparing a bid to bring him to St. Mary's.
Speculation intensified when the Bhoys were knocked out of the Champions League in the playoff round by Malmo on Tuesday.
As David Hytner reported in the Guardian, the centre-back has said he would consider the "right opportunity" at another club:
"I'm not looking for anything. Celtic is a great place to be and they gave me the opportunity to show myself so I'm very thankful for that. But if the opportunity comes, and it's the right opportunity for me, then I'll consider it. That's what every player will do.
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Meanwhile, in the Daily Record, Craig Swan suggested Van Dijk may have already played his last game in a Celtic shirt and reported the Dutchman as saying, "There is a chance it could be my last appearance."
The 24-year-old has clocked up 114 appearances for Celtic since his switch from FC Groningen in July 2013.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
Van Dijk has seen his name linked with an exit from Parkhead on numerous occasions. In January, Sunderland, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were all said to be interested parties by the Scottish Daily Mail's Stephen McGowan.
The path from Glasgow to St. Mary's has been well trodden in recent seasons, with Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama both heading to the south coast from Celtic.
Van Dijk could conceivably be next. The Dutch connection between the player and manager Ronald Koeman could prove to be a draw, as could the opportunity to play in a more competitive league.
This is a move that could happen in the coming days.
West Bromwich Albion Favorites to Sign Charlie Austin
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West Bromwich Albion are the favorites to sign Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers, claimed Tony Banks and Ian Baker in the Express.
The striker would be a suitable replacement for Saido Berahino should he depart the Hawthorns for Tottenham Hotspur.
As reported by the pair in the Express:
"Spurs are determined to get their man after chasing Berahino all summer—and Albion are preparing to replace him.
Berahino now appears to have played his final game in West Brom colours after boss Tony Pulis suggested he was not in a fit state to play in the 3-2 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday.
Spurs are now expected to raise their offer to around £25m, with manager Mauricio Pochettino desperate to pair him with Harry Kane at White Hart Lane, and it appears to be a question of when rather than if the deal goes through.
Pulis is a fan of Austin, and West Brom are ready to make a move if Berahino does force his way out.
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Austin has picked up where he left off last season, scoring four goals in five Championship games for Queens Park Rangers in 2015/16.
Last term, the 26-year-old notched 18 Premier League goals in 35 games for the Hoops.
Already into the final year of his contract, Austin moved from Burnley to QPR in 2013.
Believability Meter: Low to Medium
West Brom seem to be digging their heels in regarding the sale of Berahino to Spurs, and Austin's mooted move hinges on that deal. This means there simply may not be enough time to wrap up all the necessary business before the window closes on September 1.
Leicester City, Everton and Newcastle United have also been credited with interest in Austin, as reported by Ben Fisher in the Guardian, yet no one has snapped him up.
West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan recently sparked controversy when he called the striker's fitness into question and ruled out meeting QPR's £15 million asking price, relayed by Jacob Steinberg in the Guardian.
Lots of links, lots of gossip but still no buyers. Honestly, we can see Austin remaining at QPR beyond September 1 and moving in January, when he will be available for considerably less. This, after scoring a hatful of goals in the Championship, of course.
Julian Draxler: Manchester United Enter the Frame
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Manchester United are "ready to step up their interest" in Schalke's Julian Draxler, claimed reports in Italy (h/t Bruce Archer in the Express).
Strongly rumored to be on his way to Juventus for most of the summer, the Italian club are said to be making an increased bid for the 21-year-old's services, per Goal, with personal terms already reportedly agreed.
However, with Arsenal and Chelsea also connected with Draxler, Archer reported United want to sign the Germany international as a result of their inability to land a marquee name this summer.
Elsewhere in the Express, James Cambridge relayed news from Transfer Market Web, which suggested Louis van Gaal's side are going to make an offer in the region of £20 million, with Juve said to have pulled out of the running for Draxler’s signature.
The Schalke attacker's current deal is set to run until 2018.
Believability Meter: Low
Draxler linked with a move to the Premier League—we've been here before, haven't we?
This time, the suitor may not be Arsenal, yet a move to United is just as unlikely.
