Barcelona plot Ramsey bid
Arsenal fans still stinging from the loss of Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry to Barcelona in recent years (and also Thomas Vermaelen…) could be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu on Friday.
The Daily Mirror are one of several papers suggesting the Catalan club will make a big-money move for Aaron Ramsey when their transfer ban is lifted in January 2016.
A £50m price tag has been mooted for the Welshman, who could fill the gap left by Xavi when the Barca captain leaves for Qatari club Al-Sadd.
Dani Alves wants Premier League switch
Xavi isn’t the only player waving goodbye to Camp Nou this summer, with Dani Alves expected to leave on a free transfer – alerting a handful of Premier League clubs to his availability.
Spanish newspaper Marca reports that the Brazilian has broken off contract talks with Barca, and this could pave the way for one of the two Manchester clubs to move for the 32-year-old.
United are after a replacement for out-of-favour Rafael, while City seem to just enjoy bringing in experienced right-backs the wrong side of 30.
After it worked so well with Maicon and Bacary Sagna, who could blame them? Oh, right. Well, third time lucky perhaps…
United target Schweinsteiger
Just days after Steven Gerrard played his last game at Anfield, The Telegraph are reporting that another top European midfielder could be set to end his status as a one-club man.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been locked in contract negotiations with Bayern Munich for some time, and it now appears that Manchester United could pounce in a cut-price deal.
Louis van Gaal worked with the World Cup winner when Bayern reached the 2010 Champions League final, and it’s thought Schweinsteiger may be open to a reunion.
Spurs to cut losses on Lamela
Much was expected of Erik Lamela when Tottenham made him their record signing two years ago, but it hasn’t quite worked out for the Argentine.
According to The Daily Mail, he could now be set to join Juventus for £25m, with a return to Italy probably his best option.
If the man heralded as the ideal replacement for Gareth Bale does leave, expect Spurs to spend the transfer fee on five or six players who aren’t really what they need…
Best of the rest
*Liverpool are prepared to let Lucas Leiva move on, just two years short of his testimonial, with Inter Milan waiting in the wings (Daily Mirror)
*Inter’s pursuit of Yaya Toure is still alive, though Manchester City are reportedly yet to receive an offer for the midfielder (The Times)
*Jonny Evans may have played his last game for Manchester United, with Tottenham and Everton considering a summer move for the centre-back (Manchester Evening News)
*Sunderland are looking at Celtic striker Nir Biton, and will hope not to be…ahem…Biton to the signing (The Daily Record)
