TRANSFER ROUNDUP: Eighteen Clubs Want Ben Arfa, Mario Balotelli Off To La Liga, And More
Manchester United Legend Urges The Club To Sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has urged the club to complete the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer, making him the hottest free agent in the upcoming transfer window. The Swede has been linked with potential moves to clubs all over the world, including the Premier League, Serie A, Chinese Super League, and the MLS, just to name a few.
However, the club Zlatan has been linked to most frequently has been Manchester United, with several reports claiming a reunion between the star forward and the ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho at the Theatre of Dreams is very likely. The Red Devils’ goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel has added fuel to the fire, by publicly urging the club to sign the 34-year-old striker up.
Schmeichel stated: “I read about Ibrahimovic in the newspapers. I would love for him to come to Manchester United, I’ve said this for a long time. He was born to play for Manchester United. He’s like an Eric Cantona, who can inspire all the guys in the dressing room but also the supporters. That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about having a Sunday nap at Old Trafford.”
RCD Espanyol Make An Offer To Sign Liverpool Striker Mario Balotelli
RCD Espanyol have made an offer to sign Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, as per Catalan radio station RAC.
Balotelli’s loan spell at Milan has been far from good, having only scored one Serie A goal in 20 appearances this season. And according to the rumours that were circulating around on Tuesday, Liverpool have offered Mario Balotelli to AC Milan on a permanent deal in exchange for their French starlet M’Baye Niang. This offer was, however, ‘point blank refused’ by the Italian giants.
There have also been reports suggesting Espanyol have made an offer for the 25-year-old Italian striker. Spanish outlet Fichajes have also reported about Espanyol’s interest in the Italian. The Spanish club intend to sign Balotelli on a free loan, but are prepared to pay his wages.
Balotelli, however, wishes to extend his stay at the San Siro, as per his interview with Mediaset Premium, wherein he stated: “What I want is certainly to stay at Milan. I was not happy at Liverpool and I do not want to go back there.”
Los resultados y los goles llegan solo con trabajo y más trabajo!! #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/5j8iDi9Tie
— Álvaro Morata (@AlvaroMorata) September 15, 2015
Arsenal Readying A Record Bid For Juventus’ Alvaro Morata
Arsenal are believed to be preparing a record bid for Juventus striker Alvaro Morata so as to strengthen their attack.
Juventus are keen on retaining Morata’s services, but the Spaniard’s future largely depends on his former club Real Madrid, as per Juventus general director Guiseppe Marotta. Marotta was quoted as saying: “Morata’s future doesn’t solely depend on Juventus despite our desire for him to remain here, but the outcome of the conversations with Real Madrid will dictate his future.”
Real Madrid are reportedly favourites to sign Morata by triggering the buy-back clause they have in his contract, which would enable the Spanish giants to re-sign the 23-year-old for a fee of €30 million. Real then plan on making a profit by further selling the striker for a higher price. And as per reports in Italy, the Los Blancos are currently in negotiations with Premier League giants Arsenal, who are ready to offer £51 million for the forward. If this move does take place, it will break Arsenal’s current record transfer signing of Mesut Ozil from Read Madrid, which took place in 2013 for a fee of £42.5 million.
Hatem Ben Arfa Claims 18 Clubs Are Interested In Him
Nice midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has claimed that 18 clubs are interested in signing him this summer.
Ben Arfa has managed to revive his career following a move to Ligue 1 outfit Nice, where he has scored 17 goals to help the club finish fourth in the league, attracting the interest of numerous other clubs. And with his contract set to expire this summer, the former Newcastle United man will be one of the hottest free agents in the market in the upcoming transfer window.
The Frenchman has been mainly linked with a move to FC Barcelona due to Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere’s comments stating the Catalan giants were considering signing the 29-year-old. However, other big clubs such as Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the attacking midfielder.
Ben Arfa himself, though, has given a proper insight about the number of clubs interested in signing him. He told ‘Le Journal du Festival’ on Canal Plus: “For the moment, there are 18 very interesting clubs. But I’ve already sorted through them and now I’m targeting three of them. It’s a very important decision for me to take this year. I’m going to think about it and discuss it with the people close to me.”
Manchester United Renew Their Interest In Ezequiel Garay
Manchester United have renewed their interest in signing Zenit St. Petersburg centre-back Ezequiel Garay, as per Italian website Calciomercato.
Garay joined Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg for a fee of £4 million in the summer of 2014. And despite being an important member of Zenit’s back line ever since, the Argentinian may be set to leave the club this summer. Zenit are reportedly looking to offload many of their star players due to their high wage demands, which the club can no longer afford due to their failure to qualify for next term’s UEFA Champions League, thanks to a third place finish in the Russian Premier League this season.
Manchester United have emerged as one of the potential destinations for the 30-year-old if he does leave Russia this summer. United have shown an interest in signing Garay since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, but a deal has failed to materialize so far. Garay’s current contract with Zenit lasts until 2019, which will therefore command a fee of around £19 million, which the Red Devils could easily afford given their financial resources. A few clubs from the Spanish La Liga as well as the Italian Serie A have also shown interest in the centre-back.