TRANSFER ROUNDUP: PSG Want Martial, Pochettino Target Polish Goalkeeper, And More
Arsenal Midfielder Considering Shock Offers From Manchester City And Tottenham
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta is considering shock offers from Premier League rivals Manchester City and Tottenham, according to The Daily Mail.
The Arsenal captain has spent most of the season injured, and with his contract with Arsenal set to expire this summer, the 34-year-old looks ready to hang his boots and move to the Gunners’ rivals – not as a player, but as a member of the coaching staff.
The Spaniard talked to The Daily Mail after playing Arsenal’s final league game of the season against Aston Villa, and stated: “I am going to leave (it open) by one per cent because in football one per cent is a lot and things can twist very quickly. But I have different options now to be related to football which I am very grateful for. It is very unusual to have opportunities at this level.
“As well, that made me think it was probably time (to retire) and the way I have been watching football in the last few months – or probably over a year – it was not as a player, it was more as a coach. Then you have to think about it.”
Arteta also confirmed that he has three options to kick-start his coaching career, which according to the British media, are coaching roles at Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
He said: “I don’t want to say clubs but I have three very different options and I am very proud because it is not common. I have so much respect for this club, what they think about me and what they have shown in the last few weeks that they want to do with me, that I cannot talk about any other things.”
Paris Saint-Germain Keen On Signing Anthony Martial
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen on signing Manchester United striker Anthony Martial.
Martial joined Manchester United from Monaco at the start of the season for a fee of £36 million. Due to the high amount, the 20-year-old was dubbed as a ‘waste of money’ by the English press and media before the Frenchman even set foot on Old Trafford. But on his United debut, the striker shut his critics up by scoring a fantastic goal – the goal that was voted as Manchester United’s Goal of the Season – against arch-rivals Liverpool, and the youngster has been proving his critics wrong consistently ever since, having scored 17 goals for the Red Devils over the season.
His top drawer performances have apparently attracted the interest of French Champions Paris Saint Germain. According to L’Equipe, PSG have contacted Anthony Martial’s representatives to discuss a potential summer transfer. The Paris based club are looking to replace their star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has left the club due to contract expiry. However, Martial has absolutely no intention of leaving United for PSG, despite the fact that there won’t be Champions League football at the Theatre of Dreams next season.
Mauricio Pochettino Identifies Hugo Loris’ Successor
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has identified Polish wonderkid Bartlomiej Dragowski as Hugo Loris’ long-term successor, as per The Sun.
According to the report, Spurs will not only bring in attacking reinforcements at White Hart Lane, but will also sign a goalkeeper for the future, to replace the current #1 Hugo Lloris when time comes. Manager Pochettino is targeting the 18-year-old Polish goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski, who is being tipped by many to have a great future.
It is being rumoured that the 6ft 3in tall youngster will come in and replace Michel Vorm as Tottenham’s second-choice keeper for next season. And although Dragowski is one of the most highly rated youngster in Europe, the Polish stopper is being valued at a mere £2m – an absolute bargain for Spurs if he does decide to move to the North London club.
Manchester United Interested In Sporting Lisbon’s Midfield Duo
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon’s Midfield Duo William Carvalho and Joao Mario, according to the Mirror.
Manchester United have been excessively scouting in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, as per reports. The Red Devils’ representatives spent most of the season scouting the former Benfica starlet Renato Sanches, who officially signed for Bayern Munich only last week. United have therefore turned their attention to Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho and Joao Mario to solve their midfield problems.
United need young and energetic midfielders to replace or balance out the ageing Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger, and they have identified Carvalho as well as Mario as potential targets. United representatives reportedly watched Sporting in their 1-0 victory over Moreirense to get further insight into the aforementioned midfield partnership. And as per the Sun‘s Andrew Richardson, Carvalho has been a target for the Old Trafford club for quite some time, whereas Mario has only emerged as a potential target “in recent weeks”.