Valued at £21.3 million by Schalke, according to the Guardian's Ed Aarons, there's more than enough in the Old Trafford coffers to make an attractive offer for the World Cup winner. But will they? We highly doubt it.
Call us cynics, but this appears to be just the latest in a a long list of names linked with the Manchester club this summer who, like most, won't arrive at Old Trafford.
Draxler to stay at Veltins-Arena is our bet.
David De Gea: Real Madrid Move Finally on
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David De Gea has been linked with a switch from Manchester United to Real Madrid all summer long, and now—just days before the summer transfer deadline—it looks like the goalkeeper's move may finally be on.
As Miguel Delaney reported for the Independent:
"Sources in Spain and Manchester say that Real Madrid are confident of completing the signing of De Gea on Sunday after a saga that has lasted all summer. United officials are in the Spanish capital to negotiate a move but had been hoping to make a last-ditch bid to include Gareth Bale in any deal.
Real, who are set to pay €40m (£29m) for De Gea, are said to have no interest in letting Bale go. De Gea agreed personal terms some time ago.
United seem unlikely to make any other outfield signings during this window, but they are hopeful of securing the signing of Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen as De Gea’s replacement.
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Elsewhere, Spanish publication AS (h/t Metro's Louis Sealey) claimed the 24-year-old will be unveiled as a Madrid player on Tuesday and that Real will pay United in the region of £30 million for his services.
In early August, another article in AS was relayed by the Observer, stating United manager Louis van Gaal asked the board at Old Trafford to sanction a De Gea departure.
The Spaniard has made 175 appearances for the Red Devils since his 2011 arrival from Atletico Madrid.
Believability Meter: High
Weeks ago, the B/R Gossip Roundup suspected a De Gea move would be on the cards this summer, and our opinion on his impending exit has continued to strengthen, considering that the stopper has not featured for United at all in 2015/16.
With Sergio Romero in goal for Van Gaal, rumours of Jasper Cillessen's arrival still swirling and less than 12 months remaining on his current contract, De Gea's time in Manchester looks to be up.
It's been a drawn-out affair—one we won't be sorry to see the back of.
Expect to see De Gea in classic thumbs-up pose on the Bernabeu turf within the next 48 hours.
Ezequiel Garay in Chelsea's Sights
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Chelsea have given up in their pursuit of John Stones from Everton, turning their attention instead to Ezequiel Garay.
The Zenit Saint Petersburg defender is said to be a target for the Blues, according to Jeremy Wilson in the Telegraph, who reported that Chelsea "now accept that Everton are serious in their intention to turn down any bid for Stones and they will be active in implementing their 'Plan B' this weekend."
Also named as a potential target was Tunisian defender Aymen Abdennour, who chose to swap Monaco for Valencia on Saturday, as reported by Adam Smith in the MailOnline.
This appears to leave Jose Mourinho's side in search of defensive recruits following their poor start to the 2015/16 campaign, in which they have conceded nine goals in four games and, at the time of writing, sit in 13th place.
Garay joined Zenit from Benfica in summer 2014 and has since won the Russian Premier League and made 49 appearances for the club.
He has four years remaining on his current deal at Petrovsky Stadium.
Believability Meter: Low to Medium
Chelsea's courtship of John Stones looks well and truly off, but there's every chance we will see a new centre-back pitching up at Stamford Bridge within the next few days.
ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney has claimed Mourinho's side have been in touch with Zenit regarding the sale of Garay during the past week and it's move that, on the face of it, looks unlikely—considering what an important player he has become at the Russian club and how long the 28-year-old has left on his contract.
In fact, just a few days ago, the Telegraph's Jason Burt reported on Zenit's insistence that the Argentina international is not for sale.
The only thing that makes us think Chelsea have a chance at signing Garay lies in the fact that there are now restrictions in the Russian Premier League that limit the amount of foreign players in any team, as seen in the Moscow Times.
That and the fact Garay and Mourinho share the same agent in Jorge Mendes.
All contract and player information comes from Transfermarkt.com unless indicated otherwise.
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